The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-31

diately. What more? During the first session Of
the first Congress of the United States, under this
new Constitution, this same Northwestern ordi-
nance, with its anti slavery clause, was soemnly
recognised and re-enacted. This is a fact never
before noticed to my knowledge, and one to which
beg the attention Of the House. Here is the eighth
act of the first session of the first Congress- Listen
to the preamble:
"'Whereas in order that the ordinance of the
United States, in Congress assembled for the gov
ernment of the territory northwest of the river
Ohio may continue to haze tA effect, it is requisite
that certain provisions should be made, to
adapt the same to the present Constitution of the
United States
".Be IL enacted &c.
"Then follow few formal changes in regard to
the governor and other officers The sixth article
OF the ordinance remains untouched. Mr.. Madi-
son was member of this first Congress, as were
many others OF those most distinguished in franz
ing the new Constitution. And this bill passed both
branches without objection and without any dvis-
ion, except upon some immaterial amendments.
'Here, then, we find the very trainers of the Con
stituton themselves, in the first year of its adoption,
applying the principle of the Vimot wouiso to all
the territories which the General Government then
possessed, without compromise To latitude or
longitude. These territories were much the fruit
OF the common sacrifices, common tolls, and COM
mon blood of all the States, as any which can be
conquered from Mexico. They were the joint and
common property of the several States. The ordi-
nance was unanimously adopted in 1887, and was
re-enacted unanimously in 1889. Madison, who
had questioned the authority of the Congress of the
Confederation to pass it originally voted for it him
self in the Congress of the Constitution, and all his
colleagues from the slaveholding States voted for
il with him. Sir, if the constitutonality of such
act can now be disputed, know not what principle
of the Constitution can be considered settled.
81 have said that regarded this principle as
emlnently conservative, as well as entirely const-
tutional do believe, sir, that whenever the prn-
ciple of this propso shall be rrevocably established,
shall be considered Interchangeable as the laws of
the Medes and Persans, then, and not till then,
norm mt xyifh ofh harr mt rips
and liked boundaries for our own country. IL is
plain that there are two parties in the free States.
Both oi them are -uncompromsingly OPP
posed, as hope and believe-to the extension of
slavery. One of them, however, and that the par
ty OF the present administration for the widest
extension OF territory, subject to the anti-slavery
provso. The other of them, and that the party to
which have the honor to belong, are, as believe,
content with the Union as IL is, desire no annexa-
ton of new States, and are utterly opposed to the
prosecution OF this war for any purpose of dismem
bering Mexico. Between these two parties in the
free States the South holds the balance of power.
1t may always hold it. If now, therefore, it will
join in putting end to this war, and in arrestng
the march of conquest upon which our armies have
entered the limits of the republic as well as the
limits of slavery may be finally established
1t Is in this view that believe the principle Of
the Wilmot prouiso to be the great conservative
principle of the day; and it is in this view that
desire to place it immutably upon our statute
books. The South has cause to be jealous OF
such movement from our side Of the House. The
South should rather welcome 1.-THE whole country
should welcome it-as overture of domestic
peace.
'.Sir much as j deplore the war in which are
involved-deeply as l regret the whole policy OF
annexation-if the result of these measures should
be to ingra the policy of this proviso permanently
should regard it a blessing cheaply purchased.
Good would, indeed, have been brought out OF evil;
and should be almost ready TO say with the great
dramatist of old England
III after every tempest comes such calm,
Let the winds blow till they have wakened
death
"Ycs, sir, in that event, instead of indulging il
any more jeers and taunts upon the Lone Star o
Texas, we might rather hail il the star of hope
and promise, and peace; and might be moved tc
apply to 1t the language Of another great English
poet
'Fairest of stars last in the train Of night,
If rather thou belong'st not to the dawn.
"If we could at last lay down permanently the
boundary of our Republic-if we could feel that we
had extingufshed forever the lust of extended do
minion in the bosoms of the American people-ii
we could present that old god TERMINUS, of whom
we have heard such eloquent mention elsewhere,
not with out-stretched arm still pointing TO new
Territories In the distance, but with limbs Topped
of, as the Romans sometimes represented him, be-
tokening that he had reached his very furthest
goal-if We could be assured that our limits were
to be no further advanced, either by purchase or
conquest, by fraud by force-then, then VIC
n
perpetuation of our Union.
at is in this spirit that voted for the proviso in
the Three Million bill Itis in this spirit that offer
the third provlso 10 the Thirty Million bill before
us. Pass them both-cut off, by one and the same
stroke all idea both of the extension of slavery and
the extension of territory-and shall neither
need the three millions, the thirty millions
securing peace and harmony, both at home and
abroad. :"
Mr.. Chairman know not but that might be
induced TO abate something Of the ambitious rhct.
oric of these remarks, if were making the speech
over again; but do not desire 10 change jot or
title OF their substantial matter adhere, this day
To all the sentiments and all the principles Of that
speech; and, so far they applicable 10 the
present moment and TO existing circumstances,
and so far as may consist with the paramount duty
which owe 10 the peace and the union of my coun-
try, intend TO shape my course with view of
carrying them out TO their practical fulfilment
have long ago made up my mind that, what
ever prospect there may be OF adjusting and recon
Cling the conflicting interests and claims of differ
ent portions Of the Union, there is prospect aud
no possibility, Of harmonizing their discordant
opinions. Certainly, sir, neither labored argu-
ments, nor heated appeals, nor angry menaces !;
neither threats Of fdisorgsnization here Of con
ventions elsewhere, have done any thing towards
accomplishing such a result. 80 far az am con-
cerned.
bold now, as held three years ago that II is
entirely constitutional for Congress 20 apply the
principles Of the ordinance OF 1857 10 any territory
which may be added TO the Union.
hold now, as held then, that the South have
no right TO complain Of such application Of these
principles by those Of who have declared this
doctrine in advance, and who have steadily opposed
all acquisition Of territory
hold now, as held then, that their reproaches
and fulminations ought TO be exclusively reserved
for those among themselves, and for their allies in
other parts OF the country, who have persisted in
bringing this territory into the Union, with the
distinct understanding that il was " 10 furnish the
subject Of n's great domestic struggle"
hold now, too, as / held then, that one Of the
greatest advantages of engraftng these principles
unchangcaby upon national policy, would
be To extinguish the spirit of annexation and con.
quest IN the region where we all must acknowledge
that 1t has ever been most rife and thus to secure
for US permanent peace ,cih Other countries, and
tTed boundaries for Our country"
DO you remember, Mr.. Chairman, that old class
cal dialogue between Pyrrhus, the king Of Epirus,
and his eloquent counsellor, Cineasf Pyrrhus, we
are told IN disclosing his plans of government, had
stated bis purpose Of subjecting Italy to his sway;
when Cineas asked, "And having overcome the
Romans, what will your majesty do nexti' "why,
Sicily" said the king, "is next door TO Italy, and
II will be easy to subdue that" "And having got
possession OF Sicily" said the counsellor, Nv hat
next will he your royal pleasure" al have mind,
them" said Pyrrhus, 'to pass over into Africa"
"And what after that" said Cineas "why then,
at last we will give ourselves up quiet and enoy