The Yazoo Democrat., 1854-02-15
The RevtvnI OF AgtrntiOn.

The principle of congressional non-interven-
ton in the Nebraska question is creating great
excitement among the factionists, and the spirit
Of fanaticism on this point is thoroughly aroused
The revival of fagitation is confidently expected.
and from the recent exhibitions of hostility to the
territorial bill now before congress, by the lead
ers OF the agitators, the breasts of all peace-lov
ing citizens, may well be filled with apprehen-
sion and alarm.
The compromise of 1920, commonly known as
the Missouri compromise. indicates by its provi-
sions the power of congress to interfere in the
internal affairs of territory, far the regula
ting of slavery within its limits is concerned
This act at the time Of its passage met with vio-
lent opposition by eminent men, both OF the
north and south, and was pronounced as an act
unwarrantsd by the constitution, but for the sake
of restoring harmony to distracted country,
was adopted-not as inality, but as tempora-
ry expedient only.
The South, although insisting upon the uncon-
stitutionality of the prohibition thus engrafted
upon the policy of the country, has never shown
any disposition to repudiate the act. For thir-
ty years the compromise of Missouri formed the
boundary of free and slave territory, and was res
pected in the admission of Texas, so far as regar
ded that portion Of the republic lying north o.
So degrees 80 minutes.
The Compromise of 1850 virtually annulled
the Missouri Compromise and left in the hands
of the citizens of territory the right to regulate
their internal domestic concerns. 1t now be-
comes necessary to organize territorial govern
e. n II
ately west of Missouri, and extending both
North and South of the dividing line.
The people of the South insist upon their
sovereign right to settle the same territory with
the same freedom from restriction, claiming
that they have the right, equally with the
North, to the benefits of the country, and
should be placed upon an equal footing in de-
termining whether slavery may or may not be
recognized as domestic institution in the al.
innate formation of any and all States there
from.
This principle was observed in the organiza-
tion of territorial governments for New Mexico
and Utah, and if the same principle cannot be
recognized in creating like governments for Ne
braska and Kensas, then the Compromise meas
effect.
The Missouri Compromise is nothing more
than the Wilmot Provso, in principle, and il
one is unconstitutional, the other must be
equally so. In the present territorial bill, the
validity of the Missouri Compromise is main.
tanned in the strongest terms, by abolitionists
and every strategem in the shape of ubtle ar
gument and consummate intrigue will be ex
erted to secure the prevalence of this principle
the principle Congressional restriction
The burden of abolition argument is that the
Missouri Compromise is compact which the
South cannot disregard without a violation o.
faith, This amounts to no argument at all
when considered together with the fact that the
Compromise Measures of 1850 in eff ct re-
pealed the Missouri restriction.
In the impending struggle with abolitionism
it is fortunate for the South, that it will no
encounter the opposition of the Executive
branch of the Government.