Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1854-03-24
Speech Of Mr.. Mace.


in the House of Representatives, Feb. II, ,on
the repeal Of the Missouri Compromise !.
worthy the careful consideration Of every
true Democrat. II is democratic and Nation
al. 1t shows the great facts that the meas.
urc was not called for by the South that
the Territorial Committee were opposed 10
il IN their report and that the Washington
Union was originally opposed to it. Mr. Mace
stands where all democrats should stand
"opposod TO agitation" The following i,
the extract
General Pierce was elected President Of
the United States. lie delivered to the coun-
try his inaugural address, laying down. in
general terms, hi, future course Of action.
lie treated the question Of slavery as settled,
and did not refer even remotely, to the pro-
position TO repeal the Missouri compromise
act Congs.s convened, aad 10 Transmitted
his annual message ,horo was in II the most
remote allusion TO the repeal Of the Missouri
compromise act. No, word has BEEN said
upon the snhiec; 10 any docurnsut which has
omar,icd from he Cabinet. MOI 4 word.
And may say hero rLai, during n- last
Congress, when certainly tho force and effect
ofthc compromise acts Of 1850 were as fresh
in our minds as now, a b,l was Introduced
organizing territorial government, ior Ne.
braska, without containing an allusion to the
repeal Of the Missouri compromises ac, Of
1880 This bin was introduced, and reported
from the territorial committee OF the House
by Mr Hall, Of Missouri, stakeholder sud
native Of Virginia.
The fret, ani yesy first, wo hear OF it.
comes To as, not 10 tie orignalbilI introduced
this session, and printed, loi the organization
oflhc Territory OF Nebraska, bu, in an amend.
mcat proposed to the bill, contemplating tho
formation Of hro territorial governments, Nc.
brlsaa and kansa, and ia that amendment.
lor the fret time, and 20 the as,Onishmenl of
everybody, wr ind It lorcahadowed that We
mean, aud intended, aad bad al~,y. been
driven At il, to repeal the Missouri comPEO.
misc ac, ofls?O,
10 the credit Of the Southland speak
Oft to Iheir praise aud inlerguty-ino pro-
position docs not come from them, but fom
,hc Npr,h and, without pretending to read
lecture to the Soulh-ior have no right to
DO so, nor have they, in turn, a right to
lecture rs ofIhc NORTH would Suggest TO
lhcm and appeal to their honor, integrity.
high bearing, and eIIalry, that they At once
step forVarl, anil, in a distinct and definite
manner, arIc,, thi, terrible iurracilorE9ba Tho
rcacal understanding Of nc country from
/ 1890 to the present time.
/ We are pledged by our former acts to re.
s.si, IN and out Of Congress, the discussion
or the agitation Of the slavery question.
suppose lm, tic perlous who now propose to
rc.cal the Missouri compromise could not
have believed lha, tic introduction Of the
sub.cc, would be the means of creating sn
intense agitation 10 Congrcs, and throughout
lhc country. But now thl, they Gnd that
the country is already excited, and j. contiuu.
| iu- to be excited To the hishes, pitch on tho
subject Of slavery, | aPprchenI lha, they will
not insist upon their project, unless they in.
tend to fllsly their former pledges, De.
cus,ions are now taking place through tho
length and breadth OF the land, 10 the press
and At public meetings, and in legislative
halls therefore j, Is their imperative duty to
arrest the a.iu,i1n At once by Withdrawing
the proposition and irsi,iios on it no further.
l,su,t, s.r, ,hlll no, bo considered he,U.
roi5,, aud ihcr.lorc adjujgcd lobe ~ unwor-
tbs mcmh,r Of the Democratic party. have
high authority As to the soaninc,s Of nv po-
sIllon; COZ read in the lnion Of the 2Oh oC
January as, the following remarks
"Prui.Eo, patriotism, d,soH0t 10 he
rniol, ne miraIef ne Democratic par.
~, ~ suagrs, that that public sealimeat
which ulw acquicsccs checrlully in the prin.
ciplcs of,hecompromise OF 1850 should no,
D. iaconsiLeratsly disturbed. The triumph,
mt election OF Prcsidcn, Pierce shows that
on this basis the hearts aud the judgments ~
lhc people arc with the Democracy. wo
may rcaiure tn suggest that it is well worthy
Reconsideration whether flj,hiu adherence
to TIC creed which hos been so ir.umphanlly
inlor,cd by the people does not require al
gogE Democrats 10 h,siid,s dndrJ'-ri malueiy
upon ayyoyoalioa iriieh any mrmlsr OfOar
p,riy can oJJ.d 10 as a. Interpolation upon
hai cr,rd IN a word, iI would he wise in
an Democrats IN consider whether j, would
nolb, safest TO let well enough alone To
repeal the Missouri compromiso might, and
to our view, would. clear the principle Of
congressional nol.in,eryeniiul OF oil en-.
barrasment DIT re douh rhsihp hs good
thus promised IS so imporidEf that Il rouT h
teiss 70 seek Il through he ogiiaiiOH whia1
necessarily stand, ~ car pafh. Upon calm
review Of the whole ground, We yet sce no
such reason Tor disturbing tho compromise
Of 1850 as could induce US to ajyoca- either
Of the amendment, proposed to Mr. Douglass
BILL"
But, sir, deeply regret to say, that this
same plp.r-ihe union-threc days aner
these remarks were printed, actually ~hirlcd
round aud supported, as maryelously proper.
the amendment of Judge Douglas to abTogaio
the Missouri compromise.
but, slr, the friends Of tho repeal again