Washington sentinel., 1854-04-26
, every { gateway" if he wishes to show

! come now to that clause in the bill which
repeals the Missouri compromise. We were
told the other day, by the gentleman from In
diana, Mr.. MACE, that
"To the credit of the southland speak oft
! to their praise and integrty-the proposition does
| not come from them, but from the north; and,
without pretending 10 read lecture TO the south
for have right 10 do so, nor have they, in turn,
right to lecture of the norih--I would suggest
to them, and appeal TO their honor, integrity, high
| bearing, and chvalry, that they at step for
/ ward, and in distinct and definite manner, arrest
this terrible iniracion the general understanding
of the country from ls2O TO the present time"
To the assumption that this proposition did
not proceed from the south, and they are to
have credit for that fact | have only to say,
that fairness and patriotism belong to no par
allel of latitude, and to no section of the
country.
do not speak by authority; but believe
do not run the hazard of error in saying that
this proposition proceeds from the consultation
of men from both sections of the country,
i united by the common sentiment of justice and
/ fraternity, and the strict observance of the
1 spirit of those obligations which had been ac-
| cepted as a peace-ofiering by the south, though,
as shall elsewhere say, not as the full measure
of her rights.
| / tell the gentleman from Indiana that, no
! matter from what section of the confederacy,
or by whom this proposition was made, the
| south is animated by one feeling in this con-
test, and presents in its support here an almost
unbroken front. But, sir, whether this propo-
sition originated in the north or in the south,
fourteen northern democratic senators, defying
sectional prejudice, and with patriotism that
| must command the appreciation of the country,
sustained it by their votes. The President OF
| the United States true both to the record his
political life has made mp, on every question
involving the ri ghts of the south, and the pledges
made to the country in his inaugural address,
to guard alike every interest of the confederacy
has emphatically endorsed it. On this toor---
and say it with no ordinary feelings of grati-
Gcation-this bill is supported by many of our
northern democratic friends.
But, sir, gentlemen tell US that the Missouri
compromise is solemn compact between the
north and the south, to which both parties are
bound forever to adhere. 1t is not true that
any such compact was made between the north
| and the south The southern representatives
| had no right, and did not, in fact, undertake to
make such a compact for the south, and the
action of no southern State can be found,
| pedging the people forever to the Missouri re-
striction.
The south, when overwhelmed by superior
numbers, acquiesced in, but never endorsed
that COMPROMISE. 1t was accepted as last
|
upon its altar; but its justice or constitutions
aiity has never been acknowledged by the south.
| This point has been SO clearly demonstrated
by the eloquent gentleman from Georgia, Mr..
i a. II. ,rErHENs, that do not deem it neces-
sary further to notice it. a
Admitting, however, for the sake Of the argu-
ment, that the Missouri restriction was COM
pact between the north and the south, how has
. it been kept by the north? And in speaking Of
the morrill, / wish it distinctly understood that
do not refer to the conservative portion of the
Il north, who have ever sustained the constitu-
i tional rights of the south. But eight months
had passed after its adoption before it was vio-
{. lated in the application of Missouri for admis-
sion into the Union as a State, making the
exclusion Of free negroes by the constitution of
that State the pretext for opposing it, when Mr..
! Clay offered the Missouri compromise to save
the Union from the danger which threatened,
and the country from the storm Of fanaticism
which was sweeping over it.
When Arkansas applied for admission into
| the Union, having gone through the usual ter
ritorial pupiage, having the requisite popula-
i ton, having established a republican constitu-
ton, the very men who are loudest now in as
! serting the sanctity Of this compromise, opposed
/ it. on the ground that slavery was tolerated by
her constitution. Again, when, after long
series of aggressions on the part OF Mexico, the
i Congress- Of the United States had declared that
"war existed by the act of Mexico between
that government and the United States when
General Taylor had penetrated the heart OF the
enemy's country, and carried our arms IN trl-
umph to Monterey; when, as indemnity Tor
the past and security for the future, 1t was
deemed inevitable that territory would be ac-
ouired from Mexico, notwithstanding the faith
lessness of the north to that compromise, the
4 south proposed, again and again, to extend it to
the Pacific ocean but it was as often rejected
by the north How does it happen that those
who were SO fierce in its denunciation then are
SO clamorous for its preservation now?
When the President of the United States
asked for three millions Of dollars to aid him IN
bringing the Mexican war to successful and
honorable termination, and Mr. Wilmot, of
Pennsylvania, had offered his celebrated pro-
yiso to the three million bill, as it was called,
Mr.. DoUGLAs, then member of this House,
| offered the Missouri compromise to his NORTH
ern friends. / read from the Congressional
Globe:
aMr. DoueLAs moved 10 amend the amendment
by striking out all after the word provided andit-
serting that there shall neither be slavery nor III
voluntary servitude in any Territory acquired IN
der this act, or as the result OF the existing war
n with Mexico, which lies north ot go 81 norm
latitude, commonly known as the missouri coil-
. promise line, otherwise than IN the punishment ~
| crimes whereof the parties shall nave oeeu au.y
convicted: Provided al,cays That any person es-
. Gaping into such Territory from whom ianor or
service is lawfully claimed in any STATE or aerrl. r.
tory Of the United States such iugi'ive may pe
iars',,I,,, rscla;med and conveyed TO ths person
aMla ssmna his or her labor services aforesaid
, 1.-The question upon Mr.. DoueLAs's amendment
was IA ken by teers, and Il was reJected-yeas %,
Y tMr GRAHAM moved to amend the amendment
bv striking out all aher the word provided ana
inserting
"That any territory which may hereafter oe , nc-
;ad h,, ,be Jrpted' States from Mexico shall be
disposed of according the terms and eondliions
of The Missouri compromise line OF 80 oo norm
latitude, and which is hereby agreed 10 pc en-
tended. in case of such acquisions, due west 10
,ha pac;f;c ocean That is, slavery shall be Prohi-
ted north Of that line and tolerated south OF ~
majority ofthe people in any new state desire ana
authorize il by their constitution.
=. 1.-I. iNr Grnharnis q nnrti1 n