Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-02-18

feow-men while at the same time the nation Ak large
was advancing to still higher degree, both socially and
as State sufficient to awaken in them patriotic
desire that this power might be speedily exerted. An
lghened and liberal view of the interests of society,
common country common destiny, invoked them, with
voice too powerful for denial, to establish at
once so wholesome and just That he might proceed
more intelgeny in the discussion Of the subject he
proposed to advert briefly to the condition in which il
by the debates of the last Congress- and would then
notice the objections which, with such indefatgable dill
gence and research then urged against the BILL both
10 this House and the other wing of the Capitol If the
directors to this measure had shown sufficient
why II should be rejected it was only because the
sons Tor Its passage were irresistible and overwhelming
Mr. d. then replied to various objections which had
been urged against the BILL and in conclusion stated the
great benefits which would be the result Of its adoption
Mr.. MACE said that he proposed to do what he had
never before done-to read from manuscript some re-
marks in opposition TO that feature Of the Nebraska bill
now pending in the Senate which contemplated repeal
OF the Missouri compromise act. No one could regret
more than himself that this unfortunate and exciting
question had been again thrust upon Congress- and con-
sequenty upon the nation at large 1t had become quite
frequent in certain quarters denounce all those who
opposed repeal of the Missouri compromise act as
Sofs and Aboitioniss but such charges he regarded
not and should continue he always had DONE to treat
them with contempt
To prevent being catechsed as to his former course he
reviewed the positions he had occupied this subject
stating that in the of S4S he sustained the doc
trne laid down by Gen. Cass in his Nicholson letter. and
that during the last Congress- whenever the question OF
endorsing the compromise measures of 1850 up he
recorded his vote in their favor with exception when
he was absent from the House
He then proceeded show that the assertion that the
Missouri compromise Of 1920 superseded by the
cpes Of the legislation of 1850 untrue and
the whole history Of the question Of slavery growing
out OF both of these compromises He also argued
prove that the Missouri compromise from the time of its
adoption up to the present tme had been considered
sacred as the Constitution itself
! Mr.. SHELTON followed, and addressed the House on
the subject He said that the bill recently in
troduced into the House. and upon which they would
be compelled to act involved question of so much i'm
portance that he could not consistently with his
duty, refrain from giving to the committee and the
try his opinions it, lie desired above all things that
great Confedery should dwell together in peace and
harmony. The people Of New Jersey required peace ;
they demanded pcace peace their strongest desire
He desired to foment no sectional feeling, excite
sectional hostility; in word to do nothing that would
in any way disturb the harmony and prosperity of
common country. But they would be compelled to
upon subject which did excite the public mind and
which involved, in his opinion the most momentous
sequences to the country and he approached with that
feeling of awe which every sensible man should expe-
rence in approaching question of such Importance and
magnitude.
Two years ago. when he FIRST took his sea. as mem
Der of this body after the organization of the House
series of resolutions presented asserting the
promise measures fnality, when members drilled
to the mark to vote that they should be such that
they should be sacred compact between the North and
the South As such they were bound in good faith to
carry them out but they called upon repeal
these contracts. Although he did not believe these
promises to be binding the Constitution yet he did
believe that the peace, harmony and good faith Of this
country at stake in the about be acted
He of those od-fashioned kind Of men who
believed that whenever contract entered into they
should stand by it, though they might have got the
worst of the bargain. He willing to stand by the
compromises of the Constitution and the various compro
misses which had been entered into by members this
floor They contracts, and such he could not
how honorable gentlemen could abrogate them. But
Southern gentlemen said the North rendered this abroga
ton of contract and would it be dshonorabe in them
accept it He would admit the validity of the argument
provided the North did tender this abrogaton But had
the North rendered surrender of the compromise of
1920 As by which to test this matter he would
suggest to gentlemen of the South to leave this question
to the representatives of the North If they should vol
unfairly agree to abrogae the contract 1t would be
fecty fair to do but long majority of the
of the North should claim that the
should be carried out, he could not how Southern
gentlemen could their with minority Of North
ern men for its repeal
Mr. S. then contended that the compromise of 1920
that of 1850 not incompatible and consumed the
remainder of his hour in argument to show why the
former should not be repealed.
| Mr.. MEACHAM then obtained the floor when
| The committee and the House adjourned.