Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-09-12
John BelI on slavery In the District OF OOlui
bIn.


John BelI on slavery In the District OF Column
bia.
The calumnies and Misrepresentation put aaoat by
the Observation-Disclosures orators and presses in regard
10 Mr. Bells sentiments and course the subject Of slave
~ in the strict Of Columbia eonsrain US 10 expose and
explode these miserable LocOfocO hsehoOds At once and
thoroughly With that view avail ourselves Of the
researches Of our contemporary Of the Columbia EHqn
y.r and invoke the special and deliberate attention Of
our readers Of an parties the exact position Of John
Bell on the question Of slavery in the District Of COam
bia which constitutes the main point Of attack on the
part Of the Iaucey- Breckenridge faction.
The Congress Of lS4g-5O met during period Of much
excitement throughout the country in reference to the
government or disposition Of the territory acquired from
Mexico. large portion Of the people of the North
we're apparently resolved to exclude slavery from the
whole OF t. while the people Of the South generally were
determined to oppose any such unjust exclusion OF the
citizens Of their section from domain acquired BY the
common blood and treasure Of both sections In this
safe Of eoaac, and excitement the conservative polti-
c.ns Of both the North and the South canvaSsed the
terms OF compromise which both could accept without
a surrender Of principle. Henry Clay vas the first to
come forward with propositions Of adjustment ncuir
the matters in dispute. On the 29h Of January 1850
ne offered his resolutions having down the basis Of eou'
promise and adjustment, as follows;
ls California to be admitted State With her per-
ding constitution.
"a Declaring as slavery does not exist BY law, and Is
not likely to be introduced into any Of the Territory az
ouired by the United States from MeIioo it is ineIpe-
dent for Congress to provide BY law for its introduction
or exclusion and Territorial governments should be
ts, 1r.v
81. Fixing the western boundary Of Texas.
Al. Proposing to purchase the disputed portion Of
Texas.
5tb Declaring inex7eiea, 20 abolish slavery in the
DistrS o, Columbia without the Of the people
Of Mar,hhd and Of the District, and wi.ho1. eompeusa
ton to the owners OF the slaves.
9th BIZ that {, was eIpeiiea. to prohibit the slave
trade IN the District.
5th. Requiring more stri1gcn, fugitive slave law
sb. Declaring that Congress has no power 70 pro
hibit the Slave trade between the Sates
NJ GAYS propositions were objected TO BY many
Southern men as coucedipg doubtful powers 10 Congress
aud not being comprehensive enough 10 effect fall and
6nal settlement Of the sEoe slavery question Among
those entertaining these objections was Mr. Bill, who
on the 2Sh February proposed general compromise o.
his own. the provisions Of which were these
lst Asserting on the part Of Congress to the Division
Of Texas and the admission Of is States without re
strcton as 70 slavery eEcep, such the resolutions Of
annexation imposed
"a Offering to purchase Of Texas that disputed part
Of her territory which had been the Of the val
with Mexico and providing that when this portion pos
sesssd population equal to the ratio Of representation
in Congress, and adopted a Republican Constitution 4
should be admitted as a State Of the Union eqla
footing with the other States; aud that in the meantiu
Congress should establish for il Territorial government
out without any restriction As to slavery"
a. The balance Of the territory acquired from NeH
co lEast California excepted be organized a neV
Territory without restriction as to slavery.
Ali California to be admitted State with her pend
ing Constitution.
9TH That in future the formation of State COnssta
lions BY the inhabitants Of the Territories Of the Unte'
States be regulated By law and that such Constitution
shall hereafter be formed or adopted by the inhabant
Of any Territory belonging to the United States Wi'hOu
he consent and authority Of Congress
s.b. That the inhabitants of any Territory of tn
United States, Ehsn they shall be authorized BY Coz
Rress 70 form State Constitution shall have she sole an'
exclusive power 70 regulate and adjust all questions
internal State policy Of Whatever nature they may be
controlled only BY The restrictions imposed BY the con
sdtuion ofthe United States"
THE adoption Of these two last propositions Wou'
have provided for the future case Of Kansas in wa
precisely sui.ng the demands Of the South, and wou
ave avoided al the troubles and mischief which hav
arisen from the legislation respecting tia, Territory
twill be seen that Mr.. Bells proposed cOmPromis'
did not Interfere in any way wish slavery, or he sau
trade, in the District Of Columbia
Both Mr.. Claws and Mr. Bells series Of resolution
we're referred 70 Committee Of Thirteen Of which bod
those geatemeu we're made members; and on the ssh
Nav, Mr. Cay a. chairman Of the committee, reporte
the general Compounds bill embracing nearly all Of h
original propositions, but instead Of he dechra'ory pol
icy entertained in bis % resolution providing Tor The e
Enlistment Of Territorial governments for Utah an
New Mexico without restriction as to slavery.
This Compromise bill was debated at much length
the Senats-Mr. Bel, among Others, Objectios that
did provide for all present and probable future dill
ference between the North aud the South on the SLAYER
question /, was finally 50 smascuated by striking on
provisions one after another that nothing was lefe Of
buths sections establishing Territorial government 70
Uah in which shape passed the Senate on the slss
July, Mr. Bell voting against IT,
subsequently separate bilsWere passed by the Hous'
and sent to the Senate embracing all the proposition
contained in the report Of the Committee Of Thr.eer
and they all passed both Houses.
While the bill 70 abolish the slass trad in the Dis,ric
VAS before The Senate, Mr. Seward the 10Th Of Ser
TENDER 1850, offered he following substitute
SEc. l. Slavery shall forever within the Disiric
Of Columbia, and all persons held in bondage therel
shall be free. The Secretary Of the Interior shall aud
and pay 70 al persons holding slaves within the Dstric
AZ the time that the act takes effect such damages
they shall suer BY the passage thereof and the sum
tEO hundred thousand doars IS hereby appropriated
carry this ael into execution out Of any money in th
Treasury not otherwise Appropriated. ..-
Sec Am election shall be held in the District ofCS
laala 70 ascertain whether this bill is approved By Oh
people thereof Those who approve the act shall expsei
their appsobatOn BY ballot containing the words, re
smAncipation in the District Those who oppose
shall vote BY ballot containing the words, .Againl
snADcipltiOn in the District" All persons entitled
vote for any municipal Olhcern the District and az cit
aans Of The United States residing within the District po
manentY shall b deemed QuahedtO vote ~ Eaeh tle
tiOn Sch election shall be held within siK nonths ara
the passage Of this act and public notice Of not l
tAas thFSs months, 70 be given By the Marshal Of a