Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-10-23
CONCESSIONS OF THE SOUTH FOR THE
SAKE OF THE UNION.

III U6lllHdtlUR ltb MAUI ~ lIo OIi uiiu iS
South respectively for the sake of the Union, the
facts of history preponderate in favor of our section
We are even sustained in asserting that The South
has made all the concessions, and at this time is the
only section that cherishes a true attachment 10 the
Union, and is seeking really TO perpetuste il. The
Black Republicans now in The ascendancy 10 most Of
the free States are disunionists, whose policy if a.
tempted by the Federal Government, would not be
submitted 10 by the South. Ia a fanatical crusade
against slavery. they have lost sight entirely of the
objects and value of the Union, aud in their lnsani.
ty theT are ready to 60 to any length ut degrading the
Southern States. The concessions OF the South, ad
incentive, to still further aggressiOns on our rights we
shall reserve for future discussion. To refer TO the
main concessions is the design OF the present article.
This conciliatory spirit of the South was plainly
exhibited, when she submitted to the celebrated Or.
dinance o. 1887. Nathan Dane, Of Massachusetts,
reported a bill for a government over what WAS
known a. the Northwest Territory, the most OF which
HAD been coded by Virginia upon the recommends.
| ton OF Congress-all Of it slave territory. This bill
embraced Mr.. Jefferson's anti. slavery ordinance pro.
poseG anu defeated in l7SI-iu the words, "there shall
Be neither siarery nor incOIuAtary servituds in any OF
the said Safes Ito be formed out Of i) other than in
the punishment of crimes whereof the party shall
have been duly convicted" 1t received the unsni.
mous vote of eight States present: Massachusetts,
New York, New Jersey, Dehardre, Virginia, North
Carolina. South Carolina and Georgia. Here vas d
conce-siontor the sake Of harmony, whereby slavery
was excluded IRON a region which has since been
erected into several free ~States-tcrritory which orr
ginally belonged to the South. Mr.. Jetferson's plan
looked to the ordinance taking effect in lSOO, where.
as this one put il into effect Immediately.
The sane 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 WIS
wram!y discussed. The South, into which the Afri.
cans were chiefly imported, and who was to be bene.
fitted by their labor, rather than endanger the Union
by all obstinate resistance to its abolition, generously
CO. operateG in the measure. She even was willing
for the trade to be discontinued at once. while the
North, where most of the vessels engaged in the trade
were owned and employed, contended for is exten-
sion t,ccnty years longer.
A memorable instance Of sacrifice on tho part of
the South, WAS furnished by her acquiescence in the
missouri Compromised" In 1877 the Assembly Of
Missouri applied to Congress for authority to frame a
State Constitutions, preliminary TO admission into the
Union. Thi. gave rise to a fierce and strong debate
in Congress, which ragged for Two years, threatening
to tear the Union asunder. powerful party demand
ed that the new States should exclude slavery by their
Constitutions. The Southern members rightfully con.
tended that the prohibition OF slavery in the case OF
Missouri, would place her on an unequal footing with
the other States-thet Congress had no right to pre-.
scribe the terms of admission-that the General Gov
eminent POSSESSED no constitutional right to interfere
with the inunicipa! policy of Il State, farther than was
necessary 10 carry into effect the power expressly
granted. Tbs Treaty, too. ceding Louisiana (Which
liGluucb Ill-sDulD " lIS SLIttu tnNCc SpASc ~
c!ared thai the inhabitants were 10 "be incorporated
into the Union, and 10 be admitted, as soon a. post
be, according TO the principles OF the Constitutional 10
the enjoyment ot all the rights, advantages ana I'M
munities of citizens of the United States" An acl
was finally agreed 10 granting permission to Missouri
10 organizs Il State Government and Tor her admls'
sion; but while slavery should be recognised IN Mis-
souri,, it should not be in any other new State North
OF latitude Be- so. The South had just cause for dis
solution Of the Union, out che submitted in order tc
Psese't s :,vuln uevouon 10 the Union was put ,c
another test. Texas had recognized slavery from the
establishment of the Republic, but as a portion of hel
territory lay above So 81, the North insisted upon the
application of the Missouri Compromise line. VIVA,
WAS yielded in the spirit Of concession by the South
in a special case to save the Union, WINS now urged
rs a rlght-the North claimed al exclusive share in
that Territory, without any foundation for the claim
other than the precedent furnished in the Gaze of the
Missouri Restriction. Intent upon the best interests
OF The Union as always hitherto, the South agreed to
the prohibition above the Missouri line and added an
empire TO the country.
In 1850 the South gave n new proof of hsr attach.
Inent to the Union, by the submission to the cele-
bra'ed "Compromise Measure This was her last
concession, and We trust that il will have no other
linked with II in the future, it the same compromise
OF her rights ia involved. Through the application
OF lhe principle of Squstter Sovereignty, California
had called a Convention, and formed a State Consti-
tuition, lnhibltiug slavery, and although in this snO.
inslous condition knocked for admission. The most
lntense excitement was very naturally aroused at the
South. The President, and a majority Of Congress,
insisted upon receiving her in this irregular manner.
Coupled with an act for her admission, WIS The inca.
sure abolishing the slave trade in the District of Co.
lumbia, the entering wedge for the abolition of the
inter States slave trade. These were finally adopt
ed, and but for the conciliatory disposition of the
South, would have produced a dissolution of the
Union. They contained a ~palpable violation of our
rights, yet The South generously forbore from ex.
treme action. Her concessions and sacrifices at the
behests Of Northern fansticism have preserved The
Union, still without being met in the spirit or with
that appreciation which they deserved. For the fu.
ture, let her emphatic language, on all occasions be,
away with compromises and concessions VI Mont.
gomery AircrtlSer.