The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-04


the Wilnot Povso, any law abolishng slavery the
commonwealth is requested Immediately convene the
legislature Of this State, df i should have adourned TO
consider the mode aud measure OF redress.
Mr.. CLAY. What is the date OF those resolutions
/ Mr. MASON. The date is January, 1s4g.
Mr; CLAY For January, 1850, presume.
1 Mr MASON. No (; they were passed in lSi9, and are
still in force, for they never were revoked rescinded
However, Mr. President the bill which proposes TO abol
sh the slave trade, as il is called in the District of Co.
lumbia forms no part OF that which is under consd-
erauon have adveed to only because It is in the
Recommendation OF the committees and, understand
A. is suggested as part OF the general scheme OF adjust
men pass, however, from these topics, to the bill
more Immediately under consideration, and which gem
orally known as the "compromse bill" Sir, il was my
misfortune as announced on former day on this floor.
TO differ with the majority OF the committee in the opinion
that the measures proposed by the committee could be
ceived BY the southern States basis which the
happy controversy that has arisen could be adjusted
myself however. entitled to speak only for the State
which in part represent here; and. to her. speak
ing under the instructions contained in the resolutions
part OF which have read just to the Senate-in-
strucons which forbid me TO do any ACT or 10 give any
vote which will admit the right Of the Congress of the
United States, In any manner either directly or indirectly,
tree TO any OF the Territories belonging these
States and taking with them any OF their property These
resolutions were reatrmed by the general assembly OF
lS4950, modified only regards the prohibition OF sa-
very In the Territories by the expression Of willingness
yet 10 conform TO the spirit and terms of the Missouri
compromise. .3A
Mr. President the prohibition of slavery in the Terri.
tories formed the great point of division between the
parties in the conny It was that upon which the south
ern States rallied during the last winter and presented
according 10 my recollection, undivided front against
the Wimo Proyiso, is called the alleged right
in Congress 10 prohibit slavery in any of the Territories
which we have acquired from Mexico.
Now, SIR am fully aware that in the efforts, and
will say the great efforts that are made 10 bring the minds
OF the American people 10 in the measures
proposed by this bill those who oppose it. either senators
or representatives, denounced through the press
.tafrashe meaning being that all who do not admit
that this bill reported forms the basis which
the controversy should be adjusted uras against
aay adjustment" Sir, there time. and that, too,
within little more than ten years, when nearly the whole
delegation OF the South in the other wing Of the Capitol
abandoned iher.seas and left the hall because they
would not remain present members Of House that to
Grated discussion even on the institution OF slavery
Such the state OF feeling then before this scheme OF
the ntedicton OF slavery in the Territories had been
devised protest n advance against the discussion
Congress Of the United States And where are We
now Present, day after day in this chamber, patient
listeners 70 debates upon an institution with which the
destnies OF the southern States are inseparably con-
nected, and from quarters utterly unconnected with it,
except in aggression and hostility Mr. President, |
declare in advance here, that | shall be more graf
if should be adopted by this Congress- coming
from any quarter which will really adjust the controyer
sy now suosising between the North and the South.
will lend my aid most cheerfuy TO any such measure.
prepared to make too, that.
far as informed, have not yet been found coming
with tree will from the South am prepared to state
pared and God forbid that should be, to yield
inch TO the demands OF right by law to prohibit our
ernnsn. and taking With them ali or any part of Of sSer
properly, unless upon terms similar to those adopted in
1920, the occasion OF the admission OF the State OF
Missouri Sir in order TO ascertain the true character OF
the compromise proposed BY this bl let fire, under
stand what is the point OF division between the parties,
and the ground occupied by the South The right
serted by the southern States TO occupy the Territories
common property and for their people going there to take
their property with them, derived under the constitu-
ton which provides common government for the
States.
II is the right Of the people in all the States 60 into
any territory, as the common property of all the States
and take with them any all OF their property, and
reside there and 10 enjoy It. under the protection OF the
constitution and the laws of the United States.
II this be true, and apprehend there are none to ques
ton il, then follows, that II there be any hnderance to
this right existing in the Territory whether has lis ORR
gin in the laws customs OF such Territory before be-
the property o the United States, whether il has
been created since BY any unauthorized act OF the first
occupants OF such Territory, II is the duty of the United
Stales at TO nerpose to remove such hnderance
This is right, clear and unequvocal; and can
say that refuse terms OF compromise unless we refuse
any modification abatement Of IT, thus strictly defined
As derived under the fundamental laws OF the gov
which would qualify impair and yet, air, the South
is already committed 10 more concaiory course, and
by which have little doubt she is yet prepared to abide
First, by the OF the act which passed The Senate
years since, under the sanction OF southern votes,
usually called the Clayton BILL" agreed to dis
pense with any act OF federal legislation opening the way
in the Territories the people with their slaves, trusting
TO the constitution for the protection Of property
when taken into the Territories, and merely providing
proper forms OF redress through the judicial tribunals
This mode OF adjustment sanctioned by southern
votes, and founded in large concession oil our existing
rights.
But there is another far better understood, and which
has the sanction OF acquiescence OF thirty years Fall
ing back the basis of compromise adopted the ad
mission OF Missouri let take the parallel OF 80 deg.
30 min. north latitude the line OF partition in the new
Territories thus agreeing divide and enjoy separately
common property-what our differing institutions would
seem to forbid that should enjoy in common.
! Either form OF adjustment, have little doubt, would
be found acceptable to the South The first would sim
ply organize governments for the Territories in the usual
iorm and leave the rights of the citizens OF the different
States in those Territories TO be determined by the courts
of the country under the constitution and the laws But
this would require that much OF the Territory OF CAL
forna has recently been erected into State govern
ment should be remanded 10 territorial condition,
and so retained until reasonable time allowed to cit
zens of the southern States TO there with their
property, if they chose TO do so.
The second far the practicable and convenient,
and would allow the admission OF State at once
for California, after proper notifications OF the constitu
ton which has been adopted and II has the merit OF
precedent adopted in $780, the occsson OF the admis
OF the Stale of Missouri and since fully acquesced
in II any adjustment be made OF the character of
compromise, this has certainly the strongest claim. II
divides as have said, into separate property, that
which we cannot enjoy as common property and ap-
portions the North and South, respectively territory
in those atudes most likely TO be valuable 10 their dif-
| fering habits and labor.
Bu let il not be supposed that am at all the euogst Of
the original Missouri compromise" Il evil day
for the South have always thought when il was adopt
ed and has been fruitful source OF discord since Ii