Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-21

own way, subject 10 no other limitation than that
imposed by the Constitution Of the United States.
Was not this the position occupied by the demo-
cratic party IN that contest Cheers We all
know that II was. Thus il appears from this brief
review that in 1913 all parties and Fragments and
segmenis OF parties in the free States agreed upon
this point-to wit, that the Missouri line, prohibit
ing slavery ON the one side and toleralng il on
the other, was wrong and ought TO be blolted
out, but differed as 10 what should be adopted in
lieu Oft. The argument then was that the posi-
lion was entirely unlenable; that slavery was
right and proper on one side of geographical
line, and al the same time an atrocious crime and
great moral evil on the other side OF the same
line; that if il right TO trust the people 70 do
as they pleased, and make their own laws and
establish their own institutions 10 suit themselves
on the south side of the line, il was difficult TO
comprehend how il was morally wrong 10 allow
the people to do the same thing north of the line
While, therefore, all parties in the north agreed
that the policy of geographical line as barrier
TO slavery on the one side and freedom on the
other should be abandoned, they differed radically
IN regard TO the measure which should take its
place-the one insisted that slavery should be
prohibited everywhere in the Territories, and the
other proposed that, in lieu of the Missouri Com
promise, the people Of each Territory and State
should be allowed 10 decide the question for them
1 selves everywhere, without reference 10 degrees
of latitude longitude In the course OF the pres
ent canvass have often propounded the Dues
1 tion, whether there was any man of any party in
lS4S in this State who was in favor Of the exten-
sion and observance in good faith Of the Missouri
Compromise 10 the Pacific in the sense of its orr
| ginal adoption2 The universal answer has been
that was the solitary exception.
| am not certain that there was not some truth
in this answer, for when proposed the extension
Of that line 10 the Pacific every Abolition and
| Free-soil paper in the country SO far as am ad-
hllSla nv ma 1ina latss
rounded il with black lines, with the inscription,
IS, A. Douglas, the solitary exception" meaning
thereby that was supposed to be the only man
north Of the Ohio river who was willing 10 stand
Dy and carry out the Missouri Compromise indef-
nitey westward through our entire possessions.
was then as fercely and bitterly denounced for
| my support of the Missouri Compromise as am
now for my advocacy of sefgovernment in lieu OF
IL. am charged with the enormous crime OF in
consistency in having supported that at one time
which have been instrumental in repeating at
another. Well, " have changed my action upon
this point, presume those who arraign me for il
have also changed theirs; for when supported
the Missouri Compromise, they opposed 1t, and
never became reconciled 10 il until proposed its
repeal, as they had done six years before Laugh
teri III have changed, have they not also And
the only point to be settled between us.is simply
this--which can give the best reason" for theii
course. changed my action because their com
bined force deprived me of the power TO maintain
voting il down in the House of Representatives
and, 3D. by the union of all parties in the norherr
States against il athe presidential election These
are my reasons for abandoning il! Now, wha
are their reasons for supporting measure which
they once declared Infamous and caused 10 bt
abandoned? When in 1919 their assaults rem
dered il necessary that should speak al the State
capital in vindiraton of my character, and the
motives OF my support of The Missouri Compro
mise, they denounced the Compromise, the speech
an1t
an abandonment of the claims OF freedom and The
rights Of the North. These denunciaiions were
kept up 10 the very hour that brought forward
the Nebraska BILL when suddenly, as If under The
impulse ofsome powerful conviction, they stopped
short in their career of denuncation, and taking
up this very measure against which they had ex
hausted all their powers ofvituperation and abuse
embraced IL as a thing canonized in the hearts o.
the American people" and my speech its ables
vindication and defense, and containing the only
orthodox principles in support ofthe sacred cause
offreedom, and in opposition 10 the aggressons o
the slave power.
repeat, that the abandonment Of the policy o.
settling the slavery question by geographical line
in the manner have stated, produced all the ex
element and agitation which ensued and created
the necessity of new mode of adjustment The
country was suddenly plunged into a terrible sec.
tional struggle. The North and South were each
made 10 believe that their respective rights were
invaded, and that their honor and safety required
repel the aggressions Of the other. This struggle
was continued until the wisest and best men in
the country became alarmed for the safety of the
Republic and the permanency OF the Union. The
venerable and immortal Clay, who had retired &c
the peaceful shades OF Ashland for the purpose o
preparing himself for another and better sphere
Of existence felt called upon TO leave his retreat
, and again make his appearance in the Senate, The
theatre of his usefulness, his triumphs, and hi.
! glory. From the moment of his appearance
, lam h..o nAI 81 s.a H. IL
less partisan leader OF former days, and was now
the representative Of the patriotism and Union
loving sentiment of the country lie was hailed
and recognized as the leader around whom al
! Union men, Wings and Democrats. North and
South, from all sections Of the country rallied n,
their champion in the glorious cause During thai
, session Of Congress there were no Wings and nc
Democrats as such in the partisan sense but al
Were Union men, with sound and constitutions
views and national sentiments, in opposition tc
the fanatics and agitators, whose measures If MOI
purposes, led directly TO disunion and revolution
! Prolonged applausel
With Clay as our leader, and Cass and Webste,
as our champions, the Union men struggled in
that memorable session Of ten months for the adop
| ton OF great fundamental principle as A rule o
action. IN all future time, in the organization O
new Territories and admission OF new States
Cheers.
u having been found impossible 10 adhere to
} and carry out the policy Of geographical line a,
| ihauBufotco ny the missouri COm promise. i'm
perative necessity existed for the adoption of Z
principle, just and constitutional and alike appli
cable TO every portion Of our widespread country
which would not only furnish satisfactory solu
ton OF existing difficulties, but in all future tim,
, avoid the occurrence OF similar perils Wha,
; was this principle The recognition on the par
: OF the federal government of the right Of ever,
people 10 form and regulate their domestic con
: Germs and internal policy in accordance with ihe
, own views, with no other limitation than ina
which the Constitution OF the United States in,
I poses. IApplause.l
The result Of this principle was 10 guaranty tC
: the people Of all new Territories and States com
ing into the Union the right--which il is believed
the Constitution OF the United States had aread,
secured, but which the Missouri Compromise has
taken away-oi determining the question q
slavery for themselves, irrespective or their Ioca
lion north or south OF any parallel of latitude
: GApplause.l will not weary you with detail O
: incidents attending that long session, and with
which the country - familiar. may be permitted
: 10 remark, however, that for more than eve
: months Of that eventful period, we assembled
: each day in the committee room, with Clay In ths
chair, and Cass and Webster upon the right and
left, to consult what plan Of operations could he
adopted 10 ihwart the mad schemes of the "a