Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-03-02

oi the American people. Out OF IL
sprung the acts of Congress, commonly
known as the Compromise measures OF
1850, by one Of which California was
admitted as Free State; while two 9th
eTs, organizing the Territories of New
Mexico and UGah, exposed all the resi-
due of the recently acquired territory 10
the invasion OF slavery.
These acts were never supposed 10 ab.
rogate or touch the existing exclusion CT
slavery from wha, is now called Nebras-
ka. They applied to the Territory ac.
qulred from Mexico, and TO that only
They were indebted ds a settlement Of
the controvers" growing ou, Of that ac-
QUESTION, and Of that controversy only.
They must stand or fall BY their own
merits.
The statesmen. whose powerful sup
port carried tire Utah and New Mexico
acts, never dreamed thai their provisions
would ever be applied TO Nebraska.-
Even a, the lasi sc 5sion of Congress, Mr..
Aichison of Missouri, in a sreech la ia.
vo. of taking up the former Nebraska
Bill, on the morning of the 4th OF March,
1853, said: ..lt is evident that the MIS-
souri, Compromise cannot be repealed.
So far as that question Is concerned, we
nigh, as well agree 10 the admission of
This Territory now. as next year, or five
or ten years hence These words
could not have fallen from this watchfui
guardian OF slavery, had he supposed
that this Territory was embraced by the
pro-slavery provisions of the Compro-
mise Acts. This presentions had MOI
then been Sc: up. l, is a palpable after
thought.
The Compromise acts themselves re-
fute this prelension. In the third article
on he second section OF the joint Reso
LUTON for annexing Texas with the Uni
TED States, i, is exp,essiy declated that
in such Stale or States as ,,..li he form
ed out of said Territory north OF said
Missouri Compromise line, Slavery or
involuntary seryitude, excep, for crime,
shall be prohibited and in the Ac, for
organizing New Mexico and settling the
boundary of Texas, a proviso was in
corporated, on the motion of Mr. Mason
cf Virginia. which distinctly preserves
this prohibition, and ao..s .ac bare faced
preteniion that all the territory of the
United States, whether South of north
OF ,he Missouri Compromise line. is 10
be open to Slavery. II is as follows:
.PrOviaed That nothing herein con-
faiacd shtN be construed to impair or
quaiijy ANYTHING contained in the third
article of the second section OF the Joint
Resolution for annexing Texas to the
United States, approved March |, 1915,
either as regards The number of States
tha, may hereafter be formed on, OF the
State of Texas, OR OTHERWISE
Here is proof beyond controversy,
tha, the principle OF The Missouri Acl
prohibiting Slavery north of 36 deg 80
min., far from being abrogated by the
compromise Acts, is expressly affirmed;
and that the proposed repeal o.! this pro-
hibiiion, instead OF being an affirmation
Of the Compromise Acts, is a repeal of a
very prominent provision Of the mos
important ac, Of the series. It's solemn
ly declared in the very Compromise act
shat nothing herein contained shall b.
construed 10 impair or Quaiify' the pro.
hibiiton of Slavery north of 360 80 min.
and yet. in the face of this declaration
iha, sacred prohibition is said to be over
thrown. Can presumption further GO
To all who, in any way, lean upon these
Compromises, we commend this exposi
ton.
The pre,ences, therefore that The Ter
ritory, covered by the positive prohibi
ton of 1920, sustains similar relation
10 Slavery with that acquired from Mex
leo. covered by no prohibition except
that of disputed Constitutional or Mexi
can Law and that the Compromises o
1850 require the incorporation OF tn,
pro.slavery clauses of the Utah and N
| Mexico Bill IN the Nebraska Act, ast
mere inventions. designed 10 cover ~
from public apprehension medi.a,ing bac
faith. Were he living now, no one
would be more forward, more eloquent,
or more indignant, in his denunciation o.
that bad faith, Than HENRY Clay, ths
foremost champion OF both comprom
ses.
Ia 1920 tue Slave States, 'Admi, Mis-
souri, with Slavery, and refrain from pos
tive exclusion south Of SO deg. 80 min.
and we will join you in perpetual prohi
bition north of that line The Fres
States consented. In 1854 the Slave
States say TO the Free States, .Missour
is admitted; no prohibition of Slavery
south Of SO deg. 80 min. has been al,
tempted: we have received the full con
sideration OF our agreement: no more is
to be gained by adherence to i, on oul
part; was therefore, propose to cancel .ht
compact If this be not Puuic faith
what is il! Not with the deepest dis
honor and crime can the Free States ac
quiesce in this demand.
Weconfees our total inability proper
ly TO delineate the character or describe
the consequences Of this measure. Lan
guage fails TO express the sentiments o
indignation and adherence which in
/ spires; and no vision. less penetrating
and comprehensive than that of lhe ALI
Seeing, can reach its evil issues.
To some Of its more immediate anl