The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1851-07-17
The Clayton Compromise.

In our last number we stated that this
bill received the assent of almost the entire
south as represented in Congress- In the
Senate but three of all the Southern men,
bers-Messrs. Badger, Metcalfe and Under
wood-yoted against it, while only six nor
thern Senators voted for it. 1t passed in
July 1848, by vote of SO to 80. In the
House it was laid on the table by a vote of
112 to 97-only eight southern members
voting againt it. This bill was alphabetically
a southern measure and was accepted by the
most ultra of the assumed guardians of the
south, including South Carolina, as a COM
promise which included, if not everything
the south asked, sufficient guarantee and
protection to satisfy the vigilance of even
John c. Calhoun, who voted for it. TWAS
voted for, too, as compromise, and accepted
and supported as compromise by the same
men who are now so bitterly opposed to all
compromises.
Previous to its passage every effort which
talent and ingenuity could devise was made,
to introduce into the bill, the line of $50 30,
but without success. Mr.. Calhoun, was con-
stitutionally opposed to this line, but was till
willing it should be adopted as a compromise.
And further, the Clayton compromise was
approved and sustained by almost every man
in the south, and general regret was mani
Tested when the bill was lost in the House.
THE southern members who defeadted it
were assailed most bitterly-their motives
called in question, and the epithet of "traitors
: to the south" was freely bestowed upon them
by the very men among US who now de
nounce the adjustment measures passed /
: the last Congress. Did not the Mobile Reg
t lister and Judge Bragg, with the Mobile Ad
c vertiser, approve the Clayton Compromise
t If they did, which we presume viii not b
: denied, We ask why they denounce the pres
: ent compromise so violently, as insulting
!, aggressive, and unjust to the south? s.
It far as the principles involved in the two bill
: are concerned, we ask wherein do they differ
+ Why are those southern men who supports
; the Clayton bill so mneh opposed to the com
y promise bills passed by the last Congress
# Mr.. Clayton's bill recognized the doetrin
e then strennously contended for by the soutl
1t Of Intervention. The South, with Ill
e Calhoun attheir head, took the ground tha
y Congress had no constitutional right to les
= A~AsssS ~ ~ t@og I'D 1lAS
s. that II should legislate for them as thong
y the Institution Of slavery was not In exls
s. ence and tho Clayton compromise recot
sc missed that principle by providing that th
o territorial legisla should not legislate f
Of 81 against the institution Of slavery. III
g Calhoun also contended, and was sustaine
81 BIZ the South to man, that the Constitute
tolol the United States vas extended over Il
Sc Territories the moment they were acquired |
# treaty, and that chat instrument protects
y the STAKEHOLDER in his rights, If be choose
le- carry his property into those territories; Al
= also abolished the Mexican law st the san
iu- time. The Clayton compromise reeognis
re that principle b providing that's questio
We lof property in slaves should be appealat
no directly to the supreme Court Mr.. G
'ty horn then declared that the South asked
so mo special legislation for the Profession
re- this property that the constitution wa
lyy sufficient guaTTantee.
on The leading features Of the late comp
mise bills are identical WITH she positi1n