Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-06-06

value of the Union, were ready to take counsel
together as to the mode and measure OF re-
dress" At that convention, the Constitution
was denounced in violent and bitter terms, and
Secession was regarded by many as synony-
nous with independence. At this stage of affairs,
the people of Tennessee became alarmed. That
alarm, or anxiety, quickly peryaded sarge por-
tion OF the people of the South, who in their de-
yotion to the Union, felt that il was in danger,
and they deliberately resolved to Withdraw its
keeping from the hands of those who wantonly
periled its safety, or despaired OF its preserva-
ton
Between the two meetings of this Nashville
Convention" the Compromise Measures of 1850
were passed by Congress. They embraced final
settlement of all the questions of Slavery growing
out otterriorial acquisitions from Mexico. Against
these measures portion of the most influential
men Of the South arrayed themselves IN fierce and
bitter hostility Opposition thereto was the raj
lying point of the dsaiiected. Upon that opposi-
ton they took their stand and declared that the
gates OF He'll should not prevail against it,"
The controversy between the Union party Of the
South, who accorded cheerful support TO those
measures, and the so-called "Southern Rights
men, who "acquiesced" when they were van
pushed ut the polls, was long and bitter 1t
resulted, however, in a triumph Of the Union par
~, and those who had been the original friends
of the late adjustment.
While this contest was being determined at the
South, battle of opposition to these measures
was raging mt the North. In some of the North
ern States, doubt for long time hung over the
result; but the Union-loving and conservative
spirit of the country prevailed there also, and
"higher law" on the one hand, and secession "
on the other, We're Quoted and put down
But the great Slavery agitation of 1850 had
been too fierce, and had aroused too much Of
patriotic interest throughout the country, to be
forgotten with the conslimmation of that adjust
ment, which gave rcpose to the public mind
The wisest and most patriotic men of all parties
began to inquire If there were means by which
the agitation of the subject OF Slavery could be
removed from the Halls Of Congress. The end
was worthy OF any honorable means, and the best
and most eminent citizens resolved to aid in its
accomplishment. Among the first to conceive,
and the boldest to execute, this determination,
was that departed statesman, whose fame and
public services, for more than thirty years, have
been inseparably connected with our National
bstory--=a statesman who had been always found
first at the post of danger, and who guarded with
sleepless vigilance every approach from the enc
mics of the Union or the disturbers of its tran
quiity.
Soon after the passage of the Compromise acts
Of 1850, and while extreme men at the North
were counseing resistance to those measures
and violent men nj the South were denonncng
them as concession to Northern fanatcism,
HENRY CLAY raised his potential voice in favor of
the fnality of that adjustment, and against all
who were not known to be opposed to a disturb
ance of that settlement, and to the rene,rdi an
ana form Of agitation upon the subject Of SLAVERY"
Great and good men, of all parties and from all
sections of the country, promptly rallied round
Mr.. Clay, and with him recorded their pledge of
honor in favor of the measures of 1850, and
against all further agitation.
During the year 1850, Mr.. Clay and his assoc-
ates all OF whom were members of the thrty-frst
Congress- prepared and published to the world
the following
DECLARATION AND PLEDGE
The undersigned, members Of the Thirty first Con-
gross Of the United States. believing that a renewal
Of sectional controversy upon the subject of Slavery
would be both dangerous to the Union and destructive
to its objects, and seeing mode by which such con
troversies be avoided except by strict adherence
to the settlement thereof effected by the compromise
passed ut the last session Of Congress- do hereby de-
clare their intention to maintain the settlement
invoate and TO resist all attempts to repeal alter
the acts aforesaid unless by the general consent OF
the friends OF the measure, and to remedy such evils
if any, as time and experience may develop. And
for the purpose of making this resolution effective
they further declare that they win not support, for
the office of President Vice President or OF Sena-
tor or of Representative in Congress Member
of State Legislature any man. of whatever party,
who is not known to be opposed to the disturbance
of tho settlement aforesaid, and to the removal in
any form, of agitation upon the subject Of Slavery
hereafter.