Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-08

THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE AND
ITS REPEAL. BY William Archibold
Dixon Published by the Robert Clarke
Company, Cincinnati
This is a very valuable contribution to
the history of our country. Indeed, it is
one Of the most valuable which has ever
appeared. 1t covers the period of thirty
five years-1S19 to 1S5f-during which the
struggle between the Northern and South
ern States on the subject Of slavery cul-
minating few years after in the deter
mination Of the Southern States TO Sc
cede from the Union, with the civil war
as a consequence, is described. This
volume relates. as has never before
been related, the origin and progress Of
this memorable struggle in the councils
OF the nation, and is remarkable not alone
for its fulness, but for the fairness
of the narration. Speeches and state
ments Of the opposing parties are given
so that their positions cannot be mis-
taken. and the material facts of the me
morable struggle are fairly stated. The
political knowledge and strong grasp
Of the subject displayed are such that
ona can but wonder that the volume Is
written by a woman, and admire her
great intellectual gifts. The author Is
NJ the Bullitt family, Of Kentucky, and
the widow of the Hon. Archibold DixoA
who. as a senator from that State, moved
the repeal of what is known as the Mis-
souri, Compromise. His wife has per-
formed the pious duty Of vindicating his
action.
The volume commences with some ac-
count of African slavery in the American
Colonies. 1t points out the suitableness OF
the southern climate and industries, and
the unsuitableness Of the northern eli
mate and industries. to the African, re-
sulting in the shifting of that race from
the Northern to the Southern States. The
bargain between New England and Geor-
gia and South Carolina in the National
convention Of 1887 is related, whereby po-
litical mower in the Federal Government
was bought by the North, at price OF
the continuance of the slave TRACE Ior
twenty wears. The recognition and protec-
ton OF slavery in the Federal Constitu-
ton are then discussed, as shown by the
three-ffths representation Of slaves IN
the government, the provision for the re-
turn of fugitive slaves, and the allowance
Of the slave trade for twenty years IL
Is then shown that the Louisiana pur-
chase was the Pandora's box frOrA Whlch
came our troubles about slavery. 10y
the terms OF the treaty OF purchase the
enjoyment Of all the rights, adVantageS,
and immunities OF citizens or the ohl.eu
states were guaranteed TO the hhhapi-
tants Slavery existed among the inhapi-
tants Of the territory, and thus their
nronerty rights came under the protec-
- ~ the Federal Constitution. Yet
when Louisiana constituting a part or
tho territory. applied for admission INTO
tba Union In 1911, she met with violent
onnositiou from some OF the northern
members because she recognized slavery
In 1sS-1e Missouri, part OF the territory
IN which slavery existed, applied Tor Ter
ritorial government looking to Statehood.
A. once the northern members moved
amendments TO the bill, limiting the eA-
ietence OF slavery and providing for It's
gradual extinction In the proposed state.
This was in violation OF the provision ol
the Constitution, which authorizes the al
mission of new States on equai ioo',ns
with the original States All Oh the
or,sinai states had permitted slavery,
and when nrohibited II was by State ac-
zion ,rha effort now was 10 hamper the
new state. and thus not to admit her on
an eoual footing with the original States.
II was a violation also Of the condition
contained I'm the act OF cession heretofore
quoted. The northern opposition prevail
| ed in the House. which sent the Dill mus
| encumbered 10 the Senate, which BODY
struck out the anti-slayery sections. Vhs