Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-02-18

tons Of both parties and now in the very face Of the
fact the chief Executive Of the Unou had congrau
lated the people that this disposed Of it was
again revived by remarks Of the most agtang and most
thrilling character. A@
He then referred to the Missouri compromise stating
that he fully satisfied that there was any thing
in the Constitution Of the United States which authorized
the line Of $50 3 There express provision in the
Constitution for such enactment yet he thought there
certain exgences in the history Of our Government
where necessities which required the enactment Of
extra constitutional measures He referred to
sion Of this kind by calling the attention OF the commit
to the position which Jefferson took ut the time Of the
acquisition Of Louisiana That distinguished statesman
declared that the Constitution made provision for
holding foreign territory still less for incorporating for
egn nations into own, and said that the acquisition
was an beyond the Constitution Although
this might have been act beyond the Constitution in
its nature and character long aoquiescence had given it
the authority Of sort Of compact and the people had
abided by It, was SO in regard TO the Missouri COM
promise Although there might have been no express grant
valid binding and obligatory as the Constitution
itself II gentlemen did not admit this proposition and
intended now to 60 back and repeal or abrogate this
clause because there was express grant for it. they
might be required 60 still further back and repudate
the act which Jefferson said unauthorized by the
Constitution and thus drive out Louisiana Missouri Ar
kansas, sc.
Mr.. c. then reviewed the subject Of slavery and en-
tered into argument show that was one Of the
great purposes Of forefahers in declaring their in
dependence abolish the institution Of slavery He held
the spirit Of those who framed the Constitution to ex-
cude slavery from the Territories
Mr.. KERR looked upon agitation extremely danger
GUS to Constitution, and would like to it finally
aayed With many Others both In the North and South
he rjoced when Congress in 1850 effected adjustment
of this irritating question: whereby the two great
tons of the country could on harmonionsy toge-
ther our national prosperity be promoted and exist
ence as nation be perpetunted As Southern man he
felt himself bound to abide by that compromise He felt
that they of the South peculiarly called upon to in
sis upon its sacredness; and for one, under crcu
stances would he be induced to cooperate in any
effort to impair its solemn obligation.
1t was said that the spirit of that compromise
violated by the measure they would be called to
consider It that So he should vote against it, but
he had anxouy examined the question: and he could not
for his life how any having just regard for the
rights Of others well his could impute viola
ton Of good faith those who insisted upon the passage
Of the bill reported fNm the Committee Territories
He believed the bill proposed the only mode under Heaven
by which peace and quiet and repose could be given to
the country.
He in glowing terms expressed his devotion to the
Union but said that Southern he must insist
upon equality Of rights, and would take less
than equality Reyerng the Union he did, loving
it with fervent and enthusiastic affection, the moment
he should discover it to be made Of dominant
majority to Cypress that section Of country in which his
destiny had been cast he would trampe it in the DUST
and join any any force to pull 1t down. asserting
and procaiming the last liberty and equality DEATH
Mr.. GIDDINGS then made brief explanation Of some
historical facts in connection with the purchase of Lou
siana after which the committee
And the House adjourned until Monday.