Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-06-06

offerings OF $50, had not ceased and while the
words OF sober congratulation, which were every
where heard from the friends of the Union, We're
still saluting our ears.
II is difficult, sir, to recnr " the history OF
the Missouri Compromise, and more difficult to
estimate the consequences Of its repeal, without
considering at the same time, some other epochs
in our political history, equally remarkable for
the passions which they engendered, and the in
terests they imperilled We cannot forget tho
struggle of 1889, which severely tried the
strength OF the Federal Union, and resulted in a
repeal of the alien and sedition laws, which pro-
duced it. This contest, from its very nature,
could not have been sectional as the principles it
established were applicable alike to every section
of the country. Hence the struggle OF 1850
never has and never will be revived
Not So however with the Missouri crisis Of
1920, the Modification dangers Of 1928, and
the more recent contest of 1850, MT which several
periods the integrity of the Federal Union was
involved. These contests were all sectional; they
originated in difference of pursuits of institu-
tions, of interests, and of education. Hence the
difficulty of healing the wounds which were in
flicted during these struggles and hence the dan
ger of re-openng now those questions which
then proved so fearful, and in the adjustment of
which the best talents and the loftiest patriotism
were SO eminenty displayed.
Compromise cannot be properly estimated at this
time, without recurring to the events which pro-
duced it, shall review these events, at the risk
of being considered tedious. II was the first
time that the slave and non-slaveholding States
were found arrayed against each other; and the
first time, ince the adoption of the Federal Con-
stitution, that Slavery began to be considered
with reference to political power.
In lsl9 Mr. Scott, Qhcn u delegate from the
Territory of Missouri presented to Congress a
memorial asking that the Territory Of Missouri
might be permitted to form Constitution of State
Government, and be admitted into the Union,
upon an equal footing with the original States.
Pending the consideration of this question in
Congress, various efforts were made for the re-
striction of Slavery-some proposing to apply the
restriction to the unorganiZed territories west of
the Mississippi, while others embraced, also, the
then Territory of Missouri. Slavery existed at
that time in the Missouri Territory, and the North
required that Missouri, in forming State Con-
stitution, should abolish or not recognise it. This
proposition, to restrict Slavery in the State of
Missouri was entertained and insisted on by the
Northern members of the House of Representa-
tives, who then, as now had q very decided ma
jority. The Senate held different views, and was
unwilling to impose any restriction on the SLATE,
i'm the formation of its Constitution. Thus, the
two Houses could not agree the session was far
advanced, and this delicate and perplexing ques-
ton, which then seemed so ominous of evil, was
unadi usted Argument and entreaty had been
exhausted in vain. The frmest and most expe-
renced statesmen began TO tremble for the safety
of the Republic rs they beheld the people and
their representatives about to hazard the peace
of the country and the union of the States, by
protracting this unnatural struggle between the
members of common brotherhood. But, hap
PLY for the country, forbearance and concession
were able, at last TO avert the danger and soothe
into tranquility the storm ofpoltical and section
al fury.
On the 10th of February, 1920, Mr.. Thomas, a
Senator from Illinois, renewed his proposition, to
restrict Slavery in all the territory mest of the
Mississippi north Of $50 30f north latitude except
scitLin he proposed limits Of The State Of Missouri.
The proposition of Mr.. Thomas was what has
since been called the Missouri Compromise "
and is in these words:
"And be IL further eaacfsd That in all that terri
tory ceded by France to the United States under the
of Louisiana which lies north OF 80 degrees 80
minutes north latitude, excepting only such part
thereof as is included within the limits Of the State
contemplated by this act, slavery and involuntary
servitude otherwise Il in the punishment of crimes
whereof the party shall have boon duly convicted
shall be- and is hereby, forever prohibited Pyopdd
ailcoys That any person escaping into the same
from whom labor or service is lawfully claimed in
any State Territory OF the United States, such flu
gitiye NAV be lawfully reclaimed, and conveyed to
the person claiming his or her labor service, NJ
aforesaid"
This proposition restricting Slavery north OF
SEQ 30r was adopted in the Senate, rs an amend
ment TO the bills then pending, for the admission
of Maine and Missouri, by the following vote:
"For tho amendment - Messrs. Brown, Burrill,
Dana, Dickorson, Eaton. Edwards, IIorsoy, Hunter,
johnson Of kentucky, johnson Of Louisiana King OF
Alabama, King of New York, Lanman, Leake, Lloyd.
Logan Lowrie Mcllen, Morrill,. Otis, Palmer, PARROT,
Pinkney Roberts Ruggles, Sanford, Stokes, Thomas,
Tichenor, Trimblc. Van Dyke, Walker OF Alabama,
Williams Of Tennessee, Wison--3f.
Against the amendment-Messrs Barbour FL
lott dailard Macon. Noble, Piessants Smith, Tay-
lor, Walker Of Georgia, Williams Of Mississippi-lO'
AMER the "Missouri Compromise" had been
thus made part Of the bill providing for the adj
mission Of Maine and Missouri, the question was
taken on ordering the bill as amended TO be en-
crossed, aud read third time, with the follow
ing result:
"AYEs-Messrs Barbour. Brown. Eaton, Edwards,
Elliott Gaillard, Horsey. Hunter, johnson Of Ken
lucky, johnson Of Louisiana, King of Alabama,
Leake, Lloyd, Logan, Parrot. Pinkney, Peasants,
Stokes, Thomas, Van Dyke, Walker Of Alabama,
Walker Of Georgia Williams Of Mississippi, Williams
OF Tennessec-A.
"Noxs-Messrs Burrill, Dana, Dickerson. King
OF Now York. Lanmsn, Lowrie Macon. Mellen, Nor
rin Noble, Otis, Palmer, Roberts. Ruggles, Sanford,
Smith, Taylor, Tichenor, Trimble, Wilson-2O.'
Among these affirmative voters in the Senate,
who thus recorded their votes in favor Of the
Missouri Compromise" were Barbour and Pleas
ants, of Virginia Brown and Johnson, of Louisi-
ana Eaton and WILLIAMS, Of Tennessee Elliott
and Walker, Of Georgia Galliard, of South Car
olina RICHARD NJ. Johnson and Logan, OF Ken
lucky Lloyd and Pinkney, of Maryland VIII
LIAM II. KING Qate Vice Presidency and Walker,
Of Alabama Lcake and Williams Of Mississippi
Van Dyke and lIorsey, Of Delaware; and Stokes,
Of North Carolina--making hceny Senators from
the South. Only four Senators from the North
voted for IL, and eighteen against IT, But t,co SEN
ators from the South, Mr.. Macon, Of North Car
olina, and Mr.. Smith, Of South Carolina,) voted
in the negative.
The Missouri Compromise having passed the
Senate, was sent 10 the House Of Representatives
where il was acted on, the I'd Of March, 1920.
The main question was taken on inserting in the