The National tribune., 1900-10-25

In 1907 the Monroes returned TO their
home Ten years later Mr.. Monroe was
President of the United States
The Winter of 1SlS-19 the Territory of
Missouri applied for admission TO the
Union as a State. This made the Occa-
sion for a violent debate in Congress on
the veXed question of slavery. bill was
introduced in Congress containing Il pro
vision which forbade the existence of slav-
cry in Missouri when that Territory
should be constituted 4 State.
The debates began Feb. 10, 1919, in the
halls of Congress Hall, later Old Capitol
Prison. but i'll the following December.
when the 10th Congress came together, it
had taken possession of the new wings of
the Capitol which had been restored. The
Representatives Chamber was what the
Hall of Statuary is today, and the Senate
The battle of the giants was renewed. All
Washington, young and old. rich and poor,
white and black. went to listen.
The question was settled at last by
what is known as the Missouri Compro-
mise" by which slavery was TO be tOler-
ated in Missouri. but prohibited in all
other parts of the Union north and west of
the northern limits of Arkansas. Missouri
came into the siSterhoOd of States Aug. u,
1920.
jefferson did not approve Of the COM
promise. He did not believe in slavery.
Yet he saw no way to get rid of 1t. He
wanted no dissolution of the Union, and
did not believe in geographical demarca-
ton involving a different system Of poll
tics and morals. He feared that it would
gather force, and produce diStrust and
hatred until a separation would be better
than discord. How well he propheSied
the years have told.
During the Missouri discussion the
President and Vice-PreSident were re-
elected for another, term. The policy of
Monroe had been popular and his Ad-
ministration fairly successful. One act of
MonrOe'S was heartily received, that of
making provision by pension for the sur
viving officers and soldiers of the Revolt
ton. an act which was afterward extend
ed to include the widows and children of
those who had died, and another was our
right to share with England in the fish
cries of Newfoundland. 1t was during
this time that the boundary of the United
States towards Canada from the Lake of
the Woods to the Rocky Mountains was
defined.
Perhaps no act gave Mr. Monroe such
publicity as the part he took in what is
called the Monroe Doctrine Here again
We come upon some of the Side-lights in
history. Very early in this century
the progressive element of the people be
gan to consider the propriety of putting
an end to colonization on the western
hemisphere by the monarchies of the old
world. Henry Clay stood at the head of
this class of statesmen, and his earnest ap-
peals in favor of the recognition of the
independence of the Spanish colonies not
only fired the hearts of the people of this
country, but, being translated into Span
isb- were by the order of Boliver, the
Washington of South America, read TO his
armies, then striving for liberty, and We're
spread by newspapers and hand-bills
throughout all the struggling colonies of
Spain, to cheer them on in their fight for
independence.
1t is recorded that for a long time Presi-
dent Monroe took a very conservative
stand, and was pronounced in his opposi-
ton to the sentiment America for Ameri-
cans, and no more European colonization
and interference on the American Cont
nent." and was opposed to the recognition
of the independence of the Spanish colo
MES. He was not alone in this opposi-
ton, but his Cabinet were quite as con-
servative. John C. Calhoun, VIM. H
Crawford and William Writ were with the
President. Mr.. John Quincy Adams alone
favored it.
1t will be seen by reference to the rec
ords Of Congress that Mr.. Clay succeeded
by his matchlesS cloquence and persuasive
power in passing through the House in
February, 1921, a series of resolutions ex-
pressive Of the strong sympathy of the
people of the United States with the South
American patriots. and assuring the Presi-
dent Of the support Of the House in recog