The North-Carolina standard., 1850-07-06
LETTER FROM MRssyEN4BLK.

LETTER FROM. MRSVENxBLE.
Asssrsros Carr, ,Jnn4 %, 1850
Sra 81 obserFe that some Of the w hig papers
OF North Carolina are making refeneqce to my opn-
ions as TO the Missouri Compfomise, az expressed IN
the canvass Of l849. More ihanone Whig journal
Win warning to keepst before the people: -.
would have my right arm torn from it's socket
before would vote for the Missouri Compromise -
A.. W.VENABLE, 1919 Locgoco Nashville CJnvent;on
IPiagorm-Misouri Compromise.'' ss9a.
Now, as do not conceive that i, is of much con-
sequence TO any people except those of my Dis
tr1ct, to whom am responsible, what nay opinions
are, either expressed or unexpressed, should for
bear to take any notice Of the remarks above referred
70, bot for the fact that of them may be misled
IN oetermlnlng my position upon this subject. Dur
ing the canvass of the last summer used very strong
language on the subject of the Missouri Compromise
as an original measure, and declared that nothing
would have induced me to have voted for il when
adopted In 1919. may have used the very express
ION a"routed to me, with this important difference,
sour Compromise when it adopted and not to its
extension over the territories acquired by the treaty
xih Mexico. ] uniformly declared, and do now de-
Glare, that as an original measure it was deeply niu-
ous to the South, both assumption of power at
the time, precedent against u.s. as we'll as an appro-
IPriauon OF large portion of the public domain.
But also said that adopted tile price Of peace;
and although / believed the policy which dictated
that course to be founded in mistake, yet as it had
acqolesced in truly by the South for thirty years.
had no inclination disturb it, and would consent
10 its extension TO the Pacific.
- In Speech delivered by me June lst, 184S, in the
house OF Representatives, and which was extensive
~ rePablshed in the papers of North Carolina and
other States, well distributed amongst all of my
constituents. made the distinct offer of the Missouri
a Saftl ~ H.
now agitates the country.
then said "With this view, sir, declare we
are content to abide the Missouri Compromise-not
That we believe that Congress had any right to annex
any soch condition or to enact any such law; but
the compromise having been made and acquiesced in
tor near thirty years, there is purpose entertained
by any Southern statesman to disturb it If this
compromise would adjust the dfference-if it will
compose this trouble, we are content to abide it, and
the renewal OF its operation recognized by the law
admitting Texas into the Union and adjusting its
territorial limits. In doing this and entering our pro-
test to the power of Congress to make the Compro-
mlse we say to fellow citizens of the non-slave-
holding States, We have made large concessions;
nave given up a large Territory to which slave
holders cannot remove we have consented to make
it exclusively yours-whilst we have placed no res
friction to prevent you from the occupation of Terri
tories TO which We permitted to come. This con-
cession abrldges rights without any equivalent
being paid by you; yet for peace harmony and good
VIC udVe dCquleSceQ ana Will commune TO dcQul.
esce, and are now willing that the same parallel of
latitude may be recognised until it reaches the Pacific
shore, 1t that is the last concession which shall be
demanded. -
Again say: "I have said thus much, sir, in rela-
lion TO the Missouri Compromise and its legitimate
can stand, both North and South. The South, in
deed, shorn Of some of her privileges, but willing
to concede them for tranquility and reposeyelding,
but with proestando- in but not approv
ing the measure acknowledging the right to enact
Again, in the same speech say: Let the lines
OF the Missouri Compromise extend to the Pacific.
lake that invaluable Territory, including the richest
and the best which the sun shines upon; but leave
US rights, shorn indeed of much Of their extent
and although you hold in your hands the sword of
the law to exclude US, will place no obstruction
to emigration from your portion of this great Repulic.
The doctrines of this Speech frquently repli-
ed to in the discussions of the campaign Of 1o49,
and more than attempt made to fix the charge of
upon me in my opinions as to the pro-
priety of adopting the Missouri Compromise as ba-
sis of settlement. have no doubt but that the men,
ory of thousands will sustain me in this that uni
formly declared that the Missouri Compromise, as an
original measure, was unconstitutional, unjust to
the South, and the cause of this agitation now-be-
cause one concession to an unjust demand always
encourages another encroachment; that the whole
South in 1919 ought to have resisted it at all hazards,
but it was adopted and had been acquiesced in for
thirty years that the South had scrupulonsy obser
we'd it, as in the extension of the line into Texas;
that it was supposed to be the price Of peace. and
that still willing, and the South were willing,
to rest upon it and accept it as settlement. These
are still my opinions, and declare it to my const
uents and to the world that the South can accept
nothing less without degradation.
You will oblige me by giving this letter place
in your columns, that those who have been msled in
relation to my views may have opportunity of do
ing me Justice; but above all that the cause of the
South may not suffer by the position which even its
humblest advocate is made to occupy by misappre-
hension of his words or his opinions. =.
Yours sincerely,
A. w. VENABLE.
To w. w. HOLDEN. Ii