Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-09-29
CONCESSIONS OF THE SOUTH FOR THE SAKE

or THE UNI0N.s
In estimating tbs sacsiaees of the North and the
South respectively for the sake Of the Union, the
facts Of history pFeponderate in favor Of our section.
We are even Sustained in asserting that the South
mas made al the concessions, and this time is the
only section that chershes true attachment to the
Union, and is seeking really to perpetuate it. The
Slack Republicans now in the ascendsncy in most Of
the free States disunionists whose policy If at
tempted by the Federal Government, would not be
submitted to by the South. In fanatical crusade
against slavery they have lest sight entirely of the
objects and value of the Union, and in their nsani
ty they are ready to go any length at degrading
the Southern States. The concessions of the South
incentives to still further aggressons on our rights
we shall reserve for future discussion To refer to
the main concessions is the design Of the present
article.
This concilistory spirit Of the South was plainly
exhibited, when she submitted to the celebrated
Ordnance of 1877. Nathan Dane of Massachusetts.
reported bill for a government over what was
known as the Northwest Territory the most Of which
had oeen cedsd BY Virginia upon the recommenda-
ton OF Congress-aH Of it. slave territory This
bill embraced Mr. Jefersons anti slavery ordinance
proposed and defeated in 17S4-in the words ethsre
shat De neither slavery involuntary serviude in any
OF the SAID States Ito DO found out of m other than
IN the punishment of crimes whereof the party shall
| have been duly convicted 1t received the unani-
nous vote ofihe eight States presents Massachusetts,
New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, North
CdTofind, South CGroliud and Georgia. Here was q
concession for the sake of harmony whereby slave
~ was excluded from aregion which has since been
| erected into several free States-territory which
| originally belonged to the South. Mr. jefferson S
plan looked TO the ordinance taking effect in 1900
| whereas this one put it into effect Immediately.
The same disposition was shown in abolishing the
African slave trade The sentiment of several of
these Northern States demanded that that trade
| should be stopped by Congress, and the question
was warmly discussed. The South, into which the
Africans were chiefly imported, and who was to be
benefited by their labor rather than endanger the
Union by an obstinate resistance to its abolition,
generousy co-operated in the measure. She even
was willing for the trade 10 be discontinued at once,
while the North, where most of the vessels engaged
in the trade were owned and employed, contended
for its extension tlcenty years longer.
A memorable instance of sacrifice on the part Of
the South was furnished by her acquieseence in the
60 Missouri Compromise" In 1917 the Assembly Of
Missouri applied to Congress for authority to frame
State Constitution, preliminary to admission into
the Union. This gave rise to fierce and strong de-
bate in Congress, which ragged for two years. threat
ening to tear the Union asunder. A powerful party
demanded that the new States should exclude slave
ry by their Constitutions. The Southern member:
rghtfully cOntended that the prohibition of slavery
in the case of Missouri, would place her un
equal footing with the other States-that Congress
had no right to prescribe the terms of admission
that the General Government possessed no consti
tutiOna right to interfere with the municipal policy
of State farther than necessary to carry intt
effect the powers expressly granted. The Treaty
too ceding Louisiana (which included Missouri) 4
the United States, expressly declared that the nhab
tants were to " be incorporated into the Union, anC
to be admitted, possible, according to thu
principles of the Constitution, to the enjoyment O
all the rights advantages and immunities of citizens
of the United States" An act finally agreed Il
granting permission to Missouri to organize Stat
Government and for her admission but while slave
~ should be recognized in Missouri it should not b,
in any other new State North of latitude 36 go Thu
South hadust cause for dissolution Of the Union bu
she submitted in order tG preserve it.
When the annexation of Texas was before Con
gress, the Souths devotion to the Union was put Il
, another test Texas had recognised slavery from
the establishment of the Republic, but as a portion
of her territory lay above SO go the North insisted
upon the application of the Missouri Compromis,
line. What yielded in the spirit of concession
by the South in special case to save the Union
/ was now urged as a right-the North claimed an FL
elusive share in that Territory, without any founda
ton for the claim other than the precedent furnish
ed in the case of the Missouri Restriction Inten
upon the best interests of the Union as always hither
to, the South agreed to the prohibition abov,
the Missouri line and added an empire to the coun
try.
In 1850 the South gave a new proof of her at
tachment to the Union, by submission to the cele
brated Z" Compromise Measure" This was her las
linked with it in The future if the same compromis
of her rights is involved. Through the applicable
of the principle of Squatter Sovereignty, Californi.
had called Convention, and formed State Consti
tuition, inhbiting slavery, and although in this ana
molous condition knocked for admission. The mos
intense excitement very naturally aroused a
the South. The President, and majority of Con
gress, insisted upon receiving her in this irregular
manner. Coupled with an act for her admission
was the measure abolishing the slave trade in tn,
District of Columbia, the entering wedge for tn,
abolition of the inter States slave trade. Thes,
finally adopted, and but for the conciliatory
disposition of the South, would have produced dis
solution of the Union. They contained palpabl,
violation of rights yet the South generously for
bore from extreme action. Her concessions anC
sacrifices at the behests of Northern fanatcism hav
preserved the Union, still without being met in tht
spirit or with that appreciation which they deserV
ed For the future, let her emphatic language, O.
all occasions be- "away with compromises and con
cessiOns. "-Aontgomery Adratiser.