The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-28

ted, and that she would secure her equal right te
the new territory. We observed that We thought
not-that somebody would propose the Mis-
souri, Compromise line, and that enough South
ern members would support it, to secure it
He mused moment, and said perhaps, nay
probably, it would be patched up that way, and
that although he would not support such
measure, as he thought it unconstitutional, he
would nevertheless acquiesce. And afterwards,
the proposition was made in the Senate, and did
receive the almost unanimous pote Of the South
ern senators.
Mr.. STEPHENS asks US to what he reiredted
and asks whether it was or is retreat to say to
the South that they were and are bound in hon
or to say nothing Of patriotism, to abide by that
action of their government, which was in con-
formity with the demands of large majority OF
her own peoplef To this we answer, that the
retreat of Mr.. STEpHENs consists in the discrep-
ancy between his position in ls4s, on the CLAY
TON Compromise, and his position in 1850 on
the Clay Compromise. In his speech OF lS4S
he said
ain regard to these territories and the rights
of the South, / hold that when the stipulations
Of the late treaty shall be complied with, and
the money paid which is provided for in it, they
will constitute an acquisition, made at the cost
Of the common blood and treasure of the whole
Union, towards which the South contributed as
generously as the North, and in ,ohich the South
Is entitled 10 just and equal participation; and
that il is the duty Of Congress 10 see TO Il that The
Just and equal rights of my section are guarded,
protected and secured by all necessary legislation
Now let us ask Mr. STEPHENS what participa-
ton the South has secured, by legislation in
any of the territory?
Why, in all that vast territory, the most val
liable ever acquired, the right of the South to-
enter and to occupy the most important of Po-
itical, pecuniary and social rights, is not worth
hundred dollars.
Mr.. STEPHENS commended in his speech on the
CLAYTON Compromise, that the laws of Mexico
remained in force in the new territory until re-
pealed by Congress, and that they prohibited
slavery. And he said:
81 shall neuer give my sanction while have a
seat on this floor to any Legislation on the part
of Congress, by which the rights of the South
ern people to an equal and just participation in
these territories, while they remain as territories
shall be endangered, nor shall those rights be en-.
dangered or surrendered by my approval, by a
continuance of the municipal laws OF Mexico.
Now, according to Mr.. STEPHENS, the muni-
cipal laws of Mexico are still in force in New
Mexico and Utah-for they have not been re-
pealed by Congress-. The acts for the govern
ment of those territories passed by the last
Congress, ss part of the Compromise provide,
indeed, that they may be received into the
Union, with or without savery-as their constr
tutions may prescribe al The time Of their admis-
sion. But, as Mr.. STEPHENS contends that the
Supreme Court would be bound to decide
against the right of master to his slave in any
of them, unless slavery is established there by
Congress, or by their State constitutions, it fol-
lows that now after the Compromise, the rights
and interests of the South in them are not only
endangered, but absolutely forfeited. If the
support of the CLAY and CAss Compromise is
not retreat from the grounds assumed in OPP
position TO the CLAYTON Compromise, by Mr..
STEPHENS, we don't know what retreat is.
But Mr.. STEPHENS himself has admitted his
retreat. He was, and is supporter of the
Georgia platform, if not one of its architects
That does not entirely approve, but acquiesces.
And II acquiesces not gracefully, but growlingly
ard menacingly in the Compromise, and threat
ems that II one more little aggressioni is commit.
ted against the South, Georgia will go for the
toughest kind Of disunion-she will 60 for dis.
ruption.
Mr.. STEPHENS said he claimed protection Of
slavery by Congress in the territories, but
that large msjoity in the South disclaimed il,
because they denied the validity Of federal leg.
islation on the subject And hence he claims
that il was not a retreat for him 10 say that they
were bound in honor, to say nothing Of patriotism
TO abide by the action of their government, which
was in conformity with the demands Of a large
majority Of her own people. But il does no,
appear in that light TO US. According TO him
he demanded more for the South than large
msjority Of her sons did. But, they consid.
cred, they got much less than they demanded
and hence, according 10 him, very much les:
than he demanded. Now, is II exactly the ap
propriate course for him to take, after having
been foremost 10 demands TO become one Of the
Foremost in acquiescence-and 10 divide his
speeches between censure Of his comrades fol
not insisting on more, and still louder censure,
for not submitting TO what they get confesscdlJ
much less than he thought they ought TO hay,
had.
But the truth is, those Who were disposed I,
accept, and even struggled TO obtain 36 30, wer
consistent For they held that Mexican Law
did not govern the territory, and knewth slu
very had always occupied every part Of thi
country, except where prohibited.
Mr.. STEPHENS says he does not admit that tn
! question is not settled. lie only said the crisi
4. ,,.t paaaad Very wali-wa think III ~