The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1850-02-08
Cbe fanfostrr @a3ctte,
5LAYCAsrER, FEBRUAnY 4, 1850.

TnE SLAyERy CoMPRoMIsE- Mr., Gays
Resolntioa.s--We have parposely re. i
framed from making any remarks nthe
resolutions of Mr.. Clay, Intended as
compromise Of this vexed question ol
Slavery, until the mail brought them To
ms in form, of The correctness of which i
there could be no doubt; aud had others
waited in like manner, there would have
been. in ou. opinion, fewer objections
made TO the resolutions.
Ii will be seen that the resolution, to
which the Nnrth could make the most Sc.
rious opposition, that relating to the slave
trade in the District of Columbia, came
to us by telegraph the very opposite Of
the authors views. AS the resolutions
nov read They must commend themselves
to tho calm consideration of all friends of
the Union.
The very name of compromise implies
that there must be concession for the
sake Of harmony; and for the sake of the
Union. we arc willing 10 concede 10 The
slavc-holding States the right To transfer
their peculiar species of property from
one TO the olher--wlIing 10 assume the
debt Of Texas for which her public lands
are pledged, in return for The trans.
fer of those lands willing to consider it
"nexpedienl" to abolish slavery in the
District, without tho consent Of those in
terested and without fair remuneration
to the owners oi this species Of chat les
willing TO a llw Southran gentlemen ID
scour our woods in search of runaway
negroes, provided they do not ask us Ia
become slave-cachers;--but IN return we
ask that our Soulhren brethren will not
demand the introduction of slavery into
the territories acquired from Mexico, nor
that they shall be permitted to make the
capital of our Republic a market for the
abominnblc traffic in human flesh, in Il
place over which the Congress- of free
people have "cxcluslve jurisdiction"
We could have wished that Congress
would adopt the principles Of the Orlin
ance Of 1887 more definitely and sue
cinctly; but it must be remembered tha
these resolutions Of Mr.. Clay assert th'
vital doctrine nPon this question: The.
cmbody, no matter in what terms, lh
non.extension of slavery, and in yielding
this--the right of carrying their "proper
ty' with lhemto this new torritory--lh,
South, in our opinion, yield more thar
we are called npon to concede.
Time will, we are certain. gradual,
bring all things right, and it matters bn
little, in our humble Judgment, whelhc
the right" or the "expedieucy" is pass
ed upon by the adoption of these resolC
lions. When our southren brethren b,
come convinced that they can do bette
and live happierupon their ownlaborlha
that Of their slaves, they will yield u
all their old prejudices about The nece
sily of their peculiar institution" in
free country, and will cbeerlully fall
with us 10 abolish it entirely.
II these resolutions meet the views {
the moderate men of both sections, an
tho principles assorted are embodied i
bills and adopted, the example or Prece
dent will DO matter ofno small mumen
1t will tell upon future legislation; an
we trust for the sake Of harmony, peac
and concord, that tho resolutions. will
vory slight notifications. will meet tn
appreciation of the National Legislature
If they do, aud succeed in restoring han
mony between tho North and the south
their author will merit tho lasting obliga
tons of all friends Of the country.
We are not confident of tho passag
Of these resolutions. In 1919, the excite
ment was confined almost exclusively /
members of Congress; now, the peopl
Of various sections are the prime muvol
inthis controversy. Then, the cloqusnc
OF Mr.. Clay could sway his colleagues an
induce them to pause; now, the member
OF the National Legislature must look t
home before they act. But we hope e
tho best
On to morrow, the resolutions will h
taken up for consideration.
An interesting discussion sprung ~
after tho roSolutinns were offered,
which Mossra. Clay, Rush, Foolc, Maso
Davis of Mssissippi,) and King pa
ticipaled, An were Southern memhe
and all, with tho exception of Mr., Cla
opposed the principles of,he resolution
Mr. Clay, in introducing the resolution
said:--
"These were the results orhis deliberate ia,
nent How fur they would bo acceptabIs
could not say, The project contained an oq
amount of concession aud iOrbealHnCe ON Ii
sides. The South yielded moro in substance Il
the North, aud larger concessions could have bt
nsksd Of tho North, because II was numcrcT
stronger than the slave States, aud because "
the North tbs matter was a sentiment and NJ
practical question
The North mldo no s,criIico Ivy 1t. aud iuc
rcd no loss no peril The South held Ia
lN