Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-03-04


In this spirit it was opposed and supported by
others, among whom was general HARRISON, after
wards President Of the United States, who assent
cd to the expedeney of establishing some suoh line
Of discrimination; !" but proposed line due west
from the mouth Oft the Des Moines, thus constitut
ing the northern, and not the southering boundary
of Missouri, the partition line between Freedom
and Slavery.
But this idea Of Compromise, though suggested by
Mr.. TAYLOR was thus early adopted and vindicated
in this very debate, by eminent character, Mr..
LOUIS McLANE, of Delaware, who has since held
high Office in tho country, and enjoyed no common
measure of public confidence. OF all the leading
actors in these early scenes, he and Mr.. MERCER
alone are yet spared. On this occasion he said:
"The fixing of line ON the west of the Missis-
spp north Of which Slavery should not be tolcr-
ated had altcdys been oi him fdUorife policy, and
he hoped the day was not distant when, upon
principles of fair compromise IL might constitution,
ally be effected. The present attempt he regarded
as premature"
After opposing the restriction on Missouri, he
concluded by declaring
AT the same time, do not mean to abandon
the policy to which alluded in the commencement
of my remarks. think it but fair that both Sec
tons Of the Union should be accommodated on this
subject, with regard to which so much feeling has
been manifested. The same great motives of
policy which reconciled and harmonized the jarr-
ing and discordant elements Of system origi- |
nuly, anu WHICH inc trainers OF our nanpy
Constitution to compromise the different interests
which then prevailed on this and other subjects, If
properly cherished by us, will enable to achieve
similar objects. II we meet upon principles oil re-
cprocity, we cannot fail to do justice to all. Hl
has already been drotced by gentlemen on his floor
from The South and the Hest that they riH agree
upon line ,chich shall diride The slareholding from
the non slduehoidine States. IL is This proposition
am dnrioUS 10 effect; but irish 10 effect By some
compact ,rhich shall be binding upon all parties, and
oH l..
ed and will not iluctuate with the diversity of feel
ing and of sentiment to which this empire, in its
march, must be destined. There is a vast and
immense tract Of country west Of the Mississippi,
yet to be settled, and intimately connected with
the Northern section of the Union, upon which
this compromise can be effected"
The suggestions of compromise were at this time
vain each party was determined. The North,
by the prevailing voice of its representatives
claimed all for freedom the South by its potential
command Of the Senate, claimed all for Slavery.
1 The report Of this debate aroused the country.
:, For the first time in history, Freedom after
an animated struggle hand to hand, had been kept
in cheek by Slavery. The original policy Of our
Il Fathers in the restriction Of Slavery was suspend
cd, and this giant wrong threatened to stalk into all
the broad national domain. Men at the North
were humbled and amazed. The imperious de-
mands of Slavery seemed incredible. Meanwhile,
the whole subject was adjourned from Congress to
ri the people Through the press, and at public
meetings, an earnest voice was raised against the
admission of Missouri into the Union without the
restriction of Slavery. Judges left the bench, and
: cergymen the pulpit, to swell the indignant pro-
? test which went up from good men, without dis
tinction Of party or of pursuit.
The movement was not confined to n few per-
sons, nor to few States. a public meeting, at
Trenton, in New Jersy, was followed by others in
/, New York and Philadelphia, and finally at Wor-
cester Salem, and Boston, where committees
were organized to rally the country. The citizens
OF Baltimore, convened at the court house, with
the Mayor in the chair, resolved that tho future
admission of slaves into the States hereafter formed
west OF Mississippi ought to he prohibited by
= Congress Villages, towns, and cities, by memo
rial petition, and prayer, called upon Congress to
maintain the great principle of the prohibition of
I Slavery The same principle was also commended
by the resolutions of State Legislatures and Penn
! sylvania inspired by the teachings OF Franklin
and the Conventions Of the respectable denomina-
tons OF Friends, unanimously asserted at once the
; right and the duty of Congress to prohibit Slave
i ry were Of the Mississippi. and solcmnly appeal
o to her sister States to refuse to covenant with
i crime" New Jersy and Delaware followed, both
also unanimously. Ohio asserted the same prn-
y ciple; SO did also Indiana. The latter State not
content with providing for the future, severely
censured one OF its Senators, for his vote to organ
, ize Arkansas without the prohibition of Slavery
The resolutions of New York we're reinforced 6y
the recommendation of De Witt CLINTON
, Amidst these excitements, Congress came to-
! gether in December, 1919, taking possession of
these Halls Of the Capitol for the first time since
their dissolution by the British. On the day after
L the receipt of the Presidents message the several
a committees Of the House were constituted, one to
= consider the application of Maine, and the other
n OF Missouri, to enter the Union us seperate and
l. independent States. With only the delay of
single day, The bill for the admission of Missour
was reported to the House without the restriction
/ Of Slavery but as if shrinking from the immediate
o discussion of the great question it involved after
), wards, on the motion Of Mr. MERCER, of Virginia
Its consideration was postponed for several weeks
oil which, be it observed, is in open contrast with
Is the manner in which the present discussion has
been precipitated upon Congress. Meanwhile the
e Maine bill, when reported to the House, was
If promptly acted upon, and sent to the Senate.
e In the interval between the report of the Mis-
If souri, bill and its consideration by tho House a
= committee was constituted on motion of Mr..
IF TAYLOR, of New York, to enquire into the expe-
&c diency Of prohibiting the introduction of Slavery
Q into the Territories west of the Mississippi This
committee, at the end Of fortnight, was dis
charged from further consideration of the subject
Is which, il was understood, would enter into the
,r postponed debate on the Missouri bill. This early
IS effort to nerdct Slavery in the henTerrores by
e. special law is worthy of notice. account o
a some OF the expressions Of opinion which 1t drew
O. forth. In the course his remarks, Mr.. Taylor de
ID clared that che presumed there were no members
ir he knew of n0ne-whO doubted the constitution
ri al power of Congress to impose such restriction
N on the Territory"
generous voice from Virginia, recognized a
NJ once the right and duty Of Congress. This wal
- from Charles Fenton Mercer, who declared tina
!, - "When the question proposed should come fairl,
ne before the House. he should support the PROPOSE
~ ton lie should record his vote against suffering
If the dark cloud of nhumanity, which now darkenec
81 his country from rolling on beyond the peaceful
~ shores of the Mississippi"
y, y, At length on the Goth January, 1920 the IIous,
- resolved itself into Committee of the Whole OF
~ the Missouri Bill and proceeded with its discus
sion, day by day, till the 2Sth of February, wher
10 it was reported back with amendments. Blu
81 meanwhile the same question was presented I,
Of the Senate where conclusion was reached earlie
~ than in that House. clause for the admission o
y Missouri Mas moved hv Mav of tnnL 10 Tho Mir.