Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-02-28

Calhoun, and William Wirt-a majority of
whom were Southern men-that the prohibit
ton of slavery in the Territories was constitu-
tional. 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 of its
own statesmen at the time, and according to
unquestionable facts, was the conquering par
ty. 1t gained forthwith its darling desire, the
first and essential stage in the admission of
Missouri as a slave State successfully consum-
mated at the next session; and subsequently
the admission of Arkansas, also as a slave
State. From the crushed and humbled North
it received more than the full consideration
stipulated in its favor. On the side of the
North the contract has been more than eXecu-
ted. And now the South refuses to perform
the part which it originally proposed and as
sumed in this transaction. With the consid-
Grafton in its pocket, it repudiates the bargain
which it forced upon the country. This,
sir, is a simple statement of the present ques-
ton.
A subtle German has declared, that he
could find heresies i'll the Lords Prayer-and
believe that it is only in this spirit that any
flaw can be found III the existing obligations
of this compact. AS late as 1S48, in the dis
cussions Of this body, the Senator from Vir-
ginia, who sits behind me, Mr.. MASON,
while condemning it in many aspects, says:
Yet it was agreed to as Compromise by the South
for the sake Of the Unon lo0ld be The last TO disturb
It," Cong Globe, 4ppendip, LIST sess. Both Cong POL.
10, p. SsT
Even this distinguished Senator recognized
it as an obligation which he would not disturb.
And though disbeIeving the original constitu-
tionality Of the. arrangement, he was clearly
right. l know, sir, that it is in form simply
hr1fo tba Act nf Cot
England, declaring the rights and liberties Of
the subject and settling the succession of the
Crown, has become permanent part of the
British Constitution, irrepealable by any COM
mon legislation, so this act under all the cir
cumstanco5 attending its passage, also by long
acquiescnce and the complete performance Of
Its conditions by one party, has become part
OF our fundamental law, irrepealable by any
common legislation. As well might Congress
at this moment undertake to overhaul the orig
NAL purchase Of Louisiana, as unconstitution-
al, and now, on this account, thrust away
that magnificent heritage, with all its cities,
States and territories, teeming with civiliza-
ton. The Missouri Compact, in its upper
formed obligation to Freedom, stands at this
day as impregnable as Louisiana purchase.
appeal to Senators about me, not to dis
turb it. l appeal to Senators from Virginia,
behalf by James Barbour and Charles Fenton
Mercer. appeal to Senators from South Car
DINA, to guard the work of John Gaillard and
William Lowndos. l appeal to the Senators
from Maryland, to uphold the Compromise
which elected the constant support of Samuel
Smith, and was first triumphantly pressed by
the unsurpassed eloquence of Pinkney. | ap-
peal to the Senators from Delaware, to main
tain the landmark Of Freedom in the Terrific
ry OF Louisiana, early espoused by Louis Nc
Lane. l appeal to Senators from Kentucky,
not to repudiate the pledges of Henry CLAW
l 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, L
have heard of an honor, that felt stain like
wound Ii there be any such In tlis cham
ber-as there surely is-it will hesitate to take
upon itself the stain of this reputation.
Sir, Congress may now set aside this obliga-
ton, repudiate this plighted faith, annul this
compact; and some OF you forgetful of the
majesty CfhoRest dealing, in order to support
slavery, may consider it advantageous to use
this power. To all such let me commend af a.
miliar story: An eminent leader in an
tiquity. Themistocles, once announced to the
Athenian assembly, that he had a 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 secret and report upon it. His
brief and memorable Judgment was, that
while nothing could be more advantageous to
Athens, nothing could be more unjust; and
the Athenian multitude, responding at once,
rejected the proposition. 1t appears that it
was proposed to burn the combined Greek
fleet, which then rested in the security OF
peace in neighboring sea, s. thus confirm the
naval supremacy Of Athens. A similar prop
osition is now brought before the American
Senate. You are asked to destroy safeguard
of freedom, consecrated by solemn compact,
under which the country is now reposing in
the security Of peace, and thus confirm the SUI
premacy Of slavery. To this institution and its
partizans, Incorporation may seem to be advan-
tageous but nothing can be more unjust Let
the Judgment of the Athenian multitude be
yours.
This is what have to say upon this head.
l now pass to the second branch of the argu-
ment
II. Mr.. President, it is not only as an in
fraction Oft solemn compact, embodied in an
cient law, that l arraign this bill. arraign
it also as tiagrant and extravagant departure
from the original policy Of our fathers, conse-
Grated by their lives, opinions and acts.
ana mere, sir, Dear with me III a brief reel
tai of unquestioned facts. AT the period of
the Declaration Of Independence, there was
upwards of half a million colored persons in
slavery throughout the United Colonies. These
unhappy people were originally stolen from
Africa, or were the children of those who had
been stolen, and though distributed through
out the whole country, were to be found in
largest number in the Southern States. But
the spirit of freedom then prevailed in the
land. The fathers of the Republic, lead
ers in the war Of independence, were then
struck with the inconsistency of an appeal for
their own liberties, while holding in bondage
their fellow-men, only guilty Of skin not
colored like their own The same convic-
ton animated the hearts of the people, wheth
er at the North or South At atown meeting
at Danbury Connecticut, held on the 18th Of
December, l778, the following declaration
was made =
1t is with singular pleasure we note the
second article of the Association, in which it
is agreed to import no more negro slaves, as
we cannot but think it palpable absurdity so
loudly to complain Of attempts to enslave as
while we are actually enslaying Others. Am.
1.aJs, - III