Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-09-22
mise-POsitiOn of Wing Members of
the Legislature of 1854

the Legislature of 1854.
| EDIroRs OF PArRlor:-Though but little accus-
toned to writing for the press yet there is subject
of great public interest, to which have bestowed
some reflection, and since, in regard to it, there s
as l conceive great misunderstanding and much
misrepresentation, have thought that the follow
ing facts from the record would not be Improbable
to the public. The subject | alude TO, is the
cent legislation by Congress- repeating the Missouri
Compromise and the former action and present po
stion of parties in Tennessee 10 reference that
legislation. We learn that some of the Buchanan
Electors in this State are charging inconsistency
upon Mr. Fillmore's Electors here, and to support
the charge are strenuously asserting that the Wing
members of the Legislature of Tennessee of 1854,
some OF whom are now the electoral ticket, are
committed on the Journals, 10 voting to approve
and endorse Senator Dixon's amendment to Sena-
tors Douglas Kansas Nebraska Bill. Now all the
voting by the members of the Tennessee Legsla-
ture in reference to this subject upon abstract
propositions in the form Of resolutions and amend
meuts, relating TO Mr.. Douglas Bill and Senator
Dixon's Amendment, and to fall appreciation of
the votes given by members of the Tennessee Leg
islature, it will be proper TO examine briefly the
provisions of the Kansas Nebraska Act, commonly
known as Senator Douglas Bill, and of Senator
D1ou's Amendment relative to .he Missouri Com.
promise.
The latter clause Of the fourteenth section of the
Kansas Nebraska Bill speaks upon this point as fol-
lows:
THAT the Constitution and all laws Of the United
States, which not locally insppicable, shall have
the force aud effect within the said Territory
OF Nebraska, elsewhere within the United States,
except the eighth section Of the act preparatory to
the admission OF Missouri, approved, March sixth,
eighteen hundred aud twenty, which being incon-
sstent with the principle Of nOn-intervention by
Congress With slavery in the States and Territories
rs recognised by the legislation OF eighteen hun
dred aud fifty, commonly called the compromise
measures, is hereby declared imperative and void;
it being the uteut and meaning OF this act not
TO legslste slavery into any Territory State
10 exclude il therefrom, but to leave the people
thereof perfectly free to form and regulate their
domestic Institutions 10 their owa vay, subject only
to the Constitution of the United States"
Now, to stop the quotation right here, what lie
donel The eighth section or restrictive clause OF
the Missouri Compromise is expressly repealed, de-
clsred "inoperatve and void" lie not this legisla
ing by Congress on the sgbject OF slavery in the
Terrisories.) What does this simple repeal Of the
Missouri Compromise do? II unquestionaby leaves
matters as they stood before the Compromise or
Missouri restriction was enacted How was thss
Slavery existed add tolerated Ia eli the terrific
~ TO which the Missouri restriction was applied
THIS territory had belonged to France, aud ce-
ded to the United States. All know aud concede.
that the Frenchlaws tolerated slavery. The cesson
or transfer from France to the United States did not
ehsnge the relations OF the inhabitants with each
other" "rhe act which transfers their country.
transfers the allegiance OF those who remain in it;
"ABd the Law, which may be denominated political,
is necessarily changed, although that which regus
'stes the intercourse and general conduct OF indi-
'viduAls remains In force until altered BY the new
'y created power Of che State" Thus IL Is decided
BY the highest Judicial authority At the country,
See 81 Peters reports Supreme Court Of United
Stales "Ths American Insurance Company, ct al
vs. Center" page SAT- Then she nmpls rcpraI Of
the Missouri restriction which restriction altered
snairs ios the sake Of peace and harmony thea-
changes then back sad rsvisea the operation Of the
french lass loleraliug slavery IN the Louisiana Der
ritory This. if we desired Southern secsioaaI
Oepehs at the expense Of the peace and integrity
Of he eosntEy, might have been considered boon
70 The South. Bot do The trainers Of she bin stop
herei Knowing Il they did that the cid Freaeb
Laws woald be revived. they 20 on and provide
aoaiass a. and 10 ths Glowing terms Il being the
true intent and meaning oi this Acs % ssisla,s
slavery Into any territory or State nor &e., they
stIsesually iAba lhe epsrasion II the Ffsnch Iavs
add furthermore snsrat nPon ihe bil. according 70
Mr.. Bs,hsssn and bic SoFhesn sndorssss. NE
.'sqpsser soyersgnv" siurs, toe besssiial Opers-