The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-07-07
q From tie Boston journal.
The Compromise Measures.

The series of measures known as u the
Compromise measures" are
L. The act providing for the admis.
sion of California. This act was bitter
ly opposed by the South, because the
constitution of the new State prohibited
slavery
2. The act establishing territorial
government for Utah.
g. The act establishing territorial
government in New Mexico. These two
acts were passed without the proviso a
gainst the introduction of slavery The
application of the proviso was earnestly
advocated at the North, but Mr.. Web
ster, after a careful survey of the whole
ground, and thoroughly informing him
self of the character of the climate and
population-the position and resources
of the two territories, arrived at the con
clusion that the North was contcnding
for an abstraction. He earnestly and
periodically. regardless of personal con-
siderations, recommended the friends of
freedom to cease contcnding for point
which was in reality of no practical inn
portance, and which threatened to bring
about dissolution of the Union, with all
its annallinp consequences The result
has shown the wisdom of the course re-
commended by Mr. Webster Nearly
two years have elapsed since territorial
governments were established in New
Mexico and Utah and nat Stare las
been corried to either tcyrifoyu
4. The act establishing the boundary
between Texas and New Mexico. This
was bitter pill for the North. as it gave
$4,000. 900 to Texas for territory which
it was generally believed rightfully be.
longed to New Mexico Due weight
however, was not given to the fact that
Texas claimed the boundary of the Rio
Grande before her admission into the
Union. and President Polk and his cabi.
net, and other high authorities, practi
cally acknowledged the Justice of the
claim We believe that the plan adop
ted was the best mode of disposing Of
this vexed question, especially in view Of
the fact that large part of the indem.
nifty money was, by express provision of
the law devoted to the payment of the
debts of Texas contracted previous to
her admission into the Union. These
debts were the cost of her independence
and the revenues from her customs were
pledged to her creditors for their redemp-
ton Texas added her quota to the az
gregate wealth of the States. and the
General Government of course assumed
her custom revenues. thus depriying her
of the means of paving her debts. In
view of these facts. we think the credi-
tors of Texas had fair claim against
the United States.
5. The act aboishing the slave trade
in the District of Columbia. This is
generally regarded as an important con
cession on the part of the South to
the cause of human freedom. 1t was Il
measure Offset BIZ
6. The fugitive slave law. This act
carries out an explicit obligation impo
scd by the Constitution. The North
contended for a trial by Jury in the State
where the alleged fugitive is seized. The
South conceded the Jury trial if it should
be demanded. but held that it should
take place as in the case of fupitiyes from
Justice, in the State whence the requisi-
ton emanated The act provided for
the appointment of commissioners. be-
fore whom the alleged fugitive should
be brought. and who should give all par.
ties a fair hearing and discharge or re-
mand the alleged fugitive as required by
circumstances. 1t cannot be denied that
if Jury trial had been granted. the pro-
vision in the Constitution for the rcsto.
ration of fugitives would have been prac.
ticallv annulled. No Jury of twelve men
likely to be empanncled in the free
States would unanimously agree to re-
store fugitive to slavery. The pres.
ent law is not so favorable to the fupi.
tive as could be desired. but its practi.
cal operation has not justified the fore
bodings of the friends of freedom. Not
more than twenty five fugitiyes have
been returned since the law went into
operation. period of nearly two wears
Probably within that time some thou-