Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-02-27
of the Shield of the Almighty, which, in


that by the overthrow of this prohibition, the
number of slaves will not be increas d; that there
will be simply benefcent diffusion Of slave
ery, and not its extension, reply at once, that
this argument, if of any value--if not mere
words and nothing else--would equally justi-
fv and require the overthrow of the prohibit
ton of Slavery in the free States, and, indeed,
everywhere throughout the world. All the
bikes which, in different countries, from time
to time with the march of civilization, have
been painfully set up against the lnroads OF
this evil, must be removed, and every land
opened anew to its destructive flood. 1t is
clear, beyond dispute, that by the overthrow
of this prohibition, slavery will be quickened,
and slaves themselves will be multiplied, while
new ''room and verge viii be secured for
the gloomy operations Of slave law under
which free labor will droop, and vast terrific
ry will be smitten with sterility. Sir, blade
Of grass would not grow where the horse of
Attila had trod nor can any true prosperity
spring up in the footprints of the slave.
But it is suggested that slaves win not be
carried into Nebraska in large numbers, and
that, therefore, the question is of small practi-
cal moment. My distinguished colleague
Mr.. EVERETT, III his eloquent speech,
hearkened to this suggestion, and allowed
himself, while unfolding the prohibition, to
disparage its Importance in manner, from
which | feel constrained kindly, but most
strenuously to dissent. Sir, the census
shows that it is of vital consequence. There
is Missouri at this moment, with Illinois on
the east and Nebraska on the west, all cover
ing nearly the same spaces of latitude, and
resembling each other i'll soil, climate, and
productions Mark now the contrast BY
the potent efficacy Of the ordinance Of the
Northwestern Territory, Illinois is now free
State, while Missouri has 81 ,422 slaves and
the simple question that challenges an answer
is, whether Nebraska shall be preserved III the
condition Of Illinois, or surrendered to that of
Missouri Surely this cannot be treated light
". But for myself, l am unwilling to measure
the exigency of the prohibition by the mum
Der of persons, whether many or few,
whom it may protect. Human rights,
whether in a solitary individual or vast
multitude, are entitled to an equal and
unhesltating support. In this spirit, the flag
Of our country only recently became the i'm
penetrable panoply of homeless wanderer,
who claimed its protection in distant sea
and in this spirit, | am constrained to declare
that there is no place accessible to human av-
arice, or human lust, or human force-wheth-
er in the lowest valley, or on the loftiest
mountain-top, whether on the broad-h flower
spangled prairies, or the snowy caps Of Rocky
Mountains-where the prohibition of slavery,
like the commandments of the Decalogue,
should not go. But leaving these things be-
hind, press at once to the argument.
l. And now' sir, in the name of that pub
lie faith, which is the very ligament of civil
society, and which the great Roman orator
tells us it detestable to break even with an en-
envy, arraign this scheme, and hold it up to
the Judgment of all who hear me. There is
an early Italian story Of an experienced citi-
zen, who, when his nephew told him he had
been studying, at the University of Bologna,
the science Of right, said, iu reply, ''You have
spent your time to little purpose. 1t would
have been better had you learned the science
Of might, for that is worth two of the other;'
and the bystauders Of that day all agreed that
the veteran spoke the truth. | begin, sir, by
assuming that honorable Senators will not act
in this spirit-that they viii not substitute
niq6s for Yjght-that they will not wantonIy
and fagitiously discard any oun5S
or covenant because they chance to possess
the power; but that, as honest men, DESTROYS
to do right. they will confront this question
Sir, the proposition before you involves not
merely the repeal of an existing law, but the
infraction Of solemn obligations originally
proposed and assumed by the South, after a
protraeted and embittered contest, as coyen-
ant of peace-with regard to certain specified
territory therein described, namely: "Al
that territory ceded by France to the United
States, under the name of Louisiana ac-
cording to which, in consideration of the adj
mission into the Union of Missouri as a slave
State, slavery was forever prohibited in all the
remaining part of this territory which lies
orth Of 36 deg. 80 min. This arrange
ment, between, different sections of the
Union-the slave States of the first part, and
the free States of the second part-though
usually known as the Missouri compromise,
was at the time styled COMPACT. In its stip-
ulations for slavery, it was justly repugnant
to the conscience Of the North, and ought
never to have been made; but it has on that
side been performed. And now the upper
formed outstanding obligations to freedom,
originally proposed and assumed by the South,
are resisted.
Years have passed since these obligations
were embodied in the legislation of Congress,
and accepted by the country. Meanwhile,
the statesmen by whom they were framed and
indicated, have, one by one, dropped from
this earthly sphere. Their living voices cam
not now be heard, to plead for the preserya-
ton Of that Public Faith to which they were
pledged. But this extraordinary lapse of time,
with the compile fruition by one party of all
the benefits belonging to it, under the COM
pact, gives to the transaction an added and
most sacred strength. Prescription steps in
with new bonds to confirm the original work;
to the end that while men are motal, contro-
versies shall be immortal. Death, with mex
orable scythe, has moved down the authors
of this compact; but, with conservative hour
glass, it has counted out succession of years;
which now defle before us, like so many SEN
tinels, to guard the sacred landmark of Free
dom.
A simple statement of facts, derived from
the journals of Congress and contemporary
records, will show the origin and nature Of
this compact, the influence by which it was
established, and the obligations which. it i'm
posed
AS early as 1918, at the first session of the
Fifteenth Congress, bill was reported to the
House Of Representatives, authorizing the
people Of the Missouri Territory to form a
Constitution and State Government, for the
admission of such State into the Union but,
at that session, no final action was had there
on. At the next session, in February, 1919,
the bill was again brought forward, when an
eminent Representative of New York, whose
life has been spared till this last summer, Mr..