Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-08-04

lcflinB W ~ III HIS ihuu8uNt ele'Nff
declared that the harmony which had
been secured by itshould not be dis
t,ubed during his term Of Office. The
President, recurring tothe same sub-
ject, renewed his pledge in bis mess
age to Congress at the beginning OF
the present session, in the following
language;
Notwithstanding differences ofopin-
ion and sentiment which then existed
in relation to details and specific pro-
visions. the acquiesence OF distinguish
ed citizens, whose devotion to the
Union can neyor be doubled, has Civ
.en renewed vigor to our institu,ions,
and restored sense of repose and scr
'c,irity to the public mind through
.out the Confederacy. That this repose
is to suffer no shock during my Off
'cial term. i'll have tho power to avert
it. those who placed me here may be
assured" iiiefft f'i''.ss
Under these circumstancos.t the prop
osition TO repeal the Missouri Compro-
mise was suddenly and unexpectedly
made by the same Committee on Terri
tories which, only ten days before, had
affirmed the sanctity Of the Missouri
Compromise, and declared the end OF
agitation in the following explicit and
unmistakable language: g
Your Committee do not feel them
selves called upon 10 enter into a dis
'cussion Of those controyerted ques-
'tions. They involve the same grave
tissues which produced the agitation,
the sectional strife, and the fearful
struggle of 1850. AS Congress deem
ed il wise and prudent to refrain
from deciding the matters in contro-
'versy then, either by affirming or re-
'pealing the Mexican laws, or by an
.act declaratory of the true intent ol
the Constitution, and the extent OF
'the protection afforded by il TO slave
| property in the Territories, so your
COMMITTEE, are not prepared now to
recommend departure from the
course pursued upon Mat memorable
occasion, either by affirming or repeal
ing the eigth section of the Nilsson
ri act, or by any act declaratory
'of the meaning OF the Constitution
in respect to the legal points in dis
pute."
The abrogation has been effected in
i ir.urc.tonoo 81 fl,o IL fI, A 4
ministration, and by means Of its in
huence on Congress.
In the House Of Representatives,
THAT body which is more Immediately
Irresponsible to the people, the contest
was more equal than IN the Senate,
though is due to justice aad candol
that il should be stated, that it could
not have been carried in either House
without the votes of Representatives
from the free States.
The minority resisted The attempt tc
arrest discussion upon this grave ques
ton, through struggle of longer du'
ration than any other known to Con.
Igressional history. An attempt was
made to stigmatize that minority as re.
sorted solely TO the powers secured 4
them By Meia0, and HerulecfMe House
and the passage ofthe measure through
the House was effected only through Z
subversion ofits rules by the majority,
and the exercise Of power unprece
dented in the annals of Congressiona
legislation.
| The deed is done. 1t is done will
n clear proclamation, by the Admins
] traiion and by Congress, that the prin
I ciple which il contends extends no
only to Kansas and Nebraska, but tc
all the other Territories now belonging
to the United States, and TO all which
may hereafter be acquired. IL hai
been done unnecessarily andwantonly
because there was no pressure for th,
organization Of Governments in Kan
sas and Nebraska, neither Of which
Territories contained one lawful in
habitant who was o citizen ofthe Uni
I ted States; and because there was no
only no danger of disunion apprchen
ded, but even no popular agitation o
the question Of Slavery. BY this reck
less measure, the free States have los
! al the guarantees for Freedom in tht
Territories contained in former com
promises, while all the States, botl
slave and free, ,have lost the guarantee
of harmony aud union which those
compromises afforded.
II seems plain TO us that, fatal a
the measure is in these aspects, it il
only cover for broad propagandisn
Of Slavery in the future. The obiec
, Of the Administration, us we believe
and of muny who represent the slav,
, States. is to prepare the way for an
nexing Cuba, at whatever cost, and
: like annexation of half dozen of the
States of Mexico, TO be admitted also a
! slave States. It, a
+ These acquisitions are to be mad,
| peaceably, it they can be purchased a
/ the expense Of hunareds OF millions;
: they cannot DC made peacefully, thel
J at the cost of war with Mexico, ant
war with Spain, with England, an,
with France. and at the cost of an al
! lance with Russia. scarcely less re
: pugnant. Unmistakablo indication
appear. also. of a purpose TO anne,
. the eastern part Of San Domingo, an'
! SO to subjugatc the whole island ,resto
ring il to the dominion OF Slavery
: And this is to be followed up by NJ
alliance with Brazil, and the extension
| of Slavery in the valley of tho ANA
a zon. IL is for you TO Judge whether
{ when slavery shall have made thes
: additions TO the United States, it vii
. MT demand unconditional snhmiqsio,