The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-03-07
TIE NEW COMPROMISE.

Rumors have been ahOat of a new compromise
the result it is said, of consultation among inhu-
entail Senators from all sections, including Dan
iel Webster 1t was alleged at one time that he
had agreed to propose the extension to the Pacihc
coast of the Missouri Compromise, but if he ever
harbored such an idea, the admonition of his
better nature must have induced him to aban-
don it. That Southern members have been in
consultation with him, and that some of them have
looked to him for aid in carrying through some
grand scheme of adjusting the whole question of
Slavery, is well understood.
Last Thursday, MIR. Bell of Tennessee intro
duced the resolutions published below, as afford
ing the basis of compromise between the two
great interests-Freedom and Slavery. lie init
mated that he was not their author, but mere
compiler, the propositions having undergone the
examination of at least dozen Senators.
His remarks, accompanying their introduction,
were liberal and good-tempered. He admitted
that the usage of admitting free and a slave
State together, must soon be dispensed with-tbat
while already he could count some ten new free
States that would ere long be applying for adms-
account for Slavery.
Il will be observed that the Texas annexation
resolutions of 1915 are made the basis ofthis
proposed compromise.
His propositions in brief, are-to limit the
State of Texas by the Trinity river on the west,
and the Red River ON the north to provide for
the immediate organization into a State of so
much of her territory as lies south of the 3ith
parallel of north latitude and west of the Trim
ity river; to purchase for - dollars all
the unoccuped territory claimed by Texas, lying
west of the river Colorado, and extending north
to the 42d degree of north latitude to provide
for the organization into State of that portion
of the territory as far north as $40 when it shall
have the requisite population; to incorporate all
of the coded territory north of $40 with New
Mexico which is to be admitted as a State into
the Union when it shall have formed State
Constitution, but which, meantime, is to have
Territorial Government without restriction as to
Slavery; to organize Territorial Government
without any restriction as to Slavery for the
whole of the territory between New Mexico and
the State. of California; to admit at once that
State with its existing boundaries and Constitu-
ton to make the formation of State Constitutions
herearrer ny tuo O~ra--s p~--;tnriss deranda~.
upon the prior consent of Congress and to Sc
cure them the right after such consent shall have
been given, to adjust all questions Of internal
State policy for themselves.
The questions respecting Slavery and the
Slave Trade in the District of Columbia, the
interstate slave trade, and the reclamation of
fugitives from service or labor, are not embraced
in this plan of settlement, Mr.. Bell announcing
| his willingness to submit them separately to
the discretion Of Congress.
By annexing the territory on the Rio Grande,
below the 34th degree, in dispute between New
Mexico and Texas, to the unappropriated domain
purchased from the latter, the assumption is that
it will become Slave Territory, all Of which will
hereafter form State slaveholding as Mr.. Bell
supposes
On the other hand, all the territory of Texas,
and that claimed by her north of the oath degree,
is to be incorporated with New Mexico, which is
free territory, and which is to be admitted as
State, free Mr. Bell supposes, when it shall have
formed q Constitution. He does not, however,
this Territory as well as that west of New Mexico
and east of the State of California, open equally
to Slavery and Freedom, by giving them Terrific
tial Governments without any restriction as to
Slavery. In other words, his compromise pro-
vdes for the organization Of two slave States,
one now, another hereafter, for the organization
of two Territorial Governments without the
Wilmot Proviso, for the admission of one free
State and for securing to the People of any
Territory in forming State Constitution, the
right to institute or exclude Slavery at their own
discretion.
We need not say that it involves an abandon
ment by the free States of the anti-savery policy
of the Ordinance of 1887 We should IKE to
have an amendment moved to the 4th and 9th
propositions, striking out the words, without
any restriction as to Slavery" and inserting in
lieu thereof the words, "in accordance with the
principles of the Ordinance of 1887"
COMPROMISE OF THE QUESTION OF SLAVERY.
Mr. BELL rose for the purpose Of submitting to
the Senate the following series of resolutions:
Whereas considerations Of the highest interest
to the whole country demand that the existing
and increasing dissensions between tho North and
the South, on the subject Of slavery, should be
speedily arrested and that the questions in con.ro-
versy be adjusted upon some basis whchSshall
tend to give present quiet repress sectional ami
mosities remove as far as possible the causes Of
future discord, and secure the uninterrupted
enjoyment of those benefits and advantages which
the Union was intended to confer in equal meas
ure upon all its members: and whereas it is man
ifest, under present circumstances that no adjust
ment can be effected Of the points of difference
unhappily existing between the Northern and
Southern sections of the Union connected with
the subject of slavery, which shall secure to
either section all that is contended for and that
mutual concession upon questions Of mere pol
ICY not involving the violation Of any constitu-
tonal right or principle must be the basis of every
project affording any assurance Of favorable
acceptance: and whereas the joint resolution for
annexing Texas to the United States, approved
March LIST, ls45, contains the following condition
and guaranty, that is to say New States of
convenient size, not exceeding four in number, in
addition to said State of Texas, and having suffi-
cent population, may hereafter, by the consent
Of said State be formed out of the territory there
Of, which shall be entitled to admission under the
provisions of the Federal Constitution; and such
States may be formed out Of that portion OF said
territory lying south of $50 3O north latitude COM
monty known as the Missouri compromise line.
shall be admitted into the Union with or without
slavery, as the people Of each State asking admis
sion may desire; and in such State or States as
shall be formed out of said territory north of
said Missouri compromise line, slavery or iuvoun-
tary servitude Except for crime) shall be prohb-
tied - therefore,
l. RESOLVED, That the obligation TO comply with
the condition and guaranty above recited in good
faith be distinctly recognised, and that, in part
compliance with the same, as soon as the people Of
Texas shall by an act Of their Legislature signify
their assent by restricting the limits thereof within
the territory lying east Of the Trinity and south
Of the Red river, and when the people Of the