The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-13
light, but duty to adopt the Missouri compromise


Wllinot proyiSo, which was nothing but a clause OF
the ordinance of l7S7 adopted by the House as
an amendment TO the proposition TO purchase the
country, and a condition. by a large major
ity, il was expressed, that if territory was pur
chased or acquired from Mexico, slavery should be
prohibited. From that day to this IL has never been
the understanding that the Missouri compromise
line should be extended; and after the country
acquired, bill was brought III to establish
territorial government for California, and the Will
mot proviso incorporated into il. The House had
voted, before and after the country acquired,
that portion should be slave territory.
Mr.. THOMPSON, Of Mississippi, yentured the
assertion, that 50 far as his own party were con-
cerned, they understood from the beginning to the
end, that the line was 10 be applied. The Texas
controversy settled by prohibiting slavery north
of thirty six thirty. The South yielded to this as
an understanding. Immediately after, territorial
government asked for Oregon. The gentle
man from Massachusetts (Nlr WINTHRoP) moved
the slavery restriction the ground that the Mis-
souri, compromise line run TO the Pacific ocean; 1t
was acted on, aud he voted for it, because he
thought the Missouri compromise required II. He
never heard of the Wmot proviso until we were
involved in the war. II was an after thought, and
in bad taste. Gentlemen of the North have got
their part Of the country, and if they do not extend
the line they will fail To act III good faith.
MIR. ROOT said that, if any thing under
stood, it this: that, if any territory should be
acquired, by conquest or treaty, the North would
insist ON its being made free. The gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. STEpHENs) said at the time, that
strife would cnsuc, and the consequent agitation
would shake the Union TO its centre; and the gen
tleInan from Tennessee (Mr. GENrRY) predicted
| that the North would take this ground. And Is
this bad faith1 The Missouri compromise voted
| down half dozen times and the Wilmot proviso
passed by large majority.
MIR. BAYLY remarked that, he understood
| the fact, he regarded it merely declarations of
| individual members, which only committed the
gentlemen themselves. As early the winter of
1916 and 1916, when the resolutions for the annex
alton Of Texas were pending, Congress, the Presi-
| dent, the Government, committed themselves, de-
claring that the anti-savery provision should not
extend south of thrty-six thirty. Beyond that, it
understood that If territory should be acquired,
slavery To be excluded only north Of the line.
| He undertook TO say that the dominant party took
the ground of nonin Intervention with regard to sla
| very; real on-intcrvcntion not spurious
| Mr.. MEADE said it was unnecessary to inquire
| for what purpose indemnity was obtained. An
nexation of Texas was the cause of the war with
Mexico BY reference to the journals it would be
| found that the North was as deeply implicated in
the war as the South. 1t was to open new
| ket for her manufactures. He dehed gentlemen to
| point out any advantages which the South had re-
ceived from the annexation. On the contrary, an
other State, rival IN the great southern staples,
| was aGded to the Union. When the resolutions of
annexation were pending, it was agreed that the
| Missouri compromise line should be extended, and
| this was done for the sake of peace, in 1920.
Where is the Indemnity for the past and security
for the future" for which the war waged, if
the South are to be excluded from thcindcmnty of
territory obtained? If gentlemen would go with
|
hazard and to the last extremity.
Mr.. STEPHENS, of Georgia, believed that there
was no understanding about this Territory. He
was against the from rinciple. He looked
| upon II as aggression towards a neighboring
public He opposed To the acquisition, because
lie torosaw the evil which it would bring upon the
country. At the time to which allusion has been
made, he offered resolution declaring that the
war should be brought TO a close, hunorably to the
nation, without territory. He believed that every
Wing voted with him. He took the position that
he would not touch, taste, nor handle the unclean
thing" lie looked upon II as a curse; and he APP
pcaled to members to forcgo their lust for terri
tory, lest they might look back e. a future period
on the fragments q a glorious Constitution. For
MS co9rSse 4 =, I547, he denounced ga Next
eau Wing" and was with others, charged by the
late Executive and his friends with "giving aid
and comfort TO the enemy ~ The North said that
the territory should be free, and the South said il
should be slave. gentleman from South Carolina
offered the Missouri compromise, and 1t was voted
down. lie then unwilling to give dollar for
Mexican territory, unless the difficulty arising
from the slavery question could be first settled.
Mr. ORR advocated the application of the Mis-
souri, Compromise line. The South ask the North
TO do in instance what the South have done
in two. If you exclude US, he said, am not
willing to submit. trust my people will not sub
init to it, IL they acquiescc patiently, for one
will shake her dust from my feet AS the gentle
man from Alabama, (Mr. HUBDARD) remarked,
We intend TO have portion of this land "peaceaby
il we can, lorcibly il We must"
Mr.. MORSE desired TO say 10 the gentleman
from Georgia (Mr. STEPHESs) that il would be in
much better taste, and would much better sustain
the rights OF the people, 20 stand by some partcu-
lar measure 10 give peace 10 the country, instead
Of endeavoring TO fix responsibility party, ON
this vital question. He sustained the war, while
others sought 10 paralyzc the arms of those en-
gagged IN the conflict He trusted 70 the honor OF
his countrymen to any benefit which would re-
suit. The Wings feared that glory would inure To
the late lamented James X. Polk, and willing
10 let the country be disgraced, that they could
elect 10 the Presidency their successful military
chief
MIR. AvERETT said that this was not the first
time that he had heard these prophets e1caiming,
IL told you so" abiding to what was said before
the territory was acquired. And he called atten-
ton To the TACT that we in the midst OF rcvo-
luton, when VIC cannot stand up to the honor and
interests OF the people.
Mr.. VAN DYKE said that hc intended TO make
no speech, but, desiring a vote, he would renew the
amendment. [It had been offered and rc-ofiered
by the gentleman who had spoken.l
Mr.. THOMPSON, OF Mississippi, asked the
gentleman 10 withdraw the amendment, promising
TO offer IL.
MIR. VAN DYKE, at the request Of friends, did
not acquiesce.
Mg. CALDWELL, of Kentucky, moved that the
committee rise but the motion disagreed
to-ayes %, noes 90
The question was tai en- on the anendment-that
originally offered by Mr.. Seldom, extending the
Missouri compromise, for the that the bene-
fts heretofore have been alone realized by tho non
| slavehoIding statcs-and Il was disagreed to-
ayes o., noes 1903.
Mr.. MCQUEEN moved that the committee rise;
and the committee refused-aycs 20, noes 49,
Mr.. STANTON, of Tennessee, offered an aIuend-
ment:
"PrOUided, h0tDepo, That il shall be objection
TO the admission into the Union Of any State which
shall hereafter be formed Of the territory lying
south Of the parallel Of latitude Of thirty six degrees
thirty minutes, that the constitution Of said State
may authorize OF establish African slavery there
in"
This lac said, contained the very spirit Of the Mis-
souri, compromise line, which the faith ofthc North
and the South have been pledged The wilmot pro-
/ visO u true, adopted by the House, but
never by the Senate. DO gentlemen know whether
| il will be sanctioned by the President Can evil
| dence be produced 30 satisfy gentlemen that the
Wilmot prOvisO will ever be enacted into law? II
repudiatcd in the earlier part Of the session.
! IA voice: MOL II was laid on the table. When
! tbe southern States excluded from any par
ticpaton in the territory, he should be ready 10
/ walk out.
Mr.. seldom made appeal 10 the patriotism
/ Of gentlemen. The contest should be who shall
carry the banner Of tho republic the highest What
] he had sad and which had been commented on,
/ that there WA an original "A thai