Washington telegraph., 1850-03-13

aary, and, with view 20 settlement, he
asked committee of thirteen to be an.
pointed from the old thirteen States. and
that committee reported a resolution.
which was defeated by three southern
votes. The matter then laid over. He
believed he could have carried any thing,
as there was majority in Congress il.
favor OF settling the difficulty; hut there
was the ayes aud noes, aud unfortunately
there was not enough OF Curtnses and
Leonidases willing to sacrifice themselves
for the country.
He then proposed joint committee.
that OF the House to consist Of tweisse
three members TO be chosen by ballot-
Tor Mr. Taylor was Speaker, and il was
Mr. Taylor who had proposed this proviso
on all occasions-and Oh The first balIo,
eiShteen Of the twenty-three persous nom
lnated by him as members of the com.
mitIee We're chosen. Much to his regret,
some OF these declined, and Mr.. Randolph
was appointed on the committee. The
TWO committees met in the Senate cham
'er on the Sabbath, aud hut a few days
before the adjournment OF Congress, aud
aIter coisultat Oh, adopted resolution
submitted by him. That resolution was
reported TO both houses, and became the
law.
And what was it! 1t was a mere
resolution, declaring, as a great fuuda.
Inenal principle, that the Constitution OF
me 'Jnited States was the paramount law
OF the land, and that all State coustitu-
lions and laws were of no effect if in
coufiict with the Constitution Of tire u.
| States. That, if there were any thing in
the constitution of Missouri in conflict
| with the Constitution of the United States
Missouri shall, by some solemn act Of her
Legislature, suspend its operation; and
that upon such act OF Missouri being
communicated to the President, (Mr.
Monroe,) the President shall issue his
proclamation, and Missouri shall then be
admitted into the Union. This was the
compromise. All parties We're satisfied
| with the assertion of an inconteslable
principle OF law. couclied in rather high
sounding words, which meant nothing
The enactment of the line OF SO 30
would be an interdiction OF slavery north
of that line. Will the South be satisfied
with tins! The Senator from Mississippi
Mr.. Davis has said he will accept no.
thlug short ot a recognition of the right
to hold slaves south of that line. which
proposition could not command over
twenty votes in the Senate. Is not non.
action by CONGRESS the best policy! 1t
Is better TO have nOu-aclion than legisla-
tioii, luterdlctlng slavery north q 36 80,
aud no recognition OF it south of t,at line
No earthly power could make him vote
to Introduce slavery south of 36 30 but
ii a majority decided that slavery should
be inIerdicted north. aud reco gnlsel south
OF that line, which would he but equal
justice, however much it would eonlict
with his principles and feelings, he would
be the last to interpose any obstacl. 10 Its
adoption. But non-action by Congress,
as be proposed, was the best policy. 1t
had oecn said that non-aclion secured
every thing the North demanded and
who was to blame for this! Not Con.
5ress. If the people Of California thought
proper to exclude slavery, that was their
own business, and policy they had
right to adopt. If nature had rendered
tne soil OF the rest of that territory unfit
TO be reproached save nature aud natures
God.
Mr.. Z. then traced the history OF this
nation from its foundation 10 tile present
day; Its vast Increase III population aud
III territory; the glorious manner III which
it had prosecuted several wars, aud the
brilliant renowu it had gained through
the galiantry, skill and achievements of
its officers. Ene events ct the late war,
and the conduct OF the two great and
| leading officers, We're dwell upon with
much power. The universal prosperity
ot the country, with the exception Of
few manufacturing districts, was uli-
bounded; aud 1t was from the very wan
tonness of prosperity that most of the
wild schemes OF the day enanated.
He then enumerated the various lead
Jug acts OF government adopted when the
North held sway in the counsels of the
nation; they We're bank of the United
States, the asSu,npti ion of the State debts,
protection 10 manufacturing interests,
u779) the alien aud sedilion laws, aud
tne quasi war with France. These were
the leading results of the northern couu-
sells, which had sway during the hrst
twelve years OF The government. For The
last fifty years tile South preponderated
III the couiisels OF the nation, and the re-.
suits were: the embargo restrictions, the
war with Great Britain. the overthrow
Of the Bank of the United States, the
extension and enlargement of protection
To manufactures. the re-estabishment of
the Bank OF the United States, the same
put down again. the acquisition of Louis
iana, the purchase Of Florida. the annex-
alton Of Texas, war with Mexico, the
ACQUISITION Ut California and other Terri.