The fact has been brought to light that in the Territorial bill of 1850,
known as a part and parcel of the Compromise, there is a passage which contained
in the bill is to the conclusion that anything contained in the bill is to be
construed into an abrogation of the anti-Slavery clause of the Missouri
Compromise.
Douglas's bill would, therefore, leave the same prohibition in force, if
the honor and good faith of the pro-Slavery Judges and Governors who will be
appointed could be relied upon.
But it is sufficient that the attempt is made to set aside this long and
well established line of demarcation between Slavery and Freedom.
The Representatives of the North cannot, without dishonor and treachery to
their constituents, permit even a seeming abandonment of rights and interests
which have been conceded for the third of a century.
The Missouri Compromise should be reasserted in the Nebraska bill in the
most explicit language.
It should not be kept out of sight, as a thing of which we are ashamed,
and its very existence staked on time-serving judicial decisions.
With pro-Slavery Judges, pro-Slavery Governors, and pro-Slavery Marshals,
the introduction of Slavery under Douglas's bill would be a matter of course, so
far as it is consistent with the climate and soil of the territory.
This document was produced as part of a document analysis project by Lloyd Benson, Department of History, Furman University. (Proofing info: Entered by Ben Barnhill, Proofed by Ryan Burgess.) This electronic version may not be copied, or linked to, or otherwise used for commercial purposes, (including textbook or publication-related websites) without prior written permission. The views expressed in this document are for educational, historical, and scholarly use only, and are not intended to represent the views of the project contributors or Furman University.