Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-06-08

cd for the last thirty years adopted in 1920 when Missouri
was admitted, and resrmed in ls45 the annexation
Texas. believe myself honestly believe that the South
unfortunately erred IN assenng by acquiescence
to the establishment of this line of partition. We
reapng now all the bitter fruits of that surrender. II was
done, however, in spirit OF concession and Tor the sake
Of peace II called then "compromise mean
ing, presume, joint agreement OF the Two great sec
tons of the country dicde Territory in dispute
ther than bring extremity this issue made question Of
constitutional power Compromise is dangerous resort to
those in minority, have sadly experienced far bet
ter for minority try the right when fret questioned than
to eyade for the sake of repoe And where do stand
now Precisely where stood in 1920, except that the
majority has increased, and the minority diminished by the
operations of well known in the tide OF population
The South cannot retrieve the step then taken without
open rupture and this we will avoid if the North will allow
it Sir the proposition of the Southern States to stand on
the Missouri compromise ne throws the whole responsible
y of the future the Norh and the country Will so un-
dersand Odous this has been and to none more
so than 10 him who now addresses you, will abide by it
sacrifice to the public peace. But not one hairs breadth
will representative Of Virginia. ever YIELD below that
line, matter of right in the North qualify It, sur as
right because it is said that in the face of the
country in California, convenient national boundary
could be found perhaps few minutes south Of the
mise line If this be so, let it be adopted sickle only for
the right which be protected by the language of the act
And now Mr. President, let gentlemen on the other side
assign their reasons ,chy the southern boundary of California
should be contracted proposed will to the new
State border Of five degrees Of latitude on the Pacific,
sevngsabout four for the southern Territory and will
leave open way the for future States which may
be erected.
So much sir in regard to that part Of the bill which pro-
vides for the admission Of California.
The proposition in the bill is that Texas, for grant
of money shall cede to the United States all Of her Territory
lying north and Of line be drawn from point near the
32o parallel of north latitude the 34h The INTENT as al
eged thereby to settle the conoverted question Of boun-
day between Texas and much of New Mexico has been
ceded to the United States by treaty with Mexico
sha not nfo a
right between Texas the United States My business is
to deal with in the BILL is proposed to operate on the
question Of compromise adjustment OF the slavery ques-
ton. In this the first effect Of it certainly is, to take
off much of the territory belongs Texas subject
the institution of slavery and make the property OF the
United States AT present shareholders with their proper
60 there and hold it under the jurisdiction OF Texas
cede the United States and who creduous enough
believe that the institution will be allowed there day after
the title is passed.
The next effect Of it is withdraw the ceded territory from
the operation Of the compact Of annexation That compact
is in the following words
New States Of convenient sze not exceeding four in
addition to said State of Texas and having sufficient
population may hereafter by the consent Of said State be
formed of the territory thereof which shall be entitled to
under provisions of federal constitution; and
such States be formed OF that portion OF said
territory lying south Of SO 80 north laude commonly known
the Missouri compromise line, shall be admitted into the
Union with without slavery the people OF each State
asking admission may desire and in such State or
States as shall be formed out of territory north of said
Missouri compromise ne slavery involuntary servude,
except for crimes, shall be prohibited"
That is to say States that formed out of the terri
tory of Ieras south Of that line shall be admitted into the
Union with or without slavery &c. But if the cession
be made the territory ceded longer the territory of
Texas" but it becomes the territory of the United States
and is in all respects the footing of any other territory OF
the United States When therefore, new States are formed
of the ceded territory, they will be formed of
territory ofTexas. but of territory of the United
States In other words the obligation Of the compact binding
the United States respect territory the State exa
but the obligation when the territory be the terri
tory of Texas But whether this be the legal exposition
of the effect of that compact the experience of the
country gives sufficient warning what the actual consuc
ton will be, should the question arise.
The last effect that shall notice is, to violate the faith
pledged by the compact with Texas the condition of
States that might be formed Of her territory south of
36o 3O. The Southern States admitted Texas into the
Union the faith that the question Of slavery not south Of
that line should be left to the people, nhabitng the country
The bill will take it from he and leave the Congress
Of the United States.
As things stand is fully conceded that the Of the
compact Mandatory and require States be admitted
south Of that line whenever Texas assen and there is su
en popuaonthe question Of slavery not to be deter
mined by the inhabitants of territory where slavery prevails
this BILL and the mandate gives way the discretion of
majority in Congress, whilst in the time the territory
under the sole jurisdiction Of Congress in all respects
whatsoever And what sir, is the amount Of territory to be
hus surrendered Why fraction less than 1885, 600 square
nies-a territory abundany large for two medium sized
States Let it be done and it requires prophecy FORE
ell the result Two nonslaveholdlng states Wll take their
position north and west Of the State of Texas.
The actual effect of this bill, then, will be-
lst. In the Territory Of California prohibit the instu
ion of slavery the whole Pacific border, and in latitude
down to the 32d parallel. ..... =. |
3D. To take from Texas 900 square miles Of territory
claimed hers and subject the institution OF slavery,
md place it, the continuance of this institution at
he discretion Of Congss-hus removing the barrier of the
Missouri compromise Incorporated into the compact with her.
And nducemen to the Southern States to vote this
bill, what is offered in return Why, proposition simply,
forming for the remaining Territories acquired
rom Mexico to refrain from enactng the Wmot proviso
his Wimot proviso held by all the Southern States
ect invasion of their rights under the constitution,
Justify resistance their part "o the last extremity and
,very hazard"
Sir, do not wish to speak harshy, but it is difficult to
peak with forbearance. .s ..
To escape think that is the true word) for the present.
md for the present only, from law thus characterized by
he Southern States they to assent to the prohibition Of
slavery in of the Territories four degrees and half be-
the Missouri line and release l25, 900 square miles
slave territory in of the Southern States the dscre
ion Of majority constituted Of Representatives from the
States
TO the proposition sir is to ensure its reputation by
he South.
Sir we were to do this which Heaven forbid should
done by Southern votes, would be but temporary
pite. Notwithstanding the voice of peace which have
occasionally heard this Wlmot proviso is not dead
eepeth" We have had warning enough 10 arouse even
he ulest ear the speech Of eminent and influential
representative from the State Of Massachusetts,, delivered in
The other wing Of the Capitol, proposition to lay the
sc motion" the table during the present session His
language this
ut remains TO be seen whether the great principles of
the ordinance Of 87 have lost any portion Of their vitality
whether they strong and living hold the hearts
Of Northern and Western oh that of the honorable