The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-07
THE UNION.

III.
Representatives, 10 settle it, asked Tor acommgee
OF thirteen and committee OF thirteen was granie1 70
me, representing all the old States OF the Union. lhal
committee met presented 10 that Committee fesoiu
ton. which was adopted BY il and reported 70 tpe
House, not unlike the one to which VIII presently eau
The attention Of the Senate We should have carried
through the House but for the votes OF M Randolph,
OF Virginia. Mr. Edwards. OF North Carolina, anq M.
Burton, Of North Carolina think, OF The hIee no
longer living Those three southern votes Were an cas-
against the compromise proposed 10 the committee OF
thirteen by myself as chairman OF that committees ana
they defeated il. ri,
greatest anxiety prevailed The country unsettled
men were unhappy. There was large majority IN the
House ihen-a hope and trust there now large ma
ton and settlement OF the question could have any col
lateral question passed which pleased. except that when
II came to the vote, by ayes and unfortunately
occasion for it-ihere were but few Curtiuses and
Leonidases, ready TO risk themselves for the safety
and honor of the country But endeayored 70 ayail
myself as much as could. of the good feeling that
prevailed; and after some days had elapsed, brought
forward another proposition, and new one, perfectly
unpacsed upon the coupry before OF since SO Tar as
know. proposed Joint committee OF the two houses
that of the House consisted OF % MEMBERS that OF the
Senate OIL do not recollect precisely how many but
Of proper number to meet the committee Of the House
and that this committee be appointed by ballot Al that
time Mr. Taylor, of New York was in the chair and Mr.
Taylor had been the very man who had first proposed the
restriction upon Missouri that she should only be admit
ted under the provisions Of the ordinance Of l7s7
proposed therefore, that the committee should be chosen
by ballot Well sir, my motion was carried by large
Of the House asking--who. Mr.. Clay, do you want
| to serve with you upon that committee! venture
to say that there happened upon that occasion what
would hardly happen again eighteen OF the twenty
three elected upon the first ballot and OF the re.
naming five, having the largest number 81 votes but not
dispense With further baoiing and 10 take those five
gentlemen who had received the greatest number Of votes
with the eighteen actually elected to compose the com
1 Livermore, OF New Hampshire and one or two other
northumberland, and very much 70 my regret, and
somewhat 10 my annoyance. the lamented MT Randolph
4 and other gentleman placed in their situation.
forget whether that done by ballot or by the Speak
er The Senate Immediately agreed to the proposition,
We met II was in this hall. upon the Sabbath day,
within two three days Of the close OF the session,
when the whole nation listening with breathless
anxiety for some final and healing measure upon that
distracting subject We met here, and upon that day
/ The moment we met, Mr.. Randolph made suggestion
which knew would be attended with the greatest EN-
two committees OF the two houses met together, the
chairman of the committee OF the House, who was my
self, had right to preside He was about insisting at
length upon that proposition, that the chairman OF
the committee OF the House should preside over both
committees when blended togeher-shoud be the pre-
s q e9 instantly al,
er mode, but thought that the chairman OF the commit
tee Of each house should preside his own commit
ee and when the committee OF either branch had adopt
ed proposition, i should be submitted to the committee
Of the other branch and il they also agreed to it, then it
should be reported back TO the two houses with the rec
ommendation of both committees. That mode was
agreed upon, and Mr. Holmes, ! think il was, from
Maine, presided The committee Of the Senate lf
could be said 70 preside 2. ALI when took more
of it; and when, al this session, was thought to
iest desire rather to take too much eadPresded
proposition which will read presently, and appeal
ed to the members OF the committee, il may the
expression Now, gentlemen, said |, we do not want a
proposition carried here by small majority, thereqpon
voted y the House and rejected. I am for something
PRACTICAL something conclusive something decisive upon
1 the question How will you vote Mr. A. How will you
vote, Mr.. b. How will you vote, Mr.. Y. appealed
in that way TO the gentlemen Of the North To my very
great happiness, sufficient number OF them responded
afrmaivey to my question whether they wond vote Tor
continued TO vote in that wayof which had not par
ticc of doubtn the House should carry the propo
position Accordingly. that proposition having been
agreed upon by both committees reported by to
our respective houses where II was hnay adopted and
here it is:
stopped. stating that it not that 10 which be referred
He had requested friend obtain for him, and sup
posed that he had procured it, but there seemed 10 have
been error messenger wen, in search OF the volume
/ containing the resolution and Mr. CLAY proceeded
That resolution, said was finally adopted, Probably
can state, without reading it, what its provisions are
II declares that IL there be any provision in the consu
ton OF Missouri incompatible with the constitution Of
the United States, the Stale Of Missouri shall iorbear
enforce that repugnant provision in that constitution and
that she shall, by solemn and authentic act, declare
that she will not enforce any provision in her consu,
ton incompatible with the constitution OF the United
Staes and upon the passage OF such solemn and au
thentc act the President OF the United Sateswho
/ Mr. Monroe at that tme-shall make proclamation OF
the fact and hereupon, and without any further legisa
ton of Congress, Missouri shall be admitted into the
| Union.
Now sir want to call your attention to thus period OF
our history and to the transactions during the progress
OF this discussion in Congress During the discussions
in the House, from day to day and from night TO night
for they frequently into the Might've, who were Tor
admitting Missouri into the Union said to our brethren
from the North, Why, gentlemen there be any provision
in that constitution Of Missouri which Is repugnant to
the constitution OF the United States. il is nullty The
constitution Of the United States by virtue OF IFS own
operation vndicates itself There is not tribunal upon
EARTH il the question should be brought before them. but
would pronounce the constitution OF the United States
paramount and must pronounce as invalid any repugnant
provision in the constitution OF Missouri. Sir, that argu
ment turned and twisted and used in every possible
variety Of form; but all was in vain An inexble ma
Jorty stuck out to the last against the admission OF Mis-
sour, until the resolution offered and passed.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD, at the request OF Mr.. Clay, read
the resolution as follows:
Reouion providing for the admission Of the S,atoof Mis-
souri, into the Union certain condition.
sofred by the Senate and House of Representative Of the
United States Of America CoHgress assembled That Ms
souri, shall be admitted into this Union equal footing
with the original States 10 all respects Whatever the
undamsn condition, that the fourth clause of the twenty
sixth OF the third article OF the constitution submitted
the part oil said State to Congress- shall never be
l.