Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-06-24

That was introduced by elaborate editorial in which
find this sentence
But we do not care to repeat the argument that the
cpes of the compromise Of 1850 superseded tnose OF
Mssopri compromse If the speech OF Judge Douglas doe
not carry conviction this point wherever II read ane
studied, may vol dsrus our aoiy % MAKE ,ne afgu
question ON its merits original proposition, and z
maintain upon principle that the compromise OF 1891 die
not repeal OF 1870, ought to have done So ana ina
there better time than the present 10 nnish ns
work."
Now Mr. Chairman, what are Wings to believe
from this, who are in minority upon TINS noor nu
not in very small minority in the country sir! Are
we not to take the made in the official paper OF
the Adminstrationfor such it is regarded by members
here and by every where and by the declaration OF
the friends Of the Administration upon this hoor-that
is an Administration measure The testimony would
seem to be conclusive and yet do not undertake 10 say
that the President has introduced this measure IN our
halls of legislation; but from these statements oeeve
it is Administration measure, not exclusively SO, ior
gentlemen of both parties in this and the other
branch of Congress- desire to be behind their pot-
cal friends in advocating what they consider to be great
fundamental rights" non-ntervention, squatter SOW
ereignty the right of twenty, fifty, or Few hundred
people in Territory Of the United States to govern
themselves Hence find that they are ambitious to
with each other in making splendid orauons In up
holding these principles.
Nor do complain as some of my friends and others
do of gentlemen for having aspirations for the
and for making this stepping stone to that end Sir
sit is aid genius to have great objects IN view
of the United States who has the constitutional quahea-
tions aspire that high Office although know the
people very naturally look to the higher branch OF the
National Legislature the Senate Of the United States Tor
a candidate for the Presidency. heard 1t remarked
short time SINCE faceousy remarked that there were in
body less than forty of them yet do not be-
ieve that all the wise of the nation are conhned TO
the Senate of the United States see many men before
in this hall who would make good Presidents as
have had for the last twenty years, and who would
uphold the Constitution of the United States with quite
much ability and with much for the happi-
of the people of the country any gentleman IN
the Senate.
Nor would confne aspirations to the Presidency to
gentlemen in this the other branch of the Congress Of
the United States There very many men in private
life emneny qualified, who would If elected to that nigh
Office fulfil its duties with credit to themselves and with
advantage to the best interests of this country believe
that for the future would be the wiser for both
parties of the country select retired unambtoas
intelligent patriot and experienced man as their cand-
date respectively take the Chief Executive chair and
thus put end to this canvassng for the Presidency by
members of Congress.
have been led into these preliminary and desultory
remarks because know that matter how may speak
upon this question shall be set down Of those
Northern agtators who against the Nebraska bill and
as anslavery in my opinions But my past history in
the Congress of the United States be referred to
by meyet others may judge for themselveso show that
my action here as member OF Congress, has been as
national, as conservative and indicating as patriotic
disposition to do justice the South and to the North
that OF any man in public life.
And, sir come back to say few words upon
what consider the Importance of this question: i'm
portance which, in my humble judgment transcends that
Of all the compromises which have been adopted since
the settlement of the compromises of the Constitution
itself The compromises of the Constitution were the
fruit Of the revolution, and adopted by the men
who fought in the revolution. They were compromises
upon the Of taxation representation and slave
ry; and, well remarked by the honorable gentle
from Missouri mr. BENToN) yesterday, the ordi-
nance of 1877 was adopted about the same time by many
of the same men, in the spirit upon the great
questions The compromise of 1890 called the Mlssou
compromise, which is sought to break down,
also of the character for its nationality for its
great Importance and for its having been settled in the
spirit by the men, the eminent men Of the nation
who were in public life at that day.
The compromises of 1850 also of the same cha
racter growing out of questions connected with ter
ritory which we had acquired from Mexico by and
by purchase They settled by the most eminent
of the country, and may add happily settled, in
manner which met the approval of the two great parties
Of the country fnality, final settlement Of the
slavery agitation.
1t was then remarked by Mr. Webster that these COM
promises comprehended every inch of territory dis
posed of by previous legislation. And now, Mrs Chair
what is it proposed to do this occasion? Not to
make another compromise not to settle any great vexed
question forced upon by any great national emergen
Cyl nothing of this sort; but have proposition to
| break dorm a great national compromise.
Sir, call upon my Southern brethren-and rejoice
speak of them suchto adhere TO this compromise
AMI not allow themselves to yield to the seducons Of
power in attempt break down settled principles Of
national legislation which for than thirty years
have given peace and quiet to the country.
Mr.. Chairman, the proposition now brought forward
by not confined to either political party to break
down great compromise made by such Clay
Lowndes Pnkney of Maryland Pinckney of South Caro-
na and others of the great and eminent of the
ton. 1t is proposed to break down this compromise
which has existed for thirtyodd years, and which has
given peace and harmony to the country and the pros
perity consequent thereupon. But, sir suppose this
measure passes, will it stop agitation speak as one
of the conservative members of this body disposed at
all times to do justice to all sections of the Union and
SUCH say that in my humble judgment if you repeal
this Missouri compromise it will be but setting exam
| pie, precedent by which all the other compromises
may be repealed. You will place it in the power of f
ture Congresses to accomplish that end depending SOLE
ly upon thsr patriotism and good repeal them
or not.
Mr.. Chairman, for myself wish stand by the
promises of 1850 They did not upersede repeal that
Of 1920. voted for them, least for the greatest
portion Of them Ny constituency, patriotic and in
telgent any in the country desire stand by those
compromises and the great political party Of which
member, in the North well in the South, in my
humble Judgment desire to stand by them. The great
body of the in the North of both parties in my cpl
non stand pledged abide by and maintain the compro
Of 1920 and you will absolve them from all pledges in
ference to others Do this and you have right to
pect adherence from them to any others.
Mr.. Chairman regret at this late hour Of the day to
be compelled trespass the attention Of this commit
tee; but they will bear in mind that have during the
present session Of Congress occupied but little OF their
time am constrained by the duty which owe my
constituents and myself to define my opinions and posi-
ton this great question: engaging universal atten
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