Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-21

In SO much OF the country acquired from Texas
situated north OF SO 80 as was embraced within
The limits OF New Mexico, and upon which pro-
hibition Of slavery had previously existed, there
was guarantee contained in the Compromise of
1901 that the people should no longer be deprived
OF the right TO settle the slavery question for them
selves IN any portion OF said Territory, notwith-
standing the stipulation of the Missouri Com
promise that slavery should never exist there.
Thus Il appears that in the adoption OF the com
promise measures Of 1850 no respect was paid TO
the iact whether the territory lay north south of
80 80, or 10 whether IL was derived from Mexico,
Texas, or France, and whether slavery had been
prohibited in any portion of il not, for the rea-
son that the principle upon which the new plan of
adjustment was founded rendered these consdera-
tons entirely immaterial, since the policy of a
geographical line had been abandoned
When returned 10 my home in this city in Oc-
tober 1850, immediately after the consummation Of
this great scheme of Adjustment, found here a
wild and angry spirit Of hostility and resistance TO
those measures as violent and as determined as
that which existed 10 the Nebraska bill ON my re-
turn this year A take no pleasure in recurring TO
the scenes that were then enacted. The common
council had passed resolutions multiplying the laws
OF the United States and Withholding the assist
ance Of the police in their execution. The stand
ard OF rebellion against the federal government
had been raised and violent resistance to the con-
sttuted authorities was threatened. The dangers
OF boodshed and civil war seemed imminent and
almost unavoidable. II was not pleasant duty
TO appear before the inhabitants of city thus ex-
cited and determined, and vindicate series of
measures SO unpopular and so odious, and where
the current of opinion seemed SO unanimous that
successful vindication appeared hopeless. Yet
| duty impelled me TO make the effort. defended
each OF the compromise measures Of 1850 in de-
tai, and the whole as system insisting that
each was eminently just and right in ITSELF in sub
| stance and principle being founded ON sound con-
stitutional principles. tApplause.l
My speech on that occasion was published in
pamphlet form, and large edition circulated
throughout this State and TO some extent through
out the whole country. If any one will take the
trouble 10 look into that speech, as published at
| the time, he will perceive that then gave the
same exposition OF the principles OF that plan Of
adjustment that now give in my justification OF
the Nebraska bill. II will be seen that then and
there defended the compromise measures of 1850
upon the distinct prhciple that the people Of each
Territory and State coming into the Union should
be lett tree 10 decide the question OF slavery for
themselves. There was general election pend
ing this State at the time for members Of Congress
and Legislature. Pending that canvass, The merits
| OF the Compromise, which had just been adopted
and the correctness Of the principles on which il
was founded, were freeyand fully discussed be-
lore the people. When the Legislature assembled
| few weeks thereafter, the two houses proceeded
10 reconsider the position which The State occupied
on the slavery question in consequence Of their
previous action and TO take such steps the new
| policy inaugurated by the compromise measures
of 1850 should render necessary on the part OF
this Stale. The senate passed, and the house
concurred in, series of resolutions which, re-
gret 10 say, nave not at my command tins mo-
iheh, put ,nc substance Oh which Is distnctiy I'M
pressed upon my mlnd. In those resolutions they
Iepeaieu IN Iol1i aha TERMS, .ne resolutions pre-,
II vousy auoP,eu ihsructing my coneague ano
mysel' " soae ior PloniD'ioh o. slavery IN al,
cue newly ,acqu,rea Ierrlorles Oh me United
| states; lney also approved In those resolutions
II
uisunc.iy referring 70 anu describing each by
| name, anu especiaiiy .hey ENDORSED ana approved
" INC orgahi]atoh OF tne ne" ierrilores a0ahoHf
Ms "HMoi Prov'so oe'Hg atiaenea 10 me same
as being the firm ami d.l;hera,e a,nrasso. &c ~.
peope of Illinois that This Sia,e from that narod
| and IN The future yyoud stand ,non and snnrova
| the great princinje upon which The comnrpm;ss
4 measures Of 1S50 were founded as s,,bs,;,,,,s.
i for The Obsolete ,b.orv ~ q geooranbicai linz -
| senara,e free from SLAVE ,s,r;,os, Icha.a !.
| great applauseI - :" A-'
| Tn add;,;on - ,b;s sar;as ar ..oI,,;o a. .
house OF representarIves who were The INN =
representatives OF The neooe and ali If yvlono
1 had been elected nending ,be a;scns.;on or IL
| question, and with a view 10 the endorsement ~
| The principle contained In n adooted anober .e
/ ries OF resolutions which should NOT only endorsa
the compromise measures of 1850 ma n sat i.fac,ory
/ adjustment Of the points involved In tbat con,ro
yersy but should sanction the princinles assertsd
/ as a rule Of action TO govern the SENATORS and
| representatives from this State in all time ~
/ come will be hardened Tor reading tba, reso.
luton:
aR,,oJ,sS Tb., an, l;h.,,,, "a ;.1,
are ssJ mon III. r;ah,or * ,'l 81 re
IN 81, ss,, f,,t - ~ 'o,n Ior
and ,bs, hi. e ,v;s;.a ,Ss may CHOOSE
/ mao ,hs "a ~ usa v., aa.,.aI 80 ens u nIe
hiond 81 a. a.,s,o,s ~ ~ US py me i
S,,os. sr.nera,;nns a,a - I?,,a;,. :. enuco 20
snnl;sd - ,h;s ,sns,.r - ~. asa oush. 70 oe
Ttnrrr;,or,, ,S,hi Irn;,.d s,., 81 n.,ts ~ any
rial aov.r,,an, =. s,a,a ,s,;,.., .erl,.o
The goyernmsn, 40 ,shi;.hsd aha,I -. p.1voeo
ana in corsor.,r ,.;,h ~. cana,;,'.,;P W ~
Tinted states ny 'Ae oo''''ulo" VI inc
IT,
lhis resolution, must DC borne IN mind, was
aoopteu as one OF series expressive OF the opin.
IONS Oh the people OF iinnois through their repre-
sen'allyes, upon Tie right OF the people TO settle
me slavery question lot themselves, and as an act
OF approval OF the principle contained In the Com
promise measures Oh 1907 as substitute Tor both
the Whmor proylso and the policy OF a geographi'
cal hhe. mus appears that al tnat period the
representatives, OF the people OF liilnois regarded
,ne Prinepe involved 10 the Nebraska bill as ths
o"tn'iYM y JTeeDaen, Ne gyfct heaDen, secnyad 10
&c y zee e'ood % oar ancestors, and declared that
in's principle oughtto be extended 10 future gen.
cTdtlOnH. In order TO avoid all doubt their