The Yazoo Democrat., 1854-05-17
From the Washington Union.
A Strong Argument for Nebraska by
an Enemy.

AM AAM1AAy
The whole Of the elaborate argument made
by Colonel Benton against the repeal Of the
Missouri restriction was outweighed by sim
gle historical fact adduced by him by way Of
showing to the free States that he was not
forgetful Of favors That fact was, that in
1885, portion Of the territory covered By
the slavery prohibition was, at the instance
of Col Benton, and by the votes Of northern
congressman, incorporated into the State Of
Missouri, and thereby converted into slave
territory. This historical incident shows how
little notice is due to the clam0r raised by
abolitionists, and echoed by Colonel Benton,
against disturbing the sacred compact Of
1920" Colonel Benton himself when the
compact had been sixteen years in operation
agreed to and advocated It's abrogation, SO as
to change the line for one hundred miles
Where then was that holy horror with which
he now repels the same proposition when
made by Judge Douglas The compact was
broken, and the compromise line changed,
by the consent Of the members from free
States. But it is worthy Of special remark
that the change Of the line was made ex-
pressly and avowedly to convert soil that was
free into soil that tolerated slavery Ii was
not merely to give the inhabitants Of the
Territory the privilege Of tolerating or pro
hibiting slavery, as they might choose, but
the conversion Of free into slave territory
was unconditional and absolute. Now, how
a,ror xyJ,or, 4bo ,,,.o,,.--s43o-- - f~s ,o-~.--
restriction upon the rights Of tho inhabitants
and to concede to them full selfgoyenment.
Colonel Benton invokes the ghost of the
Missouri Compromise from the tomb Of the
Capulets'' the authors and advo-
Gates of the proposition in the genuine IA
notical style Of Chase, Giddings, and Sumner
-dwells with sanctimonious solemnity upon
the sacred character of a compact on which
he came into public life, on which he has al
ways stood, and on which be intends TO stand
to the day of his death. But when Colonel
Benton had so little regard for the Missouri
Compromise as to advocate its abrogation for
the purpose. of extending the area Of slavery
he was in full fellowship with the democratic
party, and had leader in Andrew Jackson,
whose viii he was always glad to know and
prompt to approve Colonel Benton had
not then conceived the idea Of being borne
into the presidential chair upon the shoulders
of abolitionists, and wings sympathizing with
them. It is wonderful that he should be so
lavish in absorbing presidential motives to
others, when his own palpable tergiversa.
tions 50 readily suggest the same charge
against himself But we are not concerned
about his motives the historical fact which
he relates with so much complacencv is the
matter of consequence knocks an the
brains out Of his argument; and. whilst it
exposes his own Inconsistency, it arms the
friends of the Nebraska bill with another
powerful weapon Of defence and Of attack.
To give this fact full weight, we quote # as
stated by Colonel Benton himself In his
speech Of Tuesday last lie said:
What was the condition Of the slave States
thirty years ago in relation to the soil
within their limits Debarred Of a great psrf
OF Its use. an Indian population covering nors
or less Of almost every slave State, and prevent
ing expansion Of its population. what is IN royv7
All relieved. The Indians an gone. their lands
all brought under the dominion of The white
man, and the area Of slave population ana of
slave cultivation greatly increased-to the er-
tent OF third or fourth of its soil in some of
the States. How was this done Certainly by
the help Of free State votes Cfor it could nGt
have been done without them y by tie helm III
their votes IN procuring the appropriations ami
Tatliiylng the treaties which he removal of fba
Indians required Missouri got her fne sorfb-
west quarter relieved by these means The r41a
CoteS gaUe rs t1e Platte country seren fne eos,--
tSes added to the State and that Bu qiferir, ~,
compromise line TO iNclude %, and acfagH,. .o--
Uerffng that fine region from free soil fo q77re
SotL Northern notes enabled 81 f9 ~ Jooe.
northern TOtes altered obore hundrs3 ,oslse ~
of the compromise line for our benefit s0or ,,.,.
request; and will never be ungrafefnI ~ tbe
North for il. nor Tequite st by brsach rr fbe
line to their prejudice. And now did gre ob-
tain the northern vote which were neccou-s~v
for all these measures the appropriation ao1-
treaties for all these Indian removals. arl ~
that alteration Of the compromise line vkfct err.
rs the beautiful Platte country How ala ~
Missouri delegation Of that day, the most ani.-
bic and talented DR.. Linn and myself in fFe
Senate, and General Ashley in ihe Houre-herg
dId we obtain that great boon for orr sFfe7
Did we get these votes by belching ab0liiioniem