Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-10-07
Missouri Compromise.

We have Just received, and publish in an
other column, letter from friend and sub
scriber in Wythe county, Virginia, with whose
request we cheerfully comply, as an act of cour-
tesy to him, and an act of justice to Mr.. Fill
more and the American party, by republishing
a resolution adopted by the members of the
House of Delegates Of Virginia, during the SEES
sion of the General Assembly Of that State, in
the winter of 1882. That resolution reads
"ResoIusd, That if, in disregard of the spirit and
PRINCIPLES of the act of Congress- the admission OF
the State of Missouri into the Union GENERALLY
KNOWN as THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE, and of every
consideration of justice constitutional right and fra
ternal feeling, the fearful issue shall be forced upon
the country which will result from the adoption and
enforcement Of the Wilmot Provso an act of the
General Government the people of Virginia can
have no difficulty in deciding between the only alter
natives that will then remain, of abject submission TO
aggression and outrage on the one hand or deter
mined resistance the other, at all hazards and to
the last extremity.
Less than eight years ago, this resolution
was passed by vote of | II ayes to Is noes by
the Democratic House Of Delegates of Virgin
ia, and they then threatened resistance at all
hazards and to the last extremity" if that
Compromise should be disregarded," and yet
they now abuse Mr. Fillmore and the American
party, for daring to assert, that the repeal OF
that Compromise was unwise and inexpedient
and that it has proved to be PGnd0ra'S
6or," dee. Eight years ago the Democrats of
Virginia threatened secession, revolution, dis
solution, and everything else in the shape Of
"last ertremities," if that Compromise should
be disregarded, and moo they can find no cpl
thets of opprobrium strong enough to apply to
those who think the views expressed by Vir-
ginia in 1852 were wise and conservative
But whilst we are upon this subject let US
refer to another proof that the Virginia Democ-
racy in 1848 thought the Missouri Compromise
ought not to be disregarded.
In the adoption Of the above-m mentioned res
olution, by the members of the House Of Del
egates, in the winter Of 184919, Democrats
and Wings united, though the great prepon-
derance of members who voted for it, were
Democrats. But State Convention of the
Democracy Of Virginia was held on the Goth
day Of February, 1s4s, when a series of reso.
buttons were adopted, and among them the
following, and we believe with perfect una
nimity. It does not appear that any objec-
ton was made to it the 9th resolution reads
thus:
That this Convention heartily responds to the
noble resolutions Of the Alabama State Democratic
Convention, and WILL under political necessity
whatever support for the Presidency any person who
shall not be the firm and avowed opponent Of any
plan or doctrine which in any way interferes with
the right Of citizens Of any State, to possess and
enjoy all their property in any Territory which may
be acquired by the Union as fully, completely anC
securely as citizens Of any other State shall enjoy
theirs -tDcept 50 far as that being unwilling 70 DIS
t6 the Missouri Compromise zoe are content NTH dd
herence 10 its principle"
Now, promising that this expression Of un
willingness to disturb the Missouri Compro
mise" was given by purely democratic
State Convention Of Virginia" in 1848, anC
that some little indulgence and lenity is there
fore due, from the Virginia Democracy, to
wards those who still thinE it would have
been wiser to continue 10 adhere to il, than t
suPerinduce threats Of "the last extremity
from OTHER QUARTERS, for disregard of il
spirit and principles" we desire to call atten
ton to another point in this connection.
The Virginia Democratic State Convention
above mentioned, pronounced the proceeding.
Of the Alabama State Convention the SoBLI
REsoLUuoNsp Of that State, &c It endorsed
those resolutions with an exception, as allow
stated. Nov, these noble resolutions Of tn
Alabama State Convention" are the very iden
teal resolutions which Mr.. Yancey Of tina
State, forwarded to Mr.. Buchanan on the I'd {
May, 1s4s, and which Mr.. Buchanan, by hi