Washington sentinel., 1854-04-26


Mr.. Rathbun said:
"He came now 10 the Missouri compromise, 10
which gentlemen asked him 10 adhere. HOW We
il carried2 By thirteen northern yoles, ln1 ~
the number would not be enlarged now ~ m M
Teen northern votes abandoning their constituents,
and failing 10 do what they were bound IN con-
science and honor and upon their responsibility
MS representatives, 10 do. They were bound IN
conscience 10 vote against that compromise.
That was the time for the north to have ac-
cepted the oliye-branch, which was so repeat
ediy held out to her by the south. But, instead
of doing so, it was Indignantly rejected, and the
institutions of the south were angrily assailed,
particularly by those who were determined to
exclude the south from all participation in ter
ritory we might acquire from Mexico, and ap-
propriate it to themselves.
In 1913, while the Oregon bill was before
Congress, Mr.. DOUGLAS again proposed TO ex-
tend the Missouri line to the Pacific ocean Ii
was not only voted down, but the Wilmot pro-
viso was engrafted on the bill.
But southern Presidentofthe United States,
who now sleeps in his grave, and whose admin
istration shed so much lustre upon our institu-
tions, affixed 10 that bill his signature. Had
he then doubted the future observance of the
obligations Of that compromise when case
should arise in which its benefits would inure
to the south, his message upon the bill sufi-
cienty shows it never could have received his
signature. Then let not those who rejected
this line whenever it was proposed in 1850, and
ayowed their hostility to it because of its sup
posed benefits to the SOUTH now attempt to i'm
pose upon the credulity of an honest people by
the hypocritical cant for the sacred obligations
of compacts.
In December, 1919, application made TO
Congress by the people of The Missouri Territory
for admission into the Union State. The dis
cussion upon the subject in Congress involved the
question OF slavery, and was prosecuted with such
violence TO produce excilements alarming 10
every patriot in the Union. But the good genius
of cancellation which presided al the birth Of our
institutions finally prevailed, and the Missouri
compromise was adopted. The eighth section Of
the act of Congress the 9th of March, 1890, 'to
authorize the people of the Missouri Territory TO
form constitution and State government &c,
provides That, in all that territory ceded by
France 10 the UGiied States, under the name Of
louisiana which lies north of 36o 30 north lat-
tude, not included within the limits of the State
contemplated by this act, slavery and Involuntary
servitude Otherwise than in the punishment OF
crimes, whereofthe parties shah have been duly
convicted, shall be and is hereby forever prohib-
tied: PToUiied, aiicays That any person escaping
into the same from whom labor or service is law
fully claimed IN any State or Territory of the Uni
ted States, such fugitive may be lawfully reclaim
ed and conveyed TO the person claiming his or her
labor or service aforesaid
lronbied waters, and restoring peace and good
will throughout the Union.
The Territory OF Oregon lies far north of 500
3V. the Missouri and Texas compromise line. lis
southern boundary is the parallel offorty two
ing the intermediate distance TO be three hundred
and thirty geographical miles.
And II IS because the provisions of this bill are
not inconsistent with the terms Of the Missouri
compromise, if extended from The Rio Grande 10
the Pacific ocean, that have not felt at liberty 10
my nrfIn Hail nhron ito
RES south Of that compromise. the question pre-
senied for my consideration would have been of a
far different character, and my action upon il must
have corresponded with my convictions.
* Holding sacred trust the Executive au-
thority for the whole Union, and bound 10 guard
The rights OF all should be constrained by sense
OF duty, 10 withhold my official sanction from any
measure which would conflict with these import
an; Objects
The Nashville convention, which has been so
much misrepresented and so little understood,
composed of delegates who had met together
not to hatch treason as has been falsely charged.
but to consult for the common good, to avert
if possible, the threatened dancer, to assert the
equality of the southern States in the Union.
and the right of the southern people to carry
with them into our common territory their pro
perty, and to enjoy it while there, agreed to
take as settlement Of this question the Mis-
souri, compromise
The eleventh resolution Of that convention
declares:
g That in the event dominant majority shall
refuse TO recognise the great constitutional rights
we assert, and shall continue 10 deny the obga-
tions OF the federal government TO maintain them.
is the sense of this convention that the Terrific
ries should be treated as property and divided be-
tween the sections Of the Union, SO that the rights
Of both sections be adequately secured in their re-
specllve shares that we are aware this courseis
open 10 grave objections but we are ready 10 ac-
quesce in the adoption of the line of $50 80 north
latitude, extending 10 the Pacific ocean, ex-
treme concession upon considerations Of what is
due 10 the stability Of our Institutions
Having thus disregarded it, through a long
series OF years, and adhered TO it in no single
instance where the south would be benefited,
what shameless hypocrisy is it now, for the enc.
mics of this bill to accuse its friends with VIC.
lating plighted faith.
This offer, so repeatedly made--made, too, in
good faith by the best, truest, and ablest men
of the south, to restore peace and quiet to the
country to Danish the slavery question, Sc
fraught with danger to the Union itself. from
the halls of Congress-was not accepted.
Such was the aspect Of this question upon
the meeting of the thirty-frst Congress. The
spirit of abolition was rife and rampant, and
everywhere triumphant at the north. The south
had contributed largely of her treasure, and hel
sons had shed their blood on every field of bat
tie in Mexico, to acquire this territory; yet the
edict lad gone forth, that every foot of it should
be wrested from her and appropriated t. the
purposes Of freesoiers and abolitionists at the
north. Under these circumstances, a series oi
measures, known as the compromise of 1850.
was adopted. And permit me to say, that, in
my opinion, at least, large majority of the
southern people were opposed to that compro-
mise; but | speak here only for the constitu-
ents have the honor in part to represent on
this floor
proceed now not to discuss these measures,
but briefly to state the objections which many
Ia the south had to them But | wish it under
stood that question 10 mans motives nor i'm.
pugn his patriotism, for having sustained these
measures here or elsewhere.
First: the south objected to the admission Of
California, because no territorial government
had been organized for that Territory; because
Of the Irregularities attending the formation Of
her constitution, and because to the exclusion
of the southern people and their property, tha,