Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-21

sign il ill after the unanimous opinion Of
his Cabinet, in writing composed Of John
Quincy. Adams, William III. Crawford,
Smith Thompson, John G. Calhoun, and
William Wrt--a majority Of whom were
Southern men--that the prohibition Of
Slavery in the Territories was consttu-
tiona. Thus yet again the Compromise
takes its life from the South.
As the Compromise took its life from
the South, so the South, in the judgment
its own statesmen at the time, and ac-
according TO unquestionable facts, was
the conquering party. II gained at
once its darling object, the admission Of
Missouri as a slave State; and subse-
quently the admission Of Arkansas, also
as slave State. From the crushed and
humbled North, il received more than the
full consideration stipulated in its favor.
On the side of the North the contract has
been more than executed. And now the
South refuses to perform the part which
It originally proposed and assumed. With
the consideration in its pocket, il repudi-
ates the bargain which it forced upon the
country. This, sir, is simple statement
OF the present question.
A subtle German has declared, that he
could find heresies in the Lords Prayer
and ] believe it is only in this spirit that
any flaw can be found in the existing obi
cations OF this compact. As late as 1S4S.
in the discussions Of this body, the SEN
ator from Virginia, who sits behind ME,
Mr.. MASON, while contlemning il in
many aspects, says:
yet as il was agreed 10 us; a Compromise
by the South for the sake OF the Union, i ,eouM
be the last 10 disturb it, Congressional Globe,
.Appendir, Isl session, 3Oth Cong ress Pol 10, p.
Even this distinguished Senator recog-
Missed it as an obligation which he would
not disturb. And though disbelieving
the original constitutionalitv of the ar
rangement, he was clearly right. know,
sir, that it is in form simply legislative
act but as the Act of Settlement in Eng
land, declaring the rights and Liberties Of
the subject and settling the succession of
the Crown, has become permanent part
ofthe British Constitution. irepealable by
any common legislation, so this act, under
all the circumstances attending its passage,
also by long acquiescence and the COM
plete performance of its conditions by ole
party, has become part of our fundamen-
tai law, irrepealable by any common legis-
lation. As well might Congress at this
moment undertake to overhaul the origi-
nal purchase Of Louisiana, as ,mconstitu-
.tional, and now, on this account, thrust
away that magnificent heritage, with all
its cities, states, and territories, teeming
with civilization. The Missouri Compact,
in its unperformed obligations to Free
dom, stands at this day as impregnable as
the Louisiana purchase.
Iappeal to Senators about me, not to
disturb it. appeal to the Senators from
Virginia, to keep inyiolate the compact
made in their behalf by JAMES BARBOUR
and CHARLES FENToN MERCER. appeal
to the Senators from South Carolina, to
guard the work Of JOHN GAILLARD and
WILLIAM LowNDEs. | appeal to the
Senators from Maryland, to Uphold the
Compromise which elected the constant
support of Samuel Smith, and was first tri-
umphanrly pressed by the unsurpassed elo-
quence Of Pinkney. | appeal to the SEN
ators from Delaware, to maintain the land
mark of Freedom in the Territory of
Louisiana, early espoused by Louis Nc
Lane. appeal to the Senators from
Kentucky, not to repudiate the pledges of
Henry Clay. / appeal to the Senators
from Alabama, not to break the agreement
sanctioned by the earliest votes in the
Senate Of their late most cherished fellow
citizen, William Rufus King.
Sir, Congress may now set aside this
obligation, repudiate this plighted faith,
annul this compact; and some Of you,
forgetfn Of the majesty of honest dealing,
in order 10 support Slavery, may con-
slider it advantageous to use this power.
To all such let me commend familiar
story: An eminent leader in antiquity,
Themistocles, once announced to the
Athenian Assembly, that he had scheme
TO propose, highly beneficial TO the State,
but which could not be expounded to the
many. Aristides, surnamed the Just, was
appointed to receive the secfet, and to re-
port upon it. His brief and memorable
judgment was, that, while nothing could
be more advantageous to Athens, moth
ing could be more unjust; and the Athe-
Man multitude, responding at once, re-
jected the proposition. II appears that
it was proposed TO burn the combined
Greek fleet, which then rested in the secu-
rity of peace in neighboring sea, and
thus confirm the naval supremacy of
Athens. A similar proposition is now
brought before the American Senate. You
are asked to destroy safeguard of Free
dom, consecrated by solemn compact,
under which the country is now reposing
in the security of peace, and thus confirm
the supremacy of Slavery. To this insti-
tuition and its partisans it may seem TO be
advantageous but nothing can be more
unjust. Let the Judgment of the Aihenian
multitude be yours.
This is what have TO say on this head.
now pass TO the second branch of the