Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-01-04
s p e r G II
OF
M R. G RI I 7 + n D E n
OF KENTUCKY,
On his proposed Compromise cfthe SlauerJ
Question.
Ix SENATE, TUESDAY, Dec, IS, 1860.

IS SENATE, TUESDAY, Dec. 49, 1860.
dent, to see in the various propositions which have
been made such universal anxiety to saTe the
country from the dangerous dissensons which new
prevail; and have, under very serious view and
without the least ambitious feeling whatever con-
nected with it, prepared series Of constitutional
amendments, which desire to offer to the Senate,
hoping that they may form, in part at least, some
basis for that may settle the controverted
questions which now so much agitate our country.
Certainly, sir, do not propose now any elaborate
discussion of the subject Before presenting these
resolutions, however, to the Senate desire to make
Il Few remarks explanatory 10 them that the Senate
mny understand their general scope.
The questions Of an alarming character are these
which have grown out of the controversy between
the Northern and Southern sections of our country
in relation to the rights Of the save-hodng States
in the Territories of the United States, and in re-
lation TO the rights of the citizens Of the latter in
their slaves ] have endeavored by these resolu-
tions TO meet all these questions and causes of DIS
content, aud by amendments TO the Constitution OF
Of the United States, so that the settlement if we
can happily agree on any, may be permanent and
leave no cause for future controversy These reso-
lutons propose then, in the first place in substance
the restoration of the Missouri Compromise, extend
ing the line throughout the Territories of the Uni
ted states 10 the Eastern border OF CALIFORNIA, rccOg
nzing slavery in all the territory South of that line
and prohibiting slavery in all the territory North Of
it with provision, however, that when any Of
these Territories North South, are formed into
States they shall then be at liberty to exclude ol
admit slavery as they please; and that, in the one
case the other, it shall be objection TO thei
admission into the Union In this way, sir, pro
pose to settle the question, both TO territory anC
slavery far as it regards the Territories of th'
United States. propose, sir also, that the CoRsti
tuition shall be so amended as to declare that con
gress shall have no power to abolish slavery in th'
District Of Columbia so long slavery exists in thu
States of Maryland and Virginia and that the,
shall have no power TO abolish slavery in any
the places under their special jurisdiction within th
Southern States.
These are the constitutional amendments which
propose, and embrace the whole of them in regar,
to the questions of territory and slavery. Their
other propositions in relation to grievances
| in relation TO controversies, which | suppose ar
within the jurisdiction of Congress, and may be re
moved by the action OF Congress. propose in re
gard 10 legislative action, that the fugitive slay
law, as it is commonly called, shall be declared b.
the Senate to be constitutional act, in strict pur
suance Of the Constitution propose TO declar
that ii has been decided by the Supreme Court G
the United States To be constitutional, and that tn
Southern States are entitled to faithful and com
plete execution Of that law, and that 10 amendmen
shall be made hereafter to il which WIN impair il
leihcicncy. But thinking that il would not impsi
iis efficiency ! have Prai07cd amendments 10 Il b