Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-03-19

lusive adherence to its words / would not take the
compromise i'll the terms by which it was applied TO the
remaining part OF the territory acquired under the
OF Louisiana. would not take it as applied to
Texas, when that State admitted into the Union
because the circumstances of both were different
from those of the Mexican territory but | would
take it it made applicable 10 the present case and
tended to the Pacific / considered that, when this
Senate had voted to receive petitions and to refer them
10 committees, to consider upon the power Of this
government over slavery in the Territories, over
slavery in the District of Columbia and over the
future admission of slave States, we had taken one
great stepin advance, and one which should awaken
the apprehension of the South and when, in close
connexon with this action of the Senate, followed
the remark of the honorable Senator from Michigan
mat the Missouri compromise could not be extended TO
the recent acquisitions from Mexico Hooked upon it
a conjunction in our political armament which BODIED
ton OF the planets. 1t was therefore, that spoke of
the declaration thing to be noted, marked as the
oreshadow OF an event II are not to have non in
prevention, the right TO go into these Territories and
there claim whatever may be decided to be ours by the
decree OF naure-if to be debarred from acqur-
ing, by emigration, by enterprise by adventure by toll
and labor, equally with others, from the common do
main OF the Union-if to be forbidden to use the
commons belonging to the common field of which we
are Joint owners-i in addition to all this we are told
that division be made that all of that which we
own ID common must hnally become the exclusive pro-
perty OF the other parnersn truth, sir rapidly
approaching to that state OF things contemplated BY the
senator from South Carolina, [Mr. Calhoun when,
without an amendment OF the constitution the rights of
the minority will be held at the mercy of the majority
Give our rights under the constiution-the constu-
ton airly construed-and are content to take our
chance fathers did for the maintenance Of posi-
ton IN the Union. We are content 10 hold on to the
old compact and believe in the merits of our own
institutions we are willing to trust to the working out of
our salvation
II we to be excluded, by congressional legisa-
ton from Joint possession on the one hand and denied
COmDrOmISe which bV division yuouId uive
share on the other-neither permitted to an equality of
possession as right, nor divided occupation a set
Element between proprietors-I ask what is the hope
which remains to those who already in minority
OF this confederacy? What do we gain by having
written constitution, sectional pride sectional hate
can bend It aspasson, interest caprice may die
tate What do we gain by having government based
upon this written constuton it, in truth the rights of
the minority are held IN allegiance to the will of the ma
Jorlty! And now, ask the Senator from Michigan
question Will he not, under the crisis which hangs
upon the lace OF the countrywll he not support the
Missouri compromise-thes spirit of the COMPROMISE
tor division OF the Territories between the two nte-
rests of the country?
Mr.. CAss. will answer the senator | spoke of
the Missouri compromise, which established line that
ran through country in which slavery existed and
which declared hat slavery should be excluded north of
that line, and lett the country south of it it found it.
to continue slavery to exclude it, as the people might
judge best. say that my doctrine for the whole terri
tory is non-ntervention.
Mr.. DAVIS, lin his seat) prefer that, too.
WI SASS. GSTee, therefore, Win The senator from
Mississippi Isay that this government has no right to
interfere with the institution Of slavery in the Terrific
res; and say it the South think they have rights there
under the constitution, i'll Gods let the Supreme
Court determine the question. No object to
that
Mr.. DAVIS, lin his s,at) But we cannot get there.
Mr.. CAss. do not know that. / think otherwise |
would observe, and the Senate will remember that the
point IN issue was the Missouri compromise; and now
lunder tand the Senator from Mis- sspp would not vote
Tor that measure unless It was accompanied with the
declaration that slavery should, may, does exist
South OF the line. Do understand him Alright?
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Mississippi | have several times had
occasion to explain that point will agree to the draw
ing OF the line 36 deg 30 mn through the territories
acquired from Mexico, with this condition. that while
slavery s prohibited North OF that line, it shall be per-
mitted to enter South of the ne and that the States
which may be admitted into the Union shall come in
under such constitutions as they think proper to form
Mr.. CASS. With respect to the last point imagine
there would be no difference between With res
pect to the other, the proposition is intervention north
and non intervention south Of the line, without confer
ring any rights on the South Ii would be OF no prae-
companied by some legislative declaration on the sub
lect. repeat the belief that have no authority to
say that slavery shall, sha! net exist in the terri
tories ofthe United States 1t is matter to be left
wholly to the people Of the country to decide That is,
think, the true doctrine. have maintained it,
and unless lchange greatly | shall abide byit
Mr DAVIS OF Mississippi, The senator does not ex-
actly comprehend my meaning. He and do not diff
Ter much as to the powers OF Congress the Terri
tories The difference between the honorable senator
and myself seems to begin just where he ceases to an
swer say, that it we cannot be permitted to so into
these Territories and test nights under the law OF
nature, and before the Supreme Court of the United
States, shall this agitation contnuesIa this section
al strife be unassuaged! Will the SENATOR like my
SELF come down in this stage OF the question: and take
less than ms own sandard-take the Missouri compro-
mise adapted to the Territories?
Mr.; CAss. What | would do to save this Union
from dissolution, dissolution impending over it,
and to be ayerted OnIV bV
fcult to say-I would do almost anything.