The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-07-08

newlng, IN congress or out OF II, the agitation
of the slavery question, under whatever shape
or color the attempt be made. Soon after
wards another National Convention assembled
in the same city. and assuming the right to de-
clare the sentiments of the wing party, said
We deprecate all further agitation of the ques::
tions thus settled. as dangerous to the peace,
and will dlscountenance all efforts to contin-
ue or renew such agitation, wherever, or how
ever made. The present administration was
elected or the principle of adherence to this
compromise and the President referring to it
in his inaugural speech declaring that the har-
mony that had been secured by it should not
be disturbed during his term Of office. The
President, recurring to the same subject re-
newed his pledge in his message to Congress.
at the beginning Of the present session, in the
following language:
but notwithstanding the differences Of
opinions and sentiments which then existed in
relation to details and specific provisions, the
acquiesccnce of distinguished citizens whose
devotion to the Union can never be doubted
has given renewed vigor to our institutions
and secured sense of repose and security to
the public mind throughout the confederacy.
That this repose is to suffer no shock during
my official term, if have the power to avert
it, those who placed me here may be assured"
Under these circumstances the proposition
to repeal the Missouri Compromise was sud-
denly and Unexpectedly made by the same
committee on Territories which only ten days
before had affirmed the sanctitv of the Missouri
Compromise and declared the end of agitation,
in the following explicit and unmistakeable
language:
Your committee do not feel themselves call
ed upon to enter into discussion of these con-
troverted questons--they involve the same
great issues which produced the agitation, the
sectional strife and fearful struggle of 1850
As Congress deemed it wise and prudent to re-
fran from deciding the matters in controversy
, then. either by affirming or repeating the Mex
lean laws, or by an act declaratory by it to
slave property in the territory, so your COM
mittee are not prepared now to recommend a
a departure from the course pursued upon that
memorable occasion. either by affirming or re-
pealing the eight section section of the Nilsson
ri act, or by all act. declaratory of the mean
ing of the constitution in respect to the legal
/ points in dispute.'
The abrOgation has been effected in pur-
suance of the demands of the administration it.
self. and by means of influence on Congress-
In the House of representatives. that body
which is more Immediately responsible to the
people, the cOntos 1t was more equal than in the
Senate, though it is due to justice and candor
that it should be stated that it could not have
been carried in either house without the votes
Of the representatives from the free States
The minority resisted the attempts to arrest
discussion upon this grave question through
a struggle of longer duration than any other
known to Congressional history. An attempt
was made to stigmatse that minority as fac
tionists. yet We fearessly declare that through
out the contest they resorted solely to the pow
er secured to them by the law and rules Of the
House and the passage OF the measure through
the House was effected through suspension
Of the rules 10y the ma lority, and the exercise
of a power unprecedented in the annals OF Con-
gressiOnal legislation.
The deed is done. 1t is done with clear
proclamation by the administration, and by
Congress that the principle which it contains
extends not only to Kansas and Nebraska, but
to all the other Territories now belonging to
the United States, and to all which may here
after be acquired. 1t has been done unncces-
sarily and wantonly. because there was no
pressure for the organization ofgOvcrnmcnts in
Kansas and Nebraska, neither of which Terri
tories contained one lawful inhabitant who was
a citizen of the United States: and because
their was not only danger ofdisunol apprehcnd-
ed, but by this reckless measure the free States
have lost all the guarantee for freedom in the
Territories contained in former compromises !;
while all the States. both slave and free, have
lost the guarantee of harmony and union which
those compromises afforded. 1t seems plain to
us that, fatal as the measure is in these re-
spects. it is only n cover Tor broader prOpagan-
dism of slavery in the future.
The object of the Administration, and many
who represent the slave States is, as we be-
lieve, to prepare the way for anneXing Cuba
at whatever cost and a like annexation of a
half a dozen of the States Of Mexico, to be adj
mtted also as slave States. These acquisitions
are to be made pcaceably. if they can be pur-
chased at the cost Of hundreds of millions. If
they cannot be made pcaccably, then at a cost
of war with Spain. and war with England,
and war with France and at the cost of an
alliance with Russia, scarcely less repugnant
Unmistakeable indications appear of purpose
to annex the eastern part of San Domingo and
to suhjugate the whole island restoring it to
the dominion of sla-ery and this is to be fol-
lowed up by an alliance with Brazil, and the
extension Of slavery in the valley of the ANA
zon. 1t is for you to Judge whether when sla-
very shall have made these additions to the
United States, it will demand an uncondition-
al submission on the part of the free States,
and, failing in that demand, attempt a with
drawal of the slave States, and the crganiza-
ton of a scpcrate empire in the central regions
Of the continent. From an act so unjust and
wrongful in itself. and fraught with conse-
quences so fearful, we appeal to the people
We appeal in no sectional spirit-we appeal
equally to the North and to the South, to free
States and to the slave-holding States them
selves. 1t is no time for explanation, or for
passion. and We therefore speak calmly of the
past and warn you in the future. 1t would not
become us, nor is it necessary. to suggest the
measures which ought to be adopted in this
great exigency. For ourselves we are ready
to do all in our power to restore the Missouri
compromise, and to execute such further meas
ures as you in you wisdom shall command, and
as may be necessary for the recovery of the
ground lost to freedom and to prevent the fur
Their aggression Of slavery.
SOLOMON FOOT, Chairman.
DANIEL MACE,
REUBEN E. FENToN, Secretaries.
The meeting was fully attended. and the ad-
dress is endorsed by all the anti-Ncbraska men,
GERS Of Congress.
WASHINGTON, June "a.
Chas W WeIcb ESD has been annoiptcl