Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-02-11

is excluded from where it is not refrain from dis
turbng the public quiet by agitation; adjust all differ
ences that arise not by the application OF principles but
4 by comprsmise.
1t during this period that the Senator tells that
slavery WAS maintained in Illinois, both while Territory
and aerit became State, in despite Of the provisions
of the ordinance 1t true sir that the slaves held in
the Illinois country, under the French law, not
garded as absolutely emancipaed by the provisions OF
the ordinances but full effect given to the ordinances
excluding the introduction Of slaves and thus the Ter
ritory was preserved from eventually becoming slave
State The few shareholders in the Territory Indiana
which then included Illinois, succeeded in obtaining such
an asctndency in its affairs that repeated applications
made, not merely by conventions of delegates but
the Territorial Legislature ITSELF for suspension OF
the clause in the ordinance prohibiting slavery These
applications were reported upon by John Randolph, Of
Virginia in the House. and by Mr. Franklin in the Sen
ate. Both the reports were against suspension The
grounds stated by Randolph specially worthy of being
considered now They are thus stated in the report:
That the committee deem it highly dangerous and mex
pedient impair provision wisely promote the
happiness and prosperity Of the Northwestern country and to
give strength and security to that extensive frontier In the
sanitary operation of this sagacous and benevolent restraint
1t Is believed that the inhabitants Of Indiana will at no very
distant day find ample remuneration for temporary priva
ton Of labo and Of emigration"
Sir these reports made in 1903 and 1907, and the ac
ton of Congress upon them in conformity with their re-
commendaon saved Illinois, and perhaps Indiana from
becoming slave States. When the people Of Illinois form
ed their State constitution they Incorporated into it
section providing that neither slavery involuntary
vtude shall be hereafter introduced into this State The
made provision for the continued service Of
the few persons who originally held slaves and
then bound under the Territorial laws and for
the freedom of their children and thus secured the final
extinction Of slavery The Senator thinks that this
suit is not attributable to the ordinance differ from
him. But for the ordinance have no doubt slavery
would have been introduced into Indiana, Illinois, and
Ohio 1t is something to the credit Of the of
vatsm, uniting its influences with those of the expiring
Of enanchisement that it maintained the ordinance
! of 1887 in the Northwest.
The of conservatism passed. Also by imperceptbe
gradations into the slavery propagandism Under
the influences of this spirit opened the whole ter
ritory acquired from Mexico except California to the in
gress of slavery Every foot of it covered by Mex
lean prohibitions and yet, by the legislation Of 1850 we
consented to expose it to the introduction of slaves
Some, believe have actually been carried into Utah
and into New Mexico. They may be few, perhaps but
few enough to affect materially the probable charae
ter Of their future governments. Under the evil in
fuences Of the spirit called upon to
the original policy of the republics to subyert
solemn compact Of the conservative period, and open
Nebraska to slavery
Sir, believe that we upon the verge of another
era That will be the of reaction. The intro
duction of this question here and its discussion, viii
greatly hasten its advent We who insist upon the de-
naturalization of slavery and upon the absolute divorce
Of the General Government from oil connexon with it,
will stand with the who favored the compromise acts,
and who yet wish to adhere to Them in their letter and in
their spirit against the repeal Of the Missouri prohb
ton. You may pass it here. You may send it to the
other House 1t may become law. But its effect will
be to satisfy all thinking that compromises with
\
Of slavery and that there is safeand honorable
ground to stand upon except that of restricting slavery
within State limits and excluding it absolutely from the
whole sphere of Federal jurisdiction The old questions
between political parties at rest No great question
thoroughly possesses the public mind this of sla
very. This discussion will hasten the inevitable reor
ganzaon of parties upon the issues which cir
cumstances suggest II will light up ire in the coun
try which may perhaps consume those who kindle it.
! cannot believe that the people of this country have
lost sight of the maxims and principles Of the revo
luton, nsensbe to the obligations which those
maxms and principles impose as to acquesce In the VIOLA
ton Of this compact Sir the Senator from Illinois tells
that he proposes final settlement of oil Territorial ques
tons respect slavery by the application of the prin
cple of popular sovereignty What kind Of popular SOW
eregnty is it which allows portion Of the people to
ensave another poron Is that the doctrine Of equal
rights! Is that exact justice? Is that the teaching OF
enlightened liberal, progressive Democracy No. sirS
no. There can be no real Democracy which does not
fully maintain the rights of man. as man. Living, prac-
teal Democracy mperatvely requires US, while
carefully absainng from unconstitutional interference
with the internal regulations Of any State upon the sub
ject of slavery any other subject to insist upon tha
practical application Of its great principles in all the La
4 gisation of Congress.
! repeat sir that we who maintain these principles
will stand shoulder shoulder with the who, differ
ing from upon other questions, will yet unite with as
in opposition to the violation Of pghted faith contem-
plated by this bill. There men, and not few who
willing adhere to the compromise of 1850. If the
Missouri prohibition which that compromise Incorporates
and among its provisions shall be repealed
|
compromises they not worth the paper which
they printed will return to the old principles OF
the Constitution; we will assert the ancient doctrine
person shall be deprived Of life liberty property
by the legislation Of Congress without due process Of law
Carrying that principle into its practical applications
will efforts until slavery shall cease to-
exist wherever it can be reached by the constitutional
action of the Government.
Sir have faith in progress have faith in Democra-
cy The planting and growth of this nation upon this
western continent not accident The establish
the American Government the sublime prin
cpes Declaration of Independence and the organ
zaton of the union of these States under existing
Constitution, the work of great men, inspired by
great IDEAS guided by Divine Providence These men,
the fathers the Republic have bequeathed to US the
great duty of SO administering the Government which
they organized as to protect the rights guard the in
terests promote the beng of all persons within
its jurisdiction and thus present to the nations OF the
earth noble example of wise and just segovernment-
Sir have faith enough believe that shall yet fulfil
this high duty Let borrow the inspiration Of Milton
while declare my belief we have yet country not
degeneraed nor dropping to fatal decay, butt by cast
ing off the old and wrnkled skin OF corruption to ouve
these pangs and young again. entering the glorious
ways of truth and prosperous virtue destined to become
great and honorable in these latter ages Methinks Isee
in my mind great and puissant nation ronsng herself
like strong after sleep, and shaking her nvincible
locks. Methinks see heras eagle mewing her mighty
youth and kinling her undazzled eyes ut the full mid
day beam purging and uuscalng her long sight
at the fountain itself Of heavenly radiance while the
also that love the twilight huter about amazed at whae
she means and in their envous gable would prognosti
cate year Of sects and schisms."
Sir, may fulfil this sublime destiny il we will but
faithfully adhere the great maxims of the revolution;
honestly carry into their legitimate practical