The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-03-17
The Missouri Co..sprosntse.
lf. Cait0uu'S opinion Of tie Missouri C0nlprt
mise and Ordinance Of 1887.

muse 0It0 O/UtHQHCe " Ii0|'
Mr.. Calhoun, in one of his speeches on the or
dlnance Of 1897, speaks as follows:
The act itself was unauthOrlsed. The articles
of confederation conferred not shadow OF author
ity on Congress 10 pass the ordinance, as is ad-
mitted by Mr.. Madison, and yet this unauthorseo,
sided act, (as it has turned TO be,) passed
in the last moments of the old confederacy, was
relied on as a precedent (aIIuding to the Missouri
! Compromise of Is20) for excluding the South from
two-thirds Of the territory acquired from France
by the Louisiana treaty. and the whole OF the Ore
Gon territory, and is relied on to Justify her
exclusion from all the territory acquired by the
Mexican war, and all that may be acquired IN any
manner hereafter.
Tile Works Of Calhoun, gol l, p0ge $50.
Again, l9th February, 1849, Mr.. Calhoun re-
marked as follows:
Sir here let me say word as to the compro-
mise line. | have always considered Ii as great
error highly injurious to the South, because II
surrendered, for mere temporary purposes, those
high principles OF the constitution upon which l
think we ought to stand | am against any COM
promise line. Yet would have been willing to
acquiesce in a countenance of the Missouri com.
promise, in order to preserve, under the present
trying circumstances, the peace Of the UnIon.-
One oc the resolutions in the House. to that effect
was offered at my suggestion. | SAID TO trend
there, I" Let US not be disturbers of this UnIon.-
Abhorrent 10 my feelings is that compromise,
line, let it be adhered TO in good faith ; and II the
other portions Of the Union willing to atand by
it, let us not refuse to stand by it, 1t has kept peace
for some time, and in the present circumstances
perhaps it would be better to be continued as Is.
But it was voted down by an overwhelming ma
iority. 1t was renewed by gentleman from
non slavehoding State, and again voted down by
an overwhelming majority.
see my way in the constitution cannot in a
compromise. A compromise is but an act of Con-
gress. 1t may be overrued at any time. 1t gives
US no security. But the constitution is stable. 1t
is a rock. Oni we can stand. 1t is firm and
stable ground, on which we can better stand in op.
position to fanacism than the shifting sands Of
compromise.
Let US be done with compromises. Let US go
back and stand upon the constitution
Elsewhere Mr. Calhoun uses the following lam
guage.
But GO farther ond hold that iuotico ond tho
constitution are the easiest aud the safest guard on
which the question can be settled, regarded IN re-
ference to parry. 1t may be settled on that ground
simlIy by non-acion by leaving the Territories
free and open to the migration of all the world so
long as they continue SO, and when they become
States, to adopt whatever constitution they please,
with the single restriction TO be republican, in Or
der to their admission into the Union. II a party
cannot safely take this broad and solid position,
and successfully maintain it, wha: other can 1t take
and maintain! II it cannot maintain itself by an
appeal TO the great principles OF justice, the con-
stiiuion, and self-government, to what other sufli
cientIy strong to uphold them in public opinion,
can they appeal? greatly mistake the character
OF the people Of this Union if such appeal would
not prove successful if either party should have
The magnanmty to step forward aud boldly make
IT, 1t would in my opinion, be received with
shouts Of appreciation by the patriotic and inteill-
fall,
perVading the country that the Union and our po-
ltical institutions are in danger, which such
course would dspe.
And again:
There is very striking difference between the
position IN which the slaveholdiny and non-slave-
holding States stand IN reference to the subject
der consideration. The former desire on action
of the government; demand no law to e We them
any advantage in the Territory about to be es:ab.
lished and wiling to leave it and other Terrto
ries belonging TO the United States open to all
their citizens so long they continue to be Ter.
ritories and when they cease to be so, to leave it
to their Inhabitants to form such governments as
may suit them, without restriction condition., eX
cept that imposed by the constitution as prere-
qu;site for admission into the Union. In short,
they are willing to leave ;he whole sui jet where
the constitution and the great and fundamental
principles of self-government place 1t. On the
contrary, the n.savehoding States, instead Of
being willing to leave ii on this broad and equal
foundation demand the nterposition of the govern
ment and the passage Of an act to exclude the ci
tizens, of the slave holding States from emgrating
with their property into the Territory, in order to
give their citizens, and those they may permit the
exclusive right of settling it, while it remains in
the condition, preparatory TO suhlecng i; TO like
restriction and conditions when it becomes a State
MUSICAL MICE.-The editor Of the Portland
State OF Maine states hat about three weeks ago
The nj ght compositors, Of that office disturb
ed by certain musical sounds which seemed to
come from he walls or from behind their cases.
Some times it would be heard in a low, murmur-
ing tone oneside Of the room, and be responded
to in lively chirrup from the other. The com
PosHors soon began 10 like the music, which re-
sembled somewhat the softer notes Of the canary
blrd with prolonged warble at the close, and
learned 10 walk softly about the room, so that the
performance should not be interrupted One
night the serenaders appeared before them in the
shape of two small mice. They were kindly
greeted and condescended TO partake of the era OK
ers and cheese which were offered them
They became each succeeding night more
familiar and more musical, and now they sit and
sing and cheer the hearts Of those who tarry at
the cases, work upon the forms, after the great
mass OF The citv's population are asleep.' They |
seem 10 delight in watching the foreman as he !!
makes up bis form. and become more silent ONLY (