The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-14
CONGRESSIONAL.
srEEoH OF nr. sam noUsros.

On the subject Of COMPROMISE delivered IN HE Senate of
the United States, February 3. 1850
The Senate having uader consideration the resolutions
Mr. HOUSTON arose and addressed the Senate as fol.
Mr.. PREsIDEsr: However incompetent, may be to re.
pay the Senate Tor their courtesy permitting TO ad-
dress them at this time, and upon this subject feel that
II my duty 10 otter my respectful, frank, and
candid MANNER as representative Of that State whose
interests involved in tn resolutions offered for
consideration by the distinguished senator from Kentucky
IMr CLAY1 And in his connexion, trust il may not
be considered out OF place for TO make
on resolution which offered some days since It is
not s bai exps 70 instruct ~ Or sdy this assembly
bent upon me. While other gentlemen, more distin-
gushed more able and more enlightened upon all sub
ects than myself casting into the treasury of know
cdge their abundance may be allowed to cast in my
mia cln only assure you, Mr. President. mar noone
feels sincere desire than myself to the present
agitation OF this country camed, and the violent emotions
which have influenced the deliberations OF the Congress
Of the United States put to rest All that regret s that
my ability is 20 inadequate to the acconpshmen, o. me
vain. trust that shall not be without gentlemen OF
influence in this chamber to step forward and advocate
this Union The harmony Of these States and the happ
OF us all. II subject OF importance, and
one in which all others are involved.
These considerations awaken my solcitude for the
adoption Of the resolution which had the honor few
days since TO submit The Senate cannot be expected
that the country will enjoy either happiness prosperity,
while we see practical suspension Of that congress
sonal action which is necessary TO the maintenance Of
general prosperity or until Congress again. in good earn
est u6ls the duties which devolved upon il by vir
tue Of its Representatives character trust Mr Presi-
dent that may not be inappropriate to request the read
ing Of the resolution submitted BY me.
[Mr FooTE here requested the senator from Texas to
give way for moment, that he might make motion for
the suspension Of the rules Of the Senate with regard to
admission upon the floor of the chamber He had just
received notice that there were many ladies waiting
without who had not been able gain admttance in the
gallery, and who were anxious to hear the remarks OF
the honorable senator from Texas.1
The rules were suspended by unanimous consent
The resolution was then read as follows
"Whereas Congress Of the United States, possessing
OF negro slavery within the limits OF the United Sates
either prohibit interfere with it in the States Terrific
es district, where, by municipal law II now exists.
to establish any State Territory where does
exist but as an issuance and guaranty @ promote hsImo
which, by possibility might impair or weasen love and
devotion 70 the Union in any part OF the country Is
Rsolved. That the people in the Territories have the
States ha, il in the Of Inherent right lhe people
the newly acquired Territories, by the annexatou of
south Of the parallel Of s6 deg and 80 min Of ari
de, extending the Pacific shall establish
slavery pronbit that such establishment prohibition
ofnegro slavery the formation Of their ae governments,
shall be objection the admission of such State
ion Of the United States"
Mr. HOUSTON resumed. Mr.. President, my object in
the introduction of this resolution to present
ground which believed was equitable and just between
the conflicting interests and rreudices OF this country
believe the first place. that the Congress OF the United
subject OF slavery either within the Territories or any
other section of the Union This averment is contained
in the resolution which have presented and whatever
the decision OF this body may be with reference 10 the
subject, have great reason to defer to the opinions OF
gentlemen superior to myself in knowledge and expert
ence; nevertheless in my humble way have the right
to ntep0se opinion where the interests oil the cou
try, and every individual within the conederacy,
vitality and materially affected II is equally my duty
express here such sentiments entertain upon sub
Iec which involves, as consider, not only my interests
and the interests OF my constituents, but the dearest
teests oil every citizen OF the United States For sir, ii
the constitution is dsregHded the power OF
ton is admitted to belong to Congress- beyond the letter
Of the constitution where it is not indispensable TO the
existence of the nation maintain it is act OF usurpa.
ton, and ought not TO be exercised.
The North contend that they have right to interfere
with the subject OF slavery: hence the Wilmot Provlso
The South contend that the North has such nght-no
right to interfere with the subject OF slavery anywhere
and hence the principle is contended for that Congress
does not possess this power applicable to the Terrific
nes-no power arising from the terms oil the UNION be-
tween the North and the Southnone growing out OF the
constitution by which'they bound together Nor do
believe that Congress has, under the constitution, any
authority impose upon States asking for admission into
the Union any condition whatever. other than that OF
having republican form OF government la this view
an sustained by high auhonty-no less than that Of a
statesman OF long experience and DISTINGUISHED reputation
absent from his seat, Mr.. CALHoUs and IN mentioning
him, permit 10 express my sincere regret Tor the
cause which has withheld hlm IRON the discharge Of ~.
his physical suenngs than myself That gentleman, in
laying down his principles upon this subject 10 lsl7 de-
clared them in resolution of that day, almost IN the
terms OF the resolution inst read had not the benefit
Of the light OF that resolution when drew the sub
mlted by me, but, believe, had possessed II, could
not have been fortunate in the expression OF the
very view which entertained. tblr Calhoun's resou
hon was here read)
Rs'oped, That il fundamental principle in polit
zeal creed that people, in forming constitution, have
the unconditional right form and adopt the
which they may think best calculated their ber
W prosperity and happness and conformity thereto
no other condon imposed by the federal constitution
Siate in order be admitted into this Unon except that
It's constitution shall be republican,, and thai the impos
OF any other by Congress would only in VIOLA
ton oil the constitution, but direct conflict with the prin
clpc on which our political system rests"
Sir this is the old Missouri line policy and that which
should be adhered TO with reference 10 the Territories
which have been recently acquired We have examples
Of the adoption Of this policy various for
example, the admission OF Texas into this conederacy
Of States. have always believed Mr. President, that
Congress does not possess the power to interfere with the
subject OF slavery and further believe that far any
expectation hope of compromise is involved in this
natter the only method for the attainment OF that object
for the North abstain from all encroachmenis upon
southern rights The surrender of fugitive slaves is
guaranteed by the constitution and can conceive no Sc
ous Of difficulty that can grow out oil thai ques-
lion, il the constitutional provision is regarded Let the
North abstain iron all encroschments upon southern
ghis in relation to the Territories and the District Of
Columbia then believe that all serious ground OF com
plant, upon the part OF the South, will be removed
! maintain, when the Territories are erected into
States BY their action that in the formation OF their
constitutions under which they ask admission, the peo-
pie o the Territories have the right TO give their own
iorm TO their own institutions, and In their own way.
Let these grounds be assumed-and they are grounds