Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-03-22

0adictod By the history OF the eountfyi WHi YOU
ineorporsts into public statute m summation
which b ecntradicted By every event which at
tended OF followed the adoption Of the compromise
aetsl Will you here, acting under your high re-
sponsibility as Senators Of the States, assert as
fact bv q solemn vote, that which the personal
recollection Of every Senator who was here du-
ring the discussion Of those compromise acts dis
moves! will not believe it until | see il. IL
you wish to break up the time-honored compact
embodied in the Missouri ccmpromise, transferred
into the Joint resolution for the annexation of Tex
a, preserved and affirmed by these compromise
acts themselves, do il openly-do it boldly. Re
peaI the Missouri prohibition. Repeal it by di-
rect vote. Do not repeal it by indrection. Do
not sdeclaren il sinoperative," "because superse-
ded BY the principles of the legislation of 1885,"
Mr. President three great Eras have marked
the history of this country, in respect to slavery
The frat may be characterized as the Era Of En-
YRANcMsEMENT. It commenced with the earliest
struggles for national independence. The spirit
which inspired II animated the hearts and promP-
ted the efforts Of Washington, Of Jefferson, of Pat
rick Henry, Of Wythe, of Adams, of Jay, OF Ham
ilton, OF Morris, in short, of all the great men of
our early history. All these hoped-all these Ia.
bored for-all these believed in the final deliver
ance Of the country from the curse Of slavery
That spirit burned in the Declaration OF Indepen-
dence, and inspired the provisions of the Consti-
tuition, and the Ordinance of 1887. Under its in
fuence, when in full vigor, State after State pro-
yided for the emancipation of the slaves within
their limits, prior to the adoption Of the Constitu-
ton. Under its feebler influence at later peri
cd, and during the administration Of Mr. Jefferson,
the importation of slaves was prohibited into Mis-
sissippi and louisiana In the faint hope that those
territories might finally become free States Grad
ually that spirit ceased to influence our public
councils, and lost its control over the American
heart and the American policy. Another era sue
ceeded, but by such mperceptible gradations that
the lines which separate the two cannot be traced
with absolute precision. The facts Of the two eras
meet and mingle as the currents of continent
streams mix SO imperceptibly that the observer
cannot fix the spot where the meeting waters
blend. ....s. 49,.
This second era was the Era of CONSERVATISM.
1ts great maxim was to preserve the existing con-
dition. Men said, let things remain as they are;
let slavery stay where it Isl exclude it where it is
not; refrain from disturbing the public quiet by
agitation; adjust oil differences that arise not by
the application of principles, but by compromises
It was during this period that the Senator tells
us that slavery was maintained in Illinois, both
while territory and after it became State, in
despite of the provisions of the ordinance. 1t is
true sir, that the slaves held in the Illinois coun-
try, under the French law, were not regarded as
absolutely emancipated by the provisions Of the
ordinance. But full effect was given to the or
dinance in excluding the introduction of slaves,
and thus the territory as preserved from eventu-
ally becoming slave State. The few slavchol.
ders in the territory Of Indiana, which then incu
ded Illinois, succeeded in obtaining such an as
tendency in its affairs, that repeated applications
were made not merely by conventions of dele
gates, but by the Territorial Legislature ITSELF fol
suspension of the clause in the ordinance pro-
hibiting slavery. These applications were repor
ted upon by John Randolph, of Virginia, in the
House, and by Mr.. Franklin in the Senate. Botf
the reports were against suspension. The ground:
stated by Randolph are specially worthy of being
considered now. They are thus stated in the re-
port:
"That the committee deem it highly dangerous
and inexpedient to impair provision wisely cal
culated to promote the happiness and prosperity
OF the northwestern country, and to give strength
and security to that extensive frontier. In the
salutary operation of this sagacious and benevo-
lent restraint it is believed that the inhabitants o
Indiana will, at no very distant day, find ample
remuneration for temporary priyation of labor
and of emigration
Sir, these reports, made in 1903 and 1907, and
the action of Congress upon them, in conformity
with their recommendation, saved Illinois, and
perhaps Indiana, from becoming slave States
constitution, they incorporated into it a section
providing that neither slavery nor involuntary SER
ytude shall be hereafter introduced into this State.
The constitution made provision for the continued
service of the few persons who were originally
held as slaves, and them bound to service under
the territorial laws and for the freedom of their
children, and thus secured the final extinction OF
slavery. The Senator thinks that this result is
not attributed to the ordinance. Idiffer from him.
But for the ordinance, ] have no doubt slavery
would have been introduced into Indiana, Illinois,
and Ohio. 1t is something to the credit Of the
era of conservatism, uniting it's influences with
those of the expising era Of enranchisement, that
It maintained the ordinance of 1887 in the north
west
The Era of CONSERVATISM passed, also by i'm
perceptible gradations, into the Era of SLAVERY
PRoPAeANprsM. Under the influences of this new
spirit we opened the whole territory acquired from
Mexico, except California to the ingress of slave
~. Every foot Of it was covered by Mexican
prohibition; and yet: by the legislation of 1850
we consented to expose it to the introduction OF
slaves. Some, believe, have actually been car
RED into Utah and into New Mexico, They may
be few, perhaps, but few are enough to affect
materially the probable character of their future
governments. Under the evil influences of the
same spirit, we are now called upon to reve Sc the
original policy of the Republic; to subvert even q
solemn compact of the conservative period, and
open Nebraska to slavery
Sir, believe that we are upon the verge of an
other era. That era will be the Era of REACTION
The introduction of this question here and its dis
cussion, will greatly hasten its advent. We, who
insist upon the Standardization of slavery, anc
the absolute devorce of the General Governmen
from all connection with it, will stand with thC
men who favored the compromise acts, and WHIT
yet wish to adhere to them in their letter and il
their spirit against the repeal of the Missouri pro
hibition. But you may pass it here. You MAJ
send II to TIE other House. tmay become law
But its effect will be to satisfy oil thinking mel
that no compromise with slavery will stand, ex
cept so long as they serve the interests of slavery
andihat there is no safe and honorable ground 70
non-slaveholders to stand upon. except that Of re
stricting slavery within State limits, and exclu