The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-23

concerted abuse OF the Union by the Gaphn press and
e,er-wers reminds us OF the arts and practices Of the
rogues we refer TO. We don't care a red cent about
them. We say TO the North American, and 10 It's
confederate pack, snap, snar show your teeth much
as you pleaseyou will not divert us from our course
You exactly the persons to njure the character
Of faithful democratic press engaged in doing ts
duty to the people.
The Portsmouth "Pilot' has lost his helm. Left 10 his
guidance the vessel OF State would soon strand either on
Scylla Chaybds We advise its editor to bis
discretion, before he pretends guide his bark amid e
slavery compromise" We certainly cannot return the
compliment he has paid to the senior editor OF this paper
OF being such astute and keen sighted poiticiancer
tainly not on this question The Pilot may put himself
at ease about being "msed by the plausible but de.
ceptve theories Of the great kentucky SENATOR" we
had formed basis Of compromise before Mr. Clay had
produced his
II is very strange that the Pilot should express its
PRISE that we could be induced by any consideration to
support (which could never be acceptable to
the South" and that he (he Pilot "cannot believe that
this glorious Commonwealth can fall low as to
adopt this compromise" We beg its pardon, when we
quote against it much higher authority than selfthe
Richmond Enquirer-who recently stated that this system
is "very similar" the compromise which Virginia had
expected We pass other remarks Of the Pilot; and
will not analyze the objections which il takes with
one exception. 1t charges Mr. Clay with making. on
the part Of the committee proposition that "ccntains
the essential principles Of the Wmot Proviso" The ar
gument of the Pilot is this:
The doctrine laid down by the majority party is that
slavery institution created by law and that therefore
cannot exist in any community unless by special
enactment To this doctrine Mr. Clay himself fully
and .tnxftu ,fSota. sI. IL
times control the subject far the action Of the fed
era government is concerned and yet with this doctrine
sanctioned by large majority and approved by the advo
ofthe proposed promise, the BILL In defining the
powers OF The territorial legislature, contains the provision
that nn law shall be passed Interfering with the primary
disposal Of the soil, respect Ahicaw slavery"
/ For ourselves we necessity, in examining the
principles contained in the compromise descant on the
doctrines laid down by the "majority party" We know
such body of men and did, their peculiar views
could not guide in interpreting act Of Congress
The compromise should be construed by its TERMS refer
being always had to The provisions Of the constu
ton; and that construction cannot be affected by the
opinion of Mr.. Clay of majority party 1t really
that the remarks Of the Pilot touching this
point, were dictated by cavillng spirit That paper
surely believe that, if the constitution does not
permit the people OF the South to 90 New Mexicoand
Utah with their slaves any provision possibly be
carried through Congress giving that permission The
South takes no such ground 1t is satisfied with nom
Intervention. Yet the Pilot finds fault with the compro.
mise, because il contains the provision, relative to
the new Territories. that "no law shall be passed
interfering with the primary disposal OF the SOIL in
respect TO african slavery" Does not the Pilot hold
that slavery exists wherever it is prohibited by
petent authority Does it not hold that the Mexican
laws abolishng slavery have validity in the Territories
we acquired from Mexicoi Why, them this line Of argu
menti Besides, Mr.. Clay stated in his speech Tues
day the curious fact that this very clause to which the
Pilot objects proposed in the committee by south
em senator, and was supported by every southern men,
Der OF the committee but himself And yet now the
Pilot and Of the southern senators going against
it! Mir. Clay went further in his reply to Mr., Soue,
and offered to strike il out altogether, to modify 50
that the inhibition would apply only laws establishing
prohibiting African slaveythus ohvating the obiec
ton that no police regulations could be made TO protect
the slave owner should ii be decided that slavery could
be carried the Territories under the constitution
An additional amendment was, however, proposed by Mr.
Pratt yesterday which is calculated the most
captious objections, and which he said would prove ac
ceptable to all sides OF the chamber. This was not
only to inhbit the territorial legislature from passing
any law establishing prohibiting slavery but providing
That nothing herein contained shall be construed TO
prevent said territorial legislature passing such laws as
may be necessary for the protection ci the rights Of prop.
ery Of any kind which have been be hereafter
lawfully Introduced into said TERRITORY
Should this amendment be adopted to be hoped that
viii equally the quesulous cavils Of the mod
ern PHO, OF the democratic squadron.
Another weapon yesterday stricken from the
hands Of the uncompromisers. In the course Of Mr..
Downss decided and adm rabe speech behalf OF the
compromise he stated that the proposition from the Con-
muee Of Thirteen, respecting fugitive slaves, had been
grossly misunderstood BY the enemies OF the compromise
They had contended that il was not good for the
Shareholders the act Of 1893, because this gave the
master the right 10 pursue his fugitive slave the moment
he ran off, whereas the compromise bill required him to
go before court Of record and obtain an attesaon
OF his rgh, to his slavethus losing much precious time
before the court could meet before The pursuit was
made. Mr.. Downs coniended that this was mistakes
that the bill intended to give a cumulative