Washington sentinel., 1854-04-05
THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE AND
THE COMPROMISE OF ls32.


THE COMPROMISE OF Is32.
The Missouri compromise, as it is called, was
compromise between dissolution Of the
Union and submission to that extent of the
unjust and unconstitutional exactons of the
north, and no more. The question was not of
compromise between the north and the south,
but wholly question on the part of the south,
whether it should be driven off, or would remain,
submitting to that extent of unconstitutional
oppression. 1t was deemed exclusively con-
cession to the north, for which nothing what.
ever was obtained in return.
The compromise on the tariff question was,
in the most solemn and binding sense, a COM
pact between the north and the south, so far as
it was in the power Of Congress to make COM
pact of agreement binding on their successors.
There was giving and taking; the compro-
| mise consisting in gradual reduction, through
n space of ten years, to the standard OF
the anti-tarifftes; vet at the very moment
the compromise had reached the point where
| it was to be beneficial to the south. it was I'M
hesitatingly and unscrupulously repealed bv
| the north. Where then was the zeal Of these
three thousand clergymen for the faith Of
solemn compacts? Why did they not then
pour in memorials on their representatives. to
| respect the faith of solemn, binding compact,
which had been made for the preservation of
the Union? Was it because their Aocks were
manufacturers and tariff men, who the moment
the solemn compact ceased to work for their
benefit, were desirous to get rid Of it? They
were silent then for the benefit of their con-
stituents. .S w..
And they are as noisy and clamorous now to
claim as solemn compact that portion only of
the Missouri compromise which will benefit
their Aocks by robbing the south of their rights,
and, although pretending not to want any more
land, to claim the whole. ...
But this same Missouri compromise Tor com
pact as they call i) requires the efficient return
Of fugitive slaves.
! If regard for solemn compacts be the true
motive for their memorial, there is one more
vehemently called for from them---for the faith
ful carrying out of the clause in regard to the
rendition of fugitive slaves, which they daily
see violated, not only without denunciation Of
its violators, but with commentator. ..
If the Missouri line of $50 30< be of so solemn
character, as mere matter of good faith, as
alleged by them, then how infinitely greater, as
a matter of good faith, is the appeal in favor OF
the fugitive SLAVE law; the one having only one
act Of Congress to recommend it. while the
other is consecrated by an express provision
in the Constitution itself, by the law of 1893
passed by the fathers of the Constitution ITSELF
by the Missouri compact itself, (so inviolable
in all its provisions favorable to the north, J
and by the compromise of 1850. -...H.
Yet these three thousand clergy have no
sensibility at the most repeated and daring VIC
ations of this clause of the Missouri compro
mise, made infinitely more sacred blythe Consti
tuition. Does not this view Of the case show that
at least some passion, some prejudice, perhaps
some sefshness, mingles, ,imperceptibly to them.
selves possibly, in their zeal for the preserva.
ton Of that clause only of this compact, sacred
in their eyes, which inures exclusively to the
benefit Of their own pockets?
We could extend these remarks, but they
will serve as seminal ideas, which every one
can elaborate in his own mind.