The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-21

The Past and the Pssssat.
The Columbus Georgia. Times has devoted long ar
tcle to the senior editor Of this paper The first part Of
it is full OF exavagan compliment for the past and Of
unjust criticism on his present course. We deny that
there is the slightest inconsistency between the strict
State rights doctrines which have uniformly adyo.
Gated and the measure which we are now supporting.
We take refuge under the position which it is pleased
to assign We know that we have difficulties TO
encounter in vocation. But do not how our
being "the organ OF national democratic party" has
prevented the senior editor from carrying out the strict
Staie-rghts principles OF the Jefersonian school We
contend strongly for them the editor Of the Coum
bus Times HIMSELF for who has been opposed TO
the Wilmot Proviso than the editors Of the Wash
ington Union Who has held more sacred The con-
stution OF the United States |" Who has contended
with greater zeal for the right Of the southern States
to be let alone to manage their domestic affairs" and
for the common interests in common Territories TO be
more scrupulously respected" Who has more faith-
fully claimed for the southern States participation in
the common Terrtories-lst by the Missouri compro-
mise. which would be content adopts and 2dly
by asserting the doctrine Of and denying
to Congress any right to NEEDLE with slavery in the Ter.
riiories Of Utah and New Mexcol
The Times asserts "hat the democracy OF the South
will never consent to stand any national platform that
securely based the constitutional and the just
rights Of the States" Have assumed any other We
contend that the citizens Of the southern States have az
much right go TO these Territories those Of
the North; and hence have struggled against the
Wimot Proviso which cuts them off from that privilege
These Territories should be free from any such estric
tom and should be left free for the majority Of the in
habitants. when they form State constitution for them
selves, to decide upon the character Of their nsu
TONS Is not this doctrine in the spirit Of the State
rights school, which the senior editor has always
been devoted The Times lays down the law, with all
the authority Of oracle. in the following dicatora
terms:
There no ompomse that they viii listen to but one
the Missouri compromise Of sl9'2O In tina, they have
yielded their last inch Ii the South and North
Dns s se a Ms.
drawn thirty years ago II the North refuses 20 adhere
another To listen other compromises but to debate
proposition to Surrender new constitutional right
given The South has occasion Tor
She asks nothing from the North but what Is clearly her
uns ar @ = e ana
Morrill, !, i not the fault q the South and that
science must rest the responsibility omaking the federal
government an impractlcable machine.
| The Columbus Times does not seem to view the Mis-.
sour compromise as we do. 1t drew ga determinaie
line" We admit the fact Blu, what did that line deter.
mne' That the territory south OF that line should be-
long ndeeasbly and forever the sayehodng Staiesi
This is the modern version of that doctne but we are
free to confess that it was not the Interpretation which was
given to It at the time OF its adoption, in 1890 II not
the hch it received the time when the
resolutions for the annexation of Texas were passed II
but the other day that gave extract from the
veto message which the late lamented President intended
to send in the memorable night OF the sd of March,
is49, he last moment OF his brilliant administrations in
the Wmot Provso had been sanctioned by Congress
in the civil and diplomatic appropriation bill In that
paper. intended his last legacy his countymen Mr.
Polk says:
The doctrine of with the subject Of sla-
s Tie who
acquired Territories have alone the right 70 decide for
the intervention Interference Congress In signing
the Oregon BILL and In expressing my opinions in my last
nal convictions open and an original qus
and conform in action 70 the compyoms esiab
thus constrained yield because the Missouri compromise,
IN respect 10 says had been recognised and scqaesd
Rod Of nearly thirty years and had not only been acqu
esced in but had been distinctly recognised and affirmed
Congress In February 1885, for the annexation Of Texas
h.ys sS oaa
well settled.
He refers in this paper to the grounds he had taken
his message Of August IA, isis. the Oregon BILL and
in that message he again Identifies the Texan compro
mise with the Missouri compromise. in the following
terms: /
In the progress Of all questions Of such
sccndent importance occasionally arise in the
qnsstios bsagifadia fhis country and fhis
e~dangr our GLORIOUS Unson the Of creafsm
aud all political btssiwgs This question is SLAYER
With the slayeholdng States this does embrace merely
the rights Of property however vauabe but IL accnds
lar higher and involves the domestic peace and security
OF every family. s1
The fathers of the constution--the wise and patriots
men who laid the foundation OF
the danger from this quaer acted spirit Of comWe
misc and nafpai fhn dangerous and dinsh
ssbscf; and their Ussdom ogh 10 BE- tho guide of fkm
ssccessors Whilst they left to the States exclusively The
question OF domestic slavery within their respective Limits
they provided that slaves who might escape into olha
delivered the claim OF the party whom such ser
vice or labor may be due :"
Upon this foundation the matter rested until the MssOun
question
la December 1872 application made TO Congress BY
the people otthe Missouri Territory admission the
Union as STATE The discussion upon the subject In Con
gress involved the question of slavery and was
with such violence as to produce excitenents ing
every patriotin the Union But the good genius OF concl
alton which presided at the birth OF fualyI
prevailed, and the Missorri myroniN adopted Tbs|
eighth section oil the Of Congress the 6f OF March
1870 ITO authorize me people Of Missouri Terfio1
70 form constitution and State government" &c, ~
United States, under the OF Louisiana. which ls
north OF thirty degrees aad thirty minutes north auad
not Included within the limits OF PLACED b
this act slavery and involuntary serviude otherwise ina