The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-28

message by here and call the attention of the com
nittee 10 what he says on this point:
e The Territory Of Oregon lies far north Of deg 80 nin
the Missouri and Texas compromise line. Its southern bound
AIRY the parallel of AZ deg leaving the dis
tance 10 be $3.50 geographical miles"
And why did Mr. Polk sign the Oregon bill Because
he was willing TO take the Missouri Compromise us final
settlement OF the slave question: provided the friends
that Compromise willing extend 1t from The Rio
Grande to the Pacific OF, in his own language:
And is because the provisions of this bill are not neon
ssen with the laws OF the Missouri Compromise extended
from he Rio Graade 10 the Pacific oceaa that have not felt
at liberty withhold my sanction Had Il embraced terri
tory south that Compromise the question for
consideration would have been of far different character
and action upon il have corresponded with nv con-
yietions." ST
These are the words OF authority quoted 10 sustain
my colleague in Lis present unnatural positions He and
Others who oppose this bill tell that southern
has asked for the repeal of the Missouri Compromise
That s true sir they have abded by il faithfully and
quietly until il has become inconsistent with the Compro
mise Of 1850 which every good citizen acquesced In and
adhered nality II is to the Compromise of 1880
we are indebted for the final settlement Of this trouble
some question, @AN
standing by extending the line Of 36 deg 80 min to the
Pacific ocean, Mr.. Polk suggested, the South would
have been content TO abide by IL and there would then
have been nothing Of this wrangng that is disturbing the
public tranquility and retardng the legislation Of Con-
gress But the Nerth repudated the Compromise Of 1890
and refused to extend IT. after admitting the principle be
correct in the case OF the Texas Compromise Mr. Polk
his celebrated special message to Congress- made argu
ment well in favor Of the propety Of extending the
Missouri line to the Pacific as IN favor Of the doctrine Of
allowing the people Of the Territories control their own
affairs in their own way, which commend to my col
league
The Territory Of Oregon lies far north of thirty de-
grecs thirty minutes the Missouri and Texas compromise
ne It's southern boundary the parallel Of forty de-
gree leaving the intermediate distance be hundred
ions o this Bill are not inconsistent with the laws Of tbs Ms
souri COMPROMISE extended from the Rio Grande e the
sanction Had embraced territory south Of the Compro-
mise the question presented for would have
been Of far different character and my action upon
have corresponded with my convictions.
The Missouri Compromise contains prohibition Of
and half degrees along the Pacic from the parallel Of
thirtysx degrees thirty minutes TO that Of do
Rocky mountains. Why, then should institutions be
because proposed te submit to the people Of
thirtysix degrees thirty minutes embracing less than
degrees Of latitude the question whether in the Of
into tho Union with or without slavery
this question to be pushed 70 such ertremities BY
pewly acquired distant possessions the Pacific
danger the Union Of thirty glorious States which constitute
reflection and sound patriotism Of The people Of all the
viii bring them 10 the conclusion that the dictate wisdom
and settle this dangerous question the Missouri Compro
misc or some other equitable compromise, which would
sect the rights Of all and satisfactory to the different
portions Of the Union
But to come back TO Mr. Polks suggestion in favor Of
running The Missouri line the Pacific why did my
colleagues give the whole In its proper connexon
they intended give the facts as they 10 the country
That the very point OF the message and yet all Of them
omit it erttnded from he Rio Grande 10 the Pacific
ocesr This the recommendation Of the lamened and IL
lustrious Of Tennessee msquoed on this floor Was
IL done? Did the North agree TO extend III All know
they refused No has labored more assduously to
have it extended than Mr. DorGLAs the author Of this bill
lie has labored constantly TO effect its extension.
Mr. CULI.OM That the Oregon bill and il could
not be done Ia connexion with that bill
Mr. CHURCHWELL. Wasa line principle confined
to the Oregon bill sure not for Mr. Po. ground
icas e ground Mr. DOUGLAS take issue with the gem
tleman this point That II indeed novel argument
that line principle could be extended to the Pa
cc because portion Of the territory which it
might run not embraced In Oregon.
Mr.CUBJ0M II because the Territory Of Oregon
lies entirely north of the line Of 30 deg. 30 min
Mr.. CHURCHWELL, Far north Of SO deg 30 min. 4
Mr. Polk says that Oregon lice 50 FIR north Of the Missouri
Compromise line that the southern boundary the par
ae of42 deg leaving intermediate district Of two hun
dred and thirty geographical miles But what else NY
colleagues Messrs ETmDGK and CuLLoa both say that
Mr. Polk endorsed IL and they left the Impression upon the
committee and seek to make II upon the country that Mr.
Polk endorsed II and they do that without any quafca
lion Its not the fact as is shown by the record.
do not wonder that my colleagues have studousy sup
pressed portions OF the messages Of Mr. Polk from which they
quote passages sustain their extraordinary position on
this question have the time disclose the manner
in which their quotations have been made but as they
have deemed IL necessary 70 summon before this august
body the great example Of N Polk sustain by gsrblcd
extracts their peculiar attitude the Missouri Com pro-
mise leg 10 introduce the oown. powerful extract IRON
the fourth and last annual message OF Mr. Polk and in
ve the earnest attention Of the patriotic people Of
Tennessee Those who may 70 the volume that
tans his productions viii In this the bodest and most
prophetic arguments against the singular position OF my
colleagues who have acted with cw other southern men,
against this Nebraska bill and s principles The whole
Is here presented and with force and inspiration
at impress us with the belief that he anticipated the erent
which Is absut 70 take place
But however this may be, the question: involving il
docs principle Of equa Of rgh Of the separate and sew
era States equal copsrner the conderscy should not
be dsregardcd.
In organizing governments these Territories, no
they should legste on the subject Of slavery, while their
10 do only Seriously questioned but denied b
many o the sount oxpoundes Of that insrument Whcth
Congress shall este not the people OF the acquired
stnons win possoss the sole and exclusive 10 deter
for themselves whether slavery shall shall not exist
within their limits II Congress shall abstain from nterfc
ring With the question, the people Of those Territories VIII
apply for admission States into the Union No enactment
Of Congress could restrain the people OF OF the sovereign
States Of the Union, old North or South ssvehod
ehoding from determining tho character on
their domestic institutions they may deem wise and prop
and all this right and Congress
csnno, deprive them Of H. The people Of Georgia might
they chose alter their constitution 10 abolish slavery
within is limits; and the people Of Vermont might 80 alter
constitution admit slavery within its limits Both
States would possess the right though all know II not
probable that either would exert II.
that this question in its temporary ard can only
continue for the brief time which viii intervene before Ca
forns and New Mexico be admitted States into the
Union From the tide Of population now LOVING INTO them
II s highly probable this viii
Considering the several States and the citizens % the
several States equa and entitled 10 equal rights under
he constitution, II this an original question: might
well no siated on that The principle
4 f.t. sh-