Democratic banner., 1849-07-16

alarming consequences and that all such
efforts have an inevitable tendency to d.
minish the happiness Of the people, and en-.
danger the stability and permanency of the
Union; and ought not to be c~ountensnced
by any friend of our political iustitd'
~tions."
This has been our doctrine for years
iyes, many years, without dissent in the par.
ty, or even with the wings, as far as I have
learned their opinions in this State and
now, for the first time, the principles it pro-
claims, are attacked.
Not that any attack is made on this reso-
Tuition itself. Oh no. That would be an
Inconsistency too glaring. : But its princi-
pies are attacked, by dedouncing the Reso-
~lutions Of the Legislature. Now | assert,
without the fear Unsuccessful contradiction,
that the one is just as pointed against the
Proviso as the other and the ONE tends to
promote disunion as much as the other
Both seek TO accomplish the same thing, and
that is TO induce Congress to letthe subject
of slavery alone.
The second Resolution declares a princi-
Pile of Justice, with regard to ALL PROPER
TY, and not merely slaves, so palpable and
so manifest, that any comment upon it would
be useless. The third one is the compro-
mise resolution, and shows the willingness
of the State to adhere to the compromise
made in 1920.
We would acquiesce in this, for the rea-
sons already statedin the former part of my
argument: and there is then no conflict be-
tween this, and the instructions given at a
former session of the Legislature. Both in
structions would acquiesce in the compro-
mise, on condition that the north would ad-
here to it in good faith. But surely, it will
not be urged that we should abide by the
terms of the compromise, after it is repudi-
ated by the opposite party! Unjust be OBJ
ligatory on both parties, or it is obligatory
on neither. And in this connection, it may
be necessary for me to make a short per-
sonal explanation. You have doubtless seen
in some of the papers,, a charge made a.
gainst Mr.. Atchison for having voted aginst
the passage of the Oregon Bill, and alleg-
ing that vote of his, to be in disobedience
to the instructions of the Legislature. The
publication was made against Nh. Atchison;
but as l also voted against the Bill, it will
apply to me, as much as it does to him
The circumstance of that case are as fol-
lows: A Bill to organize a government in
Oregon, was reported to the House, with a
section in it forever prohibiting & excluding
slavery. This was done, after the proviso-
lists Of the north had shown a pre-determina-
ton to prohibit slavery in all the territories.
When the Bill came up for consideration, a
motion was made to amend the proviso Sec
ton, so as to put it on the grounds of the
Missouri compromise. We all voted for
that proposition, and endeavored to carry it;
but the Provisoists cOted ii dopn, and ut
|tery repudiated the compromise, evincing
a fixed and unalterable purpose, to apply
the proviso to the Th0le Of the territories.
This being the case, when the Bill was put
upon its passage, having the proviso in it, 1
voted against it, proviso and all together.
| was determined not to be bound BY com.
promise when it was completely annulled
by the north. That was my course, and I
believed it was in accordance with the will
of my constituents end | believe so vet.
When the Bill went to the Senate, the
Missouri compromise applying to the terri
tories was inserted by amendment, in heu
of The prOuiso. 1t then came back to the
House, and | voted to agree to the Senate's
amendment, as did all the South; but the
Provisoists voted it down again. The Bill
then went back to the Senate, and on mo.
ton Of Mr.. Benton the Senate receded from
their amendment, thereby leaving the Pro-
viso in full force; and then on its final pas
sage, ] believe Mr.. Atchison voted against
it. This is a brief history of what took
place, which | have deemed it proper to
state in justification of my W course on
the Oregon Bill.
But to proceed; the fourth Resolution de-
clsres the right of the people, in framing a
State government. to act for themselves,
and to adopt or reject the institution of sla-
very, according to their own will and plea
sure. 1t leaves them flee and untrammel-
ed, TO choose or refuse, without any restraint
or coercion, direct or indirect. / cannot,
think any friend of the rights Of self gov
eminent will complain Of this sentiment
1t is just the sentiment democracy teaches,
and embraces the principle to which we all
subscribe. The last resolution is the one
however, which is regarded as TENDING to