Washington sentinel., 1854-04-28

sumo, with your consent. He repeated that up
TO 1920 there was peace on the slavery question,
| and since that time discord and distraction.
He replied TO Mr.. BENTON, saying that il was
| not historical fact that the Missouri compromise
| of 1920 was imposed by the south on the north
| and DENYING that il was solemn compact. He
likewise alluded to remarks of the gentleman from
Missouri, delivered in 1852 in which that gentle
although he remarked on Tuesday, that he came
into Congress upon it and there he meant TO stand
| as long as he lived. Having exhausted the hour
TO which he was limited in debate,
| Mr.. BARRY obtained the floor. He said he
came here entertaining the opinion that we live
under a constitutional government, and not under
a government of mere compromises, but he had
been told that certain compromises made since
the adoption of the Constitution, are equally ob-
| gatory and binding npon him that instrument
itself He repudiated the idea that this is gov
| ernment of compromises. Ii is, he repeated, a
government of the Constitution, and that portion
| of the country which receives less asks more
| than is guaranteed by the Constitution is fathess
| TO the great trusts under that instrument
He then argued the unconsttutionality of the
Missouri compromise and advocated its repeal.
II had been said that no petitions had been re-
| ceived from the south asking for the passage Of
the Nebraska bill. True, but FIVE different south
ern legislatures had passed resolutions in favor of
the measure. If, however, southern gentlemen
should fail 10 defend their rights they will not put
the Senate or in the House.
The south got nothing by the compromise mea-
sures of 1850, except something in the future; and
now that the harvest time has come, they are told
10 withhold their hands and not reach them forth
for their share of the golden sheaves. The fact
that the people of the south have not, by pettion
asked for the passage of this bill, is no argument
against it.
Towards the conclusion Of his remarks, he said
he was opposed 10 the Badger amendment but he
did not believe il 10 be the Pandora's box which
had been represented But should this amend
ment not be stricken out, he would nevertheless
vote for the bill as il is.
Mr.. GIDDINGS obtained consent to make a
personal explanation in reply to Mr.. SMITH, of
Virginia; but, owing TO the absence of that gen.
tleman, he deferred speaking until tomorrow.
Mr.. HUGHES said that any one looking on
the proceedings Of this body might excaim with
old Polonus, "Still harping on my daug hter;" be-
cause the question has been presented and repre-
sented, and turned over from day to day till nearly
every member of the committee is surfeited.
Nothing but sense of duty to generous and
coniding constituency impeed him now TO occu-
py the attention of gentlemen while he expressed
his Views on this all-absorbing question.
He spoke of the compromises Of 1850 as having
been regarded as finality, aud which restored
peace, which was now destroyed by this Nebras-
ka BILL born unfinished, sent into this breathing
world before its time, scarce half made up"
What incarnation ofmischief had brought it forth,
and plunged us in a "sea of troubles" z" Slavery,
he contended, is an evil and he should be false to
every trust were he, by any vote of his, TO place
in jeopardy the freedom secured by the Missouri
compromise to the territories. lie denied that
this compromise is consistent with the measures
of 1850; and in conclusion appealed TO gentlemen
TO simply pass territorial bill for Nebraska SINH
lar to that of the last session.
The committee then rose, and the House ad-
journed.