The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-25

Eesed against the validity OF the Missouri Sompfomse,
trust Il viii be that not disposed 10 consroyef
them either fact doctrine, with such exceptions only
as upon more deliberate consideration ny those who asserted
4 Them viii be allowed 20 be well taken e
But sir, admitting them with the exceptions nave stated
TO be nconroyerioy true sui the main question Iemalns
TO be considered and decided DO these facts aud doctrines
demonstrate The expectancy Of disturbing the missouri
Compromise under existing circumstances, end m coming
an affirmative conclusion upon this question hesitate
pause.
have listened with attention TO all the luminous expo
stons of theories of constitutional constructions and Of popu
lar sovereignty 10 the Ingenious application of doeuna
points % questions OF compacs and compromises by the
friends OF this measure The question has been fruitful OF
themes for dalecc dsplay-or the exhibition Of great
powers OF and logical bat the whole agu-
men has been singuary defective and unsatisfactory upon
The main question What practical advantage benefit 10
the country generally 10 the South in particular, will
the repeal Of the Missouri Compromise secure II
IL asserted with great confidence that the application of
the principle of non-inerventon to these Territories and
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise proposed by this
bill will have the effect to transfer to the local legislatures
OF the Territories and States and 10 relieve Congress for the
future from the most dangerous and dsac,ng subject of
controversy which has disturb its debera
tons that the of those sectional conflicts and aga
lions upon the subject of slavery which have more than
threatened the peace of the counry will be removed
thar justice will be done the South that the constitution
Will be restored and yndcated and guarantee be pro-
vded for the stability of the Union need not say that
one half of the many benecent results predcaed OF this
measure be shown follow probable consequence
Of lis adoption would no longer hesitate to give tiny
supports but unfortunately the argument has proceeded no
further than the affirmation, without showing how these
results must will follow Some gentlemen, delighted at
the prospect Of seeing avore theory Of the right of the
Inhabitants of Territory TO govern themselves recognised
vote of in ecsaces with the prospect
Of similar recognition of favore notion or doctrine
OF constitutional Interpretation, after expendng the whole
force of their great ability Calculating their respective
creeds, forthwith jump the conclusion that the happes
results will necessarily and inevitably follow the adoption of
this measure.
Upon what rational calculation do gentlemen that
they establish upon firm foundation any of the
favoa principles doctrines Incorporated this BILL and
c w thew he
element of disturbance which exists in the nature of the
subject How establish beyond future controversy the
principle of nonBteryenton by vote of this Congress-
which the next, any subsequent Congress, may annu
How restore violated constitution, settle question of
constitutional power rule of constitutional constructions
when so many OF the interests and passions connected with
these questions necessarily POLITICAL and liable to change
and vbrac with the charging interests and composition OF
pares' Congress- by It's votes has often reversed the de-
csons of the Judicial department Of the government on
questions of constitutional power and constructions and still
oener its decisions In the very of things no
such stability is argued can be given to any principle
which this Congress may sanction by its vote this bill
i If this be So how can this measure furnish any new
guarantee foe the preservation of the Unon Or how trans
fer the Territories and take away from Congress those
disuactng and sectional questions which often inrude
themselves herei And above ALL how will the passage Of
this bill remove the Of those slavery agaons at the
North, which have heretofore, two memorable
sons, filled the country with alarm for the safety of the
non Is there danger that instead Of saunching
will open afresh this bleeding wound of The country
Mr. President take the provisions Of the Ill as It stands
amended and suppose the inhabitants less in
ber of of these Territories their government
is organized should establish slavery by law would that
quiet agitation in the NORTH Or would be
ona to conclude that il would be sounding of the tocsn
i for general rally of all the clements Of the abo
i faction the North, stimulated and supported by great
numbers of northern citizens who have heretofore given
counenance to their excesses Would not widely
diused and intense antslavery sentiment be
kened than has existed any former period prepared
and determined when the proper time should come to resist
the application of the new slave State to be admitted into
| the Unioni
ID. IL. IL Ill.,
ducd either of these Territories under the sanction of
territorial awand it is the general opinion Of those who
have spoken in this debate that i, will not: will agitation
then cease Ia there ground spprehend that the inn
preston produced by the repeal of the Missouri Compro
mise upon the people Of The North will settle down into
decided and deeproo,ed hostility slavery and the
whole South than could under any circumstances likely
in future be provoked speak Of tina, class Of
northern citizens which the from Massachusetts
] MIR SuMsrRl and the senator from Ohio, Mr.. CHASE
and their followers beorgprofessionn agiaiors, who
their purpose Of continued agitahon and whether
this bill passes not, they will do their fan the
fires Of anatcism, and mhme every antsouhern feeling
and prejudice in the North. And let say that nothing
could do would painfully disturb the present
posure of those gentemenno more fatal blew Their
ent prospects could be given than 10 reject the bill But
speaking Of the probable effect of the passage Of this
bill upon far different class OF northern citizens alude
that body Of soberminded and rejecting citizens who,
though antsayery 10 their sentiments have approved
the fanauca ayings and mischeyous Vaccinations OF the
various abolition societies and secswho have had dis
position to disturb evade any of the compromises
guarantees Of the constitution for the protection of the rights
OF the stakeholder; but who may yet entertain feelings of
decided hostility TO the Introduction Of slavery into any Ter
rories heretofore Lsdeed free territory. Is there
just ground apprehend that The repeal of the Missouri
Compromise, which, whether constitutional not for
than thirty years has been regarded in the North valid
settlement of line north Of which slavery could
repeat there danger be apprehended that the
peal of that settlement viii mpa stronger and deeper
complexion to the an-sayery sentiment of this class of
northern citzcnsi
i know it has been said that all such apprehensions are
but the suggestions Of imidy that better feeling and
liberal sentiments towards the South and southern
situations begin TO prevail at the North than formerly. Mr.
President let inquire moment whether this prevalence
OF liberal feeling towards southern institutions
be relied upon furnishing any that future
manifestation Of their antsayery sentiments will
the peace and harmony Of the country The people o the
i North imbibed their an-savery sentiments m early life
in the period Of their infancy, the domestic fresde,
the nursery, in the primary and high scboosthey have
had them confirmed 10 the lecture in the church, and
/ by the popular literature OF the day sentiment thus
deeply implanted in the hearts Of whole population though
il may be ordinarily quiet and seldom break forth into
fierce agitation, yet have seen, the history of the
| Missouri Compromise, how promptly, and with what
effect II be brought TO exercise its influence
SION Louisiana had been admitted slave State in Is ~,
Mississippi in 1877 and Alabama ia 1919, without oppos
ton and ell the while scarcely consciousness seemed 10
pervade tho country that there any diversity Of ns-
ton sentiment the North and in the South which could
give rise any serious controversy but in 1870, when
Missouri applied for admission into the Union suddenly
the whole North up at the of their political
| leaders and protested against it.
Sir believe there is better feeling prevailing the
North towards the South than formerly, but would not be
the part Of the South do nothing the
Of. that better feeling, unless urged by great