Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1854-07-17
BY COVER & GOLDSMITH.


though they regarded the annexation, with
the probable increase Of the number Of
slave States, with very great disfayor, nev-
ertheless acquiesced again. New terrific
ries We're acquired by the treaty of peace
which closed the war with Mexico. The
people of California formed constitution
inhibiting Slavery, and applied for admis-
sion into the Union. Violent opposition
was made by the slave States in and out
OF Congress, threatening the dissolution Of
the Union if California should be admitted
Proceedings on the ground of these alarms
Congress adopted another compromise, the
terms of which were, that ten million dol
lars Of the peoples money should be giver
to Texas to induce her to relinquish We
ry doubtful claim upon an inconsiderable
part of New Mexico, that New Mexico anG
Utah should be organized without an inhi
bition Of Slavery, and that they should be
afterward admitted as slave or free States,
as the people, when forming constitutions
should determine; that the public slave
trade in the District of Columbia should
be abolished, without affecting the exist
ence Of Slavery in the District; and that
new and rigorous provisions for the recap
ture of fugitive slaves Of disputed constitu-
tionality should be adopted, and that on
these conditions California should be adj
mitted as free State. Repugnant as this
compromise was to the people of the free
States, acquiescence was nevertheless prac-
tically obtained by means of solemn assu-
RANGES, made on behalf Of the slaveholdino
States, that the Compromise was and
should be forever regarded as final adj
justment of the Slavery question, and Of
all the issues which could possibly arise
out Of it. A new Congress convened in
December, 1851. Representatives from
the above States demanded a renewed
pledge of fidelity to this adjustment, Il
was granted by the House of Representa-
tiyes on the following terms:
Resolued, That we recognize the bind
ing efficacy Of the compromises Of the Con
stltutlon, and believe it to be the inten-
ton OF the people generally, as we hereby
declare it to be ours individually, to abide
by such compromises and sustain the laws
necessary to carry them out, the provisions
for the delivery of fugitive slaves, and the
acts Of the last Congress for that purpose
Included, and that we deprecate all futhel
agitation Of questions embraced in the acts
Of the last Congress known as the Com
promise, and Of questions generally con-
nected with the institution of Slavery as
unnecessary, useless and dangerous.
A few months subsequently the Demo
cratic National Convention met at Balti-
more, and, assuming to speak the senti-
ments of the Democratic party, set forth in
its platform That the Democratic larty
will resist all attempts at renewing in Con.
gress or out Of it, the agitation Of the Sla-
very question under whatever shape or CO.
! lor the attempt may be made. Soon at.
terward another National Convention as
semblcd in the same city, and assuming
the right to declare the sentiments of the
Wing party said: We deprecate all further
agitation of the questions thus settled as
dangerous to our peace and will discounte-
nance all efforts to continue or renew such
/ ltCtUIOiis hIICIICNtl3 NilCICNcl, VI however
made The present Administration was
elected on the principle of adherence to
this compromise, and the President refer
ring to it in his inaugural speech, declared
that the harmony which had been secured
by it should not be disturbed during his
term of office. The President recurring te
the same subject renewed bis pledge in his
message to Congress at the beginning o.
the present Session, in the following Ian
guage:
"But Notwithstanding differences of opin-
ion and sentiments which then existed in
relation to details and specific provisions
the acquiescence Of distinguished citizens
whose devotion to the Union can never be
doubted, has given renewed vigor to on
institutions, and restored a sense Of repose
and security to the public mind through.
out the Confederacy. That this repose is
to suffer no shock during my official term
if have the power to avert it, those who
placed me here may be assured"
Under these circumstances tie PROPOSE
: ton to repeal the Missouri Compromise
was suddenly and Unexpectedly made by
the same Committee on Territories, whicl
only ten days before had affirmed the sane
tity of the Missouri Compromise, and de
E clared the end of agitation in the follow
ing explicit and unmistakable language:
''Your Committee do not feel them
selves called upon to enter into a discus
sion Of those eonhoyerted questions. The,
f involve The same grave issues which pro
duced the agitation, the sectional strife
and the fearful struggle of 1850. AS Con
gress deemed it wise and prudent to refrain
from deciding the matters in controvers,
then, either by affirming or repeating thu
Mexican laws, or by an act declaratory o
the true intent of the Constitution, ant
the extent of the protection afforded by i
to slave property in the territories, so you
Committee are not prepared noU to recon-
mend a departure from the course pursue,
upon that memorable occasion, either BY
affirming or repeating the eighth section
of the Missouri act, or by any act declara
tory Of the meaning of the Constitution il
respect to the legal points in dispute
The abrogation has been effected in pur
7 Al \ l. IL