Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-04-29

stricfion passed and the more moderate among
them declared it to be their settled determination,
,bandoned all other business, to vote in that event
or All immediate adjournment of Congress, that
hey might 60 home to their constituents to inform
hem of what had happened, and to know If they
hould ever return again. And all this, with much
more Of the same character, merely because 1t wa
proposed to the people Of Missouri, that they, not
Congress should prohibit the further extension of
Slavery in that territory That this apparatus
and intimidation might want no circumstances TO
complete to stragne effect it 50 happened, on the
last day. or rather night (for Congress has been in
session, Of late, till nearly ten o'clock that Mr.
Mercer, Fedoralist from Virginia, while speaking
warmly against the restriction, twice tainted away
and was carried of amidst the confusion Of the
House. but returned in season TO give his vote on
the fna passage Of the bill.
Tho result Of the whole was, (for ] want time TO
70 into particulars THAT out Of our first majority
Of nine votes, five went over on the final question
to the opposite side, after having repeatedly re-
corded their yeas in favor Of tho restriction; and
three more absent when their names were
called which gave majority of three against
the restriction. In this manner was lost the im-
portant measure which, in my opiniun; has boon
brought before Congress, since the adoption OF the
Constitution. Signal indeed is the defeat, which
in the cause Of justice, of humanity, and OF the
equal rights of man, have all sustained on this
occasion.
But while we lament our want Of success in The
case Of Missouri il ought not to be forgotten that
we have also gaiHcd as we'll as lost, much in rela
ton to this subject. The Missouri bill contained
provision, cittoW ichich H could not hare passed
prohibiting the introduction Of Slavery in the
territories Of the United States North OF thirty
six and half degrees Of North latitude. Moth
ing but the vigorous attempt made to restrict Mis-
souri, and the fear Of tossing all. If they did not
resign u part induced the save-hOlding statcs 10
consent even 70 the restriction the territories.
1t was only part of the compr0mi5e, 30 called,
that this important measure could be carried.
Though unsuccessful on the main question, we
have at the same time. and in consequence Of the
other attempt, succeeded in rescuug from Sla-
very o vast tract Of country, which would other
wise have been exposed to this dreadful curse.-
The country far North would it IL truo, never pos
yessed many slaves but there IS room, 1ufber
South far fir0 or three states, at ieus tchere rih
oH his restriction siarcs cOuid hare been iatroanc
ci, and GOm trdich IL 1rOtiid hare been d,DiciH,
If mol iHiposgiJle 1Jfe7tgdydS 10 hare dricC3i Mca
When we think Of the great good which might
have been done by little more frmness and pre-
scryancc, we may be truly said to have been con
sidered rs great pOint grained. In this light
regard it rs worth infinitely more than all the time,
the labor, and anxiety it has cost and Ms gently
outweighing even the i'll will, the resentment and
unkind feelings excited 10y this measure both here
in other parts Of the Union. The irritation pro-
duccd by this discussion however violent for
season, is temporary in it's operation, and will
ON the territories will be permanent in its operation
and continue to produce its salutary and bcnecent
dEeets, when tho petty heats and resentments oil
the day shall have long since been forgotten.
In this view Of the case, am inclined, since
nothing further can now be done, to take courage,
rather than to despond, Mt the present posture OF
our affairs. We have gained much where we fear
ed to lose all: and have saved something amidst
the general shipwreck which threatened the whole
republic In the slave-hOlding states there was
not single vote in favor Of the restriction If the
same unanimity had prevailed in the free States,
we should have had majority Of more than
twenty votes. Yet taken in body Of the non
saye-holding states may be considered rs having
done their duty; and if slavery must be extended,
they have the consolation Of knowing that it is not
their faults nt least that the greater portion of
them arc clear Of it. In the House, all the mem
bers from New Hampshire, Vermont Ohio, lndi-
ana and Illinois voted in favor of the restrictions
to these five states therefore no blame can be at
tackled for the rout Of their strenuous, and almost
successful attempt to exclude slavery from our
new and unbound empire beyond the Mississippi
Out Of fifty votes, thrown by the great States OF
New York, and Penusy yiyania, only four were
against us. Massachusetts was, as usual more
divided than any other state in the Union.