The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-26

Third Chestnut streets.
Ths Missouri Compromiss.
MIR Soule finished his able and eloquent speech yes
erday in the Senate, in support Of his resolutions for
running the Missouri line California He will
probably be replied to to-day by Mr.. Douglas and Mr.
Webster. (who seemed to be taking notes upon the
specify The peroralion OF Mr.. Soue was singularly
beautiful and touching. q
We heard rumor yesterday morning, that the President
was about 10 come down with message 10 Congress.
recommending the Missouri Compromise for the adjust
ment Of this disractng question. We could scarcely
believe there was any truth in the report, and
subsequent inquiries have convinced US that il was
without any foundation General Taylor may have
expressed himself, in hasty conversation with dis
tngushed wing from Charleston. to be in favor
Of any compromise which may settle the difficulty
But these impressions probably evanescen as the
breath in which they uttered He would first hayO
to obtain the consent OF the cabal which rules in the
cabinet And besides, what confidence can we repose in
such general declarations when we see his regularly
accredited organ constantly reafirming the position
which he took in his California message OF January last
doggedly declaring his determination to adhere to his
temporzing and feeble policy, and indirectly
buking Mr.. Clay for carving out different adjustment
the possible taste. condemning him for carrying
out his own views-as if he had the audacity to hold
his wisdom (of an experienced staesman superior to that
Of General Taylor who once declared his own opinions
to be Of no consequence How can we expect General
Taylor to change his policy, when Of his friends has
declared within the last days. that they expecting
to see New Mexico presenting herself. with State
sution in her hand. in the course OF month. THERE'S
sc
sour line and there is little, il any, hope Of its prevail
ing in either house Of Congress.
We are aware that Mr. Soule's proposition will
have a respectable southern vote in the Senate.
Many Of those southern gentlemen who oppose the
plan OF Adjustment recommended BY the Committee OF
Thirteen intend to rally on the principle Of the Missouri
Compromise. The Nashville Convention also recon.
nended that the South should not only plant itself the
Missouri line, but insist upon decaratory provision
which recognises the right Of the STAKEHOLDER to 60 to the
country south Of that line with his slaves Most willing
as we are to take the Missouri Compromise to adjust
the question, scarcely 60 TO the extent marked
out by the Nashville Convention We never wish TO
see the subject Of slavery brought into any debate or TO
see any provision relative to that subject in any enact
ment OF Congress and especially do object to the
view which has been entertained by politicians, who
would require Congress pass act declaring that Con-
gress has no jurisdiction the subject OF slavery
Congress has the right to make negative, It has the
right TO make an affirmative declaration. Besides, the
declaration il made would be without force or virtue
n you once permit Congress 10 assume jurisdiction
which the constitution does not confer upon II, the
next Congress might reconsider and reverse II. And,
further we contend that the legislative branch cannot
properly and constaonally place on the staute-book
an act defining its own powers Those powers are de-
fined by the constitution. That instrument is the test
which must be applied in every instance Congress may
implicitly jurisdiction over any subject by enacng
laws relative thereto but those laws without force
virue unless they approved by the Presidents and
even then is competent for the Supreme Court say
whether the national legislature has not transcribed its
legitimate jurisdiction.
We cannot, therefore, sustain those who demand de-
claratory law the subject OF slavery; but at the
same time, we trust that its friends will present
the Missouri Compromise, and will give IL fair trial
We free to say, that, original measure, we
should oppose il on the grounds which opposed
the Missouri restrctioniss in 1919 and 1870. But that
gave peace TO distracted people, and il has
been acquesced in for thirty years by all portions Of the
country. We have always been wing-nay. anxious-to
see the Missouri line extended the shore OF the Pacific
But have believed for several weeks, that majority
could not be found 10 extend IT, Yet repeat let its
friends give fair trial, and test the Of Congress
upon it, But we trust il will not be SINE qua non, and
that because its friends cannot obtain that measure they
will not, therefore, adopt other to give peace to
the country II they succeed. shall rejoice; il they
fail, we anxiousy hope that the members who propose
il will still be willing TO rally to the support Of some
practc able measure which will remove the distractions
and the anxietes Of the people.
The Mississippan has overplsyed its game. It does
gross injustice to General Foote's and by way Of affecting
belity it does possess a, least 10 his il ad
vises those who disapprove Of the senator's course to
withhold their apple atoms to him for resgnng his Of
fire. mill thev can rive him an opoorftnv Of hearing his