Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-07-07

the region connected with ST. Louis deman.
ded admission under the name Of the State
Of Missouri. with constitution tolerating
slavery. The free States reverted to the
principle of 1881, and opposed the admis.
sion of Missouri unless she would incorpor-
ate into her constitution an inhibition of the
further introduction of slavery into the
State. The slaveholding States insisted
upon her unqualified admission. A con.
troversy arose which was sectional ard EN-.
bittered, and which we are assured by CO.
temporaneous history seriously imperiied
the Union. The statesman Of that day in
Congress settled the controversy by COM
promise. By the terms Of this compromise
the free States assented to the admission
of Missouri with her slaveholiing constitu-
ton. while the slaveholding States on their
part yielded the exclusion Of slavery in all
the residue of the territory which Law north
of SO deg. 30 min, constituting the present
territory Of Kansas and Nebraska. The
slaveholding States accepted the compro-
mise as a triumph. and the free States
have ever since left it undis:urbed and un .
questioned. Arkansas. a part of the terri.
tory of Louisiana, which lay south of SO
deg. 80 min, in compliance with an impli.
cation which was contained in this compro-
mise, was afterward admitted as a slave
holding State, and the free States acquies-
ced. In 1919, Florida, a slaveholdiDg
province of Spain, was acquired. This
province was afterward admitted as slave.
holding State. The free States again &C.
quiesced. In ls45, Texas an indepen.
dent slaveholding State, was annexed, with
a provision in the article of annexation for
the subdivision Of her territory into five
States. The free States, although they re.
garded the annexation, with the probable
increase of the number of slave States,
with very great disfavor. nevertheless acqui-
esced again. New territories were acquir-
ed by the treaty of peace which closed the
war with Mexico The people of Califor-
mia formed constitution inhibitng Slavery
and applied for admission into the Union.
Violent opposition was made by the slave
States in and out of Congress, threatening
the dissolution of the Union if California
should be admitted Proceeding on the
ground of these alarms Congress adopted
another compromise, the terms of which
were, that ten million dollars Of the peoples
money should be given to Texas to induce
her to rclinquish very doubtful claim up
on an inconsiderable part of New Mexico.
that New Mexico and Utah should be or
ganized without an inhibition of slavery,
and that they should be afterwards admit
ted as slave or free States, as the people
when forming constitutions. should deter
mine; that the public slave trade in the
District Of Columbia should be abolished
without affecting the existence of slavery
in the District; and that new and rigorous
provisions for the recapturs of fugitive
slaves of disputed constitutionality should
be adopted, and that on these conditions
California should be admitted as a FIRE e
State. Repugnant as this compromise was
20 the people of the free States, acquies-
cence was nevertheless practically obtained
BY means of solemn assurances made on
behalf Of the slaveholding States. that the
Compromise was and should lie forever re-
garded as final adjustment of the slavery
question. and Of all the issues which could
possibly arise out Of it. A new Congress,
convened III December, 1851. Represent
atves from the slave States demanded a
renewed pledge of fidelity to this adjust,
ment. 1t was granted by the House OF
Representatives on the following terms:
RESOLVED. That we recognize the binding
efficacy Of the compromise of the Constitu-
tion. and believe it to be the intention of
the people generally, as we hereby declare
it to be ours individually, to abide by such
compromises and sustain the laws necessa-
ry to carry them out, the provisions for the
delivery of fugitive slaves, and the act OF
the last Congress for that purpose included
and that we deprecate all further agitation
Of questions embraced in the acts of the
last Congress known as the Compromise,
and of questions generally connected with
the institutions Of Slavery as unnecessary.
useless and dangerous.
A few months subsequently the Demo
cratic National Convention met at Balti
more. and assuming TO speak the sentiments
of the Democratic party set forth in its plat
FORM That the Democratic party will re-
sist all attempt at renewing in Congress or
out of it. the agitation Of the slavery ques-
tlon under whatever shape or color the at.
tempt may be made. Soon afterward an
other National Convention assembled in the
same city, and assuming the right to de-
clare the sentiments Of the Wing party.
said; ave deprecate all further agitation
Of the questions thus settled as dagerous
to our peace; and will discountenance all
efforts to continue or renew such agitation,
whenever, wherever or however made."-
The present administration was elected on
the principle of adherence to this compro-
mise, and the President referring 10 il in his
inaugural speech declared that the harmo-
ny which had been secured by it should
not be disturbed during bis term Of Office.
The President recurring to the same sub
ject renewed his pledge in his message TO
Congress at the beginning Of the present
session, in the following language:
"But Notwithstanding differences of opin-
ion and sentiment which there existed in
relation to details and specific provisions.
the acquiescence of distinguished citizens
whose devotion to the Union can never be
doubted. has given renewed vigor TO our
institutions, and restored sense of repose
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