Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-08-17
soHN BELL:
PAST HISTORY CONNECTED WITH
THE PUBLIC SERVICE"

A CONTINUANCE OF HIS SLAVERY RECORD.
We have seen how persistently Mr.. BELL cooper
ated with ADAMS, SIADE. CoRwS, TRUMAN SMITH,
SA1roNsrAI1 & Co., from the time that he abandoned
the Democratic party and struck hands with the
Northern Federasts, until the close of his service
IN the lOwer-house in Congress which took place in
1s4l-voting with them in almost every instance,
or giving them an indirect support by dodging the
vote, with the hope of serving their purposes, and
at the same time essenirg his responsibility thOme.
Let us follow him up and see how his subsequent
course in the Senate which he entered in December,
Is47 ITALICS with this previous record in the House
Let US also observe in conclusion what judgmeahas
been passed upon his conduct by those he favored
the Abolitionists, and by those he betrayed, even
members of hisown party in the South.
In the summer Of 1913 the subject of organizing
territorial governments for the people OF Oregon,
California and New Mexico came up for Congress
sioual action and was the occasion of much excite
ment The Federal Abolitionsts of the North I'M
der the lead of such men as CoEwN, HLNnN and
Hale were determined to expel slavery from those
territories by the passage OF the Himot ProvlsO.
The heat and feeling engendered in debate and which
extended throughout the country, threatened the
peace of and endangered the Union. In a spirit of
Senate composed of its abes and best men, to whom
were referred all matters connected with this ques
ton, coupled with the duty of reporting bill that
would settle the question on just and amcabe terms
July the 18th, the Chairman, Mr.. CLAYTON, of Della
ware made his report stating the great difficulty they
had encountered in agreeing UPON something that
would likely harmonic conflicting views and feel
ngs Finally he SAID, "all compromise seemed to be
impossible but the committee proceeded afterwards
to consider proposition to endeavor to adjust the
great question least far to enable Congress
to extend the laws and provide for the admin
straon of justice the Territories leaving for the
present the settlement of it to the laws of popula
ton or to the adaptation of soil climate and all
circumstances to the various kinds Of labor y
without the power to legislate on the subject of
slavery; thus placing that question beyond the
power Of the Territorial Legislature, and vesting
the right to introduce or prohibit slavery in these
two Territories The Constitution AS THE SAME SHOULD
RE ExPoUSDED By THE JUDGES, with a right of appeal
to the Supreme Court of the United States. 1t was
thought that by this Congress would avoid
the decision of this dstrActing question leaving it
to be settled by the silent operation Of the Consttu
ton itself and upon this policy all the committee
finally agreed with great unanImity and authorized
the report of bill in accordance herewith to the
Senate Mr.. CLAYTON further remarked:
Il not expect sir that this or any other PROPOSE
ton which the will OF man possibly suggest will
prevent agitation this subject which daily
spreading through the country, and, fear dividing
the country into geographical parties" They (the
Aboli.ionsts will yitate after the passage of any
bill But tins bill resolves the whole question be-
tween the North and the South into Constitutional
and Judicial question. Il only asks OF men OF all
sections TO stand by the Constitution and suffer that
t. settle the difference by its tranquil operation
If the Constitution settles the question either way
let those who rail at the decision vent their indgna
ton against their ancestors who adopted II The 1
bill leaves the entire question which is IN dispute to
the judiciary. There Is no great principle sacra /
feed A1lg man tcko desires diSc0rd SciH oppose the
tjL But he who does not desire to distract the |
country by question merely political, viii be able
by VOTING tor this bill to refer the whole matter TO
the Judiciary
The bill was satisfactory to the South. 1t guaran-
tied her her constitutional rights in the Territories,
and left what those rights to be settled by the
Supreme Court Even Nr CALHOUN was ready to
compromise upon this just settlement, and in reply
to an argument that the Federal Constitution did not
apply to the Territories he said:
Sir, there are some questions that do not admit
OF lehgthened discussion. This IS of them. The
mere statement Is sufficient to carry conviction with
it and am rejoiced 10 hear gentlemen aelnowl-
edge, by implication. If not by more than that that
the extension OF the Constitution the United States
10 the Territories would be a shield to the South |
upon the question IN controversy between lis and
them. hold II TO be a most important concession
Ii narrOws the ground Of controversy between ns 4
We then cannot be deprived OF our equal particina
ton in those territories without being lenrivad Of
the advantages and rights which the constitution
gives us"
The Hen. DANIEL S Dickinson Of New York in
recent speech makes the following statement in rpf
erence to this bill:
In IS4S, Mr.. Calhoun myself. and Others. varo
upon the committee charged with bill known a.
the Cls yton Compromise / proposed. and Mr. cal ,
houn assented that the bill should be framed upon
the principle of nonneryenuon, ard it was so
ed and SO passed the Senate, bnt was near the close
of the session. laid the table in the House of Rep
resentatiyes The only difference between Mr.. Cal.
houn and myself upon the subject then or at any
other time was this be proposed that the bill should
recognize in declaratory FORM the right Of the cit
lzens of all the States 10 go 10 the common Terrific
Iies with their property slave property included and
there be protected Without affirming or denying his
position proposed as it was anunsettledquestion.
and strictly belonged the judiciary to leave it to
be decided by the Courts to which he reAoiiy as
sented remarking hat ne Solah had such eRi'fe con
tdence Ia de position that they oeTe milling % stda'd
upon non Intervention and draa Judicial construction
Of DE Constitution d1d Of her rights IN the Territories
The position Of Mr. Calhoun has since been fully
y, ~ o.l ..olslay is..s aass