Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-02-02

part of any Northern State TO arrest or suppress
the means by which they propose to accom-
plish it. They have been = 1itted to pursue
their object, and to use y. >ateyer means they
please; if without aid or countenance, also
without resistance or dlsapprobation. What
gives deeper shade TO the whole affair is the
fact, that one OF the means to effect their OBJ.
ject, that of exciting discomfort among our
| slaves, tends directly to subvert what IFS pre-
amble declares TO be one OF the ends for which
the constitution was ordained and established
g to insure domestic tranquility"-and that
| in the only way in which domestic tranqulli-
| ty is likely ever TO be disturbed in the South.
Certain il is. that an agitation 50 systematic
having such an object in view, and sought to
be carried into execution by such means
would, between two independent nations.
constitute lust cause of remonstrance by the
party against which the aggression was dlrec-
! ted. and, if not needed, an appeal to arms for
redress. Such being the case where an ag-
gression of the kind takes place among indie
pendent nations, how much more aggravated
must it be between confederated States, where
the Union precludes an appeal to arms, while
it affords medium through which it can op
crate with vastly increased force and effect j?
| That it would be perverted TO such a use, new
er entered into the Imagination of the genera
ton which formed and adopted the constitu-
ton; and, if il had been supposed it would.
| it is certain that the South never would have
| adopted it.
We now return to the question of the ad
mission of Missouri into the Union, and shall
proceed TO give brief sketch of the occur
rences connected with it, and the consequent
ces to which it has directly led. In the latter
part of 1919, the then territory of Missouri
applied 10 Congress, in the usual form, for
leave to form State constitution and govern
ment, in order to be admitted into the Union
A bill was reported for the purpose, with the
usual provisions in such cases. Amendments
were offered, having for their object 10 make
it condition Of her admission, that her con-
sttution should have provision to prohibit
slavery This brought on the agitating de-
bate which, With the effects that followed, has
done so much 10 ALLEVIATE the south and north,
and endanger our political institutions. Those
who objected 10 the amendments, rested their
opposition on the high grounds of the right of
self-governmen.. They claimed that terri.
tory, having reached the period when it is
proper for it to form a constitution and gov
eminent for itself, becomes fully vested with
all the rights of self government and that
even the condition imposed on it by the fede-
raj constitution, relates not TO the formation
of It's constitution and government, but its ad-
mission into the Union. For that purpose, il
provides as condition, that the government
must be republican.
They claimed that Congress has no right 10
add to this condition, and that to assume ii
would be tantamount to the assumption of the
right to make its entire constitution and gov
| ont. limit In
to the extent OF the right, if ii be admitted thai
it exists at all. Those who supported the a.
mendment denied these grounds, and claimed
The right of Congress 10 impose, at discretion
what conditions it pleased. In this agitating
debate, the two sections stood arrayed against
each other; the South in favor of the bill with
ont amendment, and the North opposed TO il
without it. The debate and agitation contin-
ned until the session was we'll advanced but
it became apparent towards the close, that the
people of Missouri were fixed and resolved in
| their opposition TO the proposed condition, and
that they would certainly re ect it, and adopt
a constitution without it, should the bill pass
with the condition. Such being the case, il
required no great effort of mind to perceive
that Missouri once in possession of a consti-
tuition and government, not simply on paper,
but with legislators elected. and officers ap.
pointed, to carry them into effect, the grave
questions would be presented, whether she
was of right a State or Territory and, if the
latter, whether Congress had the right, and, il
the right, the power, to abrogate her constitu-
ton, disperse her legislature. and to remand
her back to the territorial condition.
These were great, and, under the crcum-
stances, fearful questions-too fearful to be
met by those who had raised the agitation
From that lime the only question was how tc
escape from the difficulty. Fortunately, 3
means was afforded. A compromise Gas il
was calleaD was offered, based on the terms
that the North should cease to oppose the ad
mission of Missouri on the grounds for which
the South commended, and that the provisions
Of the ordnance of 1887, for the government
of the northwestern territory, should be ap.
piled to all the territory acquired by the Uni
ted States from France under the treaty o.
Louisiana lying ~I.orth of So 80, except the
portion lying in the State of Missouri. The
northern members embraced it; and although
not originating with them, adopted it as the
, own. It was forced through Congress by the
almost united votes of the North, against {
minority consisting almost entirely of mem
bers from The Southern States.
Such was the termination of this, the frs
conflict, under the constitution, between thC
two sections, in reference to slavery in con
| necton with the territories Many hailed i
| as permanent and final adjustment tina
would prevent the recurrence of similar con
f1icts; but others, less sangune, took the op
: poste and more gloomy view, regarding it al
The precursor of train of events which Nigh
, rend the Union asunder, and PROSTATE our pc
litical system. One of these was the expert
enced and sagacous Jefferson Thus far
time would seem 10 favor his forebodings.-
May a returning sense of justice. and pro
tecting Providence, avert their final fulfill
ment
For many years the subject of slavery il
reference to the territories ceased to agitatt
the country. Indications, however, connected
with the question of annexing Texas, shove!
, clearly that it was ready to break out again
with reloubled violence, on some future occa
: sion The difference in the case of Texa
was adjusted by extending the Missouri com
promise line of SO 80, from its terminus, OF
the western boundary of the Louisiana pur
chase, to the western boundary of Texas
The agitation again ceased for a short period
The war with Mexico soon followed, ant
, that. terminated in the acquisition of New
Mexico and Upper California. embracing al
area equal to about one half OF the entire val
r ley of the Mississippi. If to this we add tn
portion of Oregon acknowledged to be our
t by the recent treaty with England. our who'll
O Il n - ! T Il Il