the right of Congress to prohibit slavery passed with an amendment incorporating in a Territory, or to pass any law which into it the anti-slavery clause of the ordiwould have the effect to deprive the citi-nance of 1787. Mr. Calhoun, in the Senzens of any slave State from emigrating ate, declared that the exclusion of slavery with his property (slaves) into such Terri- from any territory was a subversion of the tory. The introduction of the resolutions Union; openly proclaimed the strife bewas prefaced by an elaborate speech by tween the North and South to be ended, Mr. Calhoun, who demanded an immediate and the separation of the States accomvote upon them. They never came to a plished. His speech was an open invocavote; they were evidently introduced for tion to disunion, and from that time forth, the mere purpose of carrying a question to the efforts were regular to obtain a meetthe slave States on which they could be ing of the members from the slave States, formed into a unit against the free States; to unite in a call for a convention of the and so began the agitation which finally slave States to redress themselves. He led to the abrogation of the Missouri Com-said: "The great strife between the North promise line, and arrayed the States of one and the South is ended. The North is section against those of the other. determined to exclude the property of the The Thirtieth Congress, which assem-slaveholder, and, of course, the slaveholder bled for its first session in December, 1847, himself, from its territory. On this point was found, so far as respects the House of there seems to be no division in the North Representatives, to be politically adverse In the South, he regretted to say, there to the administration. The Whigs were in the majority, and elected the Speaker; Robert C. Winthrop, of Massachusetts, being chosen. The President's message contained a full report of the progress of the war with Mexico; the success of the American arms in that conflict; the victory of Cerro Gordo, and the capture of the City of Mexico; and that negotiations were then pending for a treaty of peace. The message concluded with a reference to the excellent results from the independent treasury system.

was some division of sentiment. The effect of this determination of the North was to convert all the Southern population into slaves; and he would never consent to entail that disgrace on his posterity. He denounced any Southern man who would not take the same course. Gentlemen were greatly mistaken if they supposed the Presidential question in the South would override this more important one. The separation of the North and the South is completed. The South has now a most solemn obligation to perform-to herself to the constitution-to the Union. She is bound to come to a decision not to permit this to go on any further, but to show that, dearly as she prizes the Union, there are questions which she regards as of greater importance than the Union. This is not a question of territorial government, but a question involving the continuance of the Union." The President,

The war with Mexico was ended by the signing of a treaty of peace, in February, 1848, by the terms of which New Mexico and Upper California were ceded to the United States, and the lower Rio Grande, from its mouth to El Paso, taken for the boundary of Texas. For the territory thus acquired, the United States agreed to pay to Mexico the sum of fifteen million dollars, in five annual installments; and be-in approving the Oregon bill, took occasides that, assumed the claims of Ameri- sion to send in a special message, pointcan citizens against Mexico, limited to ing out the danger to the Union from the three and a quarter million dollars, out of progress of the slavery agitation, and urged and on account of which claims the war an adherence to the principles of the ordiostensibly originated. The victories achiev-nance of 1787-the terms of the Missouri ed by the American commanders, Generals compromise of 1820-as also that involved Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott, during and declared in the Texas case in 1845, as that war, won for them national reputa- the means of averting that danger. tions, by means of which they were brought prominently forward for the Presidential succession.

The Presidential election of 1848 was coming on. The Democratic convention met in Baltimore in May of that year; The question of the power of Congress to each State being represented in the conlegislate on the subject of slavery in the vention by the number of delegates equal Territories, was again raised, at this session, to the number of electoral votes it was enon the bill for the establishment of the titled to; saving only New York, which Oregon territorial government. An amend- sent two sets of delegates, and both were ment was offered to insert a provision for excluded. The delegates were, for the the extension of the Missouri compromise most part, members of Congress and office. line to the Pacific Ocean; which line thus holders. The two-thirds rule, adopted by extended was intended by the amendment the previous convention, was again made to be permanent, and to apply to all future a law of the convention. The main questerritories established in the West. This tion which arose upon the formation of amendment was lost, but the bill was finally the platform for the campaign, was the

doctrine advanced by the Southern mem-tually that the money of the Constitution bers of non-interference with slavery in-gold and silver-was the only currency the States or in the Territories. The can- to ensure a successful financial working of didates of the party were, Lewis Cass, of the government, and prosperity to the peoMichigan, for President, and General Wm. ple. O. Butler, of Kentucky, for Vice-President.

The Whig convention, taking advantage of the popularity of Genl. Zachary Taylor, for his military achievements in the Mexican war, then just ended; and his consequent availability as a candidate, nominated him for the Presidency, over Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster and General Scott, who were his competitors before the convention. Millard Fillmore was selected as the Vicepresidential candidate.

The new President, General Zachary Taylor, was inaugurated March 4, 1849. The Senate being convened, as usual, in extra session, for the purpose, the Vice President elect, Millard Fillmore, was duly installed; and the Whig cabinet officers nominated by the President, promptly confirmed. An additional member of the Cabinet was appointed by this administration to preside over the new "Home Department" since called the "Interior," created at the previous session of Congress.

A third convention was held, consisting of the disaffected Democrats from New The following December Congress met York who had been excluded from the in regular session-the 31st since the orBaltimore convention. They met at Utica, ganization of the federal government. New York, and nominated Martin Van The Senate consisted of sixty members, Bnren for President, and Charles Francis among whom were Mr. Webster, Mr. CalAdams for Vice President. The princi- houn, and Mr. Clay, who had returned to ples of its platform, were, that Congress public life. The House had 230 members; should abolish slavery wherever it consti- and although the whigs had a small matutionally had the power to do so-[which jority, the House was so divided on the was intended to apply to the District of slavery question in its various phases, Columbia]-that it should not interfere that the election for Speaker resulted in with it in the slave States-and that it the choice of the Democratic candidate, should prohibit it in the Territories. This party became known as "Free-soilers," from their doctrines thus enumerated, and their party cry of "free-soil, free-speech, free-labor, free-men." The result of the election, as might have been foreseen, was to lose New York State to the Baltimore candidate, and give it to the whigs, who were triumphant in the reception of 163 electoral votes for their candidates, against 127 for the democrats; and none for the free-soilers.

Mr. Cobb, of Georgia, by a majority of three votes. The annual message of the President plainly showed that he comprehended the dangers to the Union from a continuance of sectional feeling on the slavery question, and he averred his determination to stand by the Union to the full extent of his obligations and powers. At the previous session Congress had spent six months in endeavoring to frame a satisfactory bill providing territorial governments for California and New Mexico, The last message of President Polk, in and had adjourned finally without accomDecember following, gave him the oppor- plishing it, in consequence of inability to tunity to again urge upon Congress the agree upon whether the Missouri compronecessity for some measure to quiet the mise line should be carried to the ocean, slavery agitation, and he recommended or the territories be permitted to remain the extension of the Missouri compromise as they were slavery prohibited under line to the Pacific Ocean, passing through the laws of Mexico. Mr. Calhoun brought the new Territories of California and New forward, in the debate, a new doctrine-Mexico, as a fair adjustment, to meet as extending the Constitution to the territory, far as possible the views of all parties. and arguing that as that instrument recogThe President referred also to the state of nized the existence of slavery, the settlers the finances; the excellent condition of in such territory should be permitted to the public treasury; government loans, hold their slave property taken there, and commanding a high premium; gold and be protected. Mr. Webster's answer to silver the established currency; and the this was that the Constitution was made business interests of the country in a pros- for States, not territories; that it cannot perous condition. And this was the state operate anywhere, not even in the States of affairs, only one year after emergency for which it was made, without acts of from a foreign war. It would be unfair Congress to enforce it. The proposed exnot to give credit to the President and to tension of the constitution to territories, Senator Benton and others equally promi- with a view to its transportation of slavery nent and courageous, who at that time had along with it, was futile and nugatory to battle against the bank theory and without the act of Congress to vitalize national paper money currency, as strongly slavery under it. The early part of the nrged and advocated, and to prove even-year had witnessed ominous movements—

doctrine advanced by the Southern mem-tually that the money of the bers of non-interference with slavery in -gold and silver-was the the States or in the Territories. The can- to ensure a successful finan didates of the party were, Lewis Cass, of the government, and prosp Michigan, for President, and General Wm. O. Butler, of Kentucky, for Vice-President.

The Whig convention, taking advantage of the popularity of Genl. Zachary Taylor, for his military achievements in the Mexican war, then just ended; and his consequent availability as a candidate, nominated him for the Presidency, over Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster and General Scott, who were his competitors before the convention. Millard Fillmore was selected as the Vicepresidential candidate.

A third convention was held, consisting of the disaffected Democrats from New The following York who had been excluded from the in regular sess Baltimore convention. They met at Utica, ganization of New York, and nominated Martin Van The Senate Bnren for President, and Charles Francis among whom Adams for Vice President. The princi- houn, and ples of its platform, were, that Congress public life. should abolish slavery wherever it consti- and altho tutionally had the power to do so-[which jority, the was intended to apply to the District of slavery Columbia]-that it should not interfere that the with it in the slave States-and that it the ch should prohibit it in the Territories. This Mr. C X party became known as "Free-soilers," three from their doctrines thus enumerated, and Presi their party cry of "free-soil, free-speech, hend free-labor, free-men." The result of the cont election, as might have been foreseen, was sla to lose New York State to the Baltimore m candidate, and give it to the whigs, who e were triumphant in the reception of 163 electoral votes for their candidates, against 127 for the democrats; and none for the free-soilers.

The last message of President Polk, in December following, gave him the oppor tunity to again urge upon Congress t necessity for some measure to quiet slavery agitation, and he recommen the extension of the Missouri compro line to the Pacific Ocean, passing thr the new Territories of California and Mexico, as a fair adjustment, to m far as possible the views of all The President referred also to the the finances; the excellent cond the public treasury; governm commanding a high premium silver the established currency business interests of the count perous condition. And this of affairs, only one year aft from a foreign war. It wou not to give credit to the Pr Senator Benton and others nent and courageous, who to battle against the national paper money c urged and advocated,

y of the United States at the option

r.

v, said: "Coming from

10, I owe it to myself, I I owe it to the subject, to hly power could induce me specific measure for the ini slavery where it had not bei, either south or north of that * If the citizens of those es choose to establish slavery, and come here with constitutions esing slavery, I am for admitting with such provisions in their constitions; but then it will be their own work, and not ours, and their posterity will have to reproach them, and not us, for forming constitutions allowing the institu- tion of slavery to exist among them."

Mr. Seward of New York, proposed a all renewal of the Wilmot Proviso, in the foland lowing resolution: "Neither slavery nor ques-involuntary servitude, otherwise than by sion in- conviction for crime, shall ever be allowed

which in either of said territories of Utah and her of the New Mexico;" but his resolution was redar, provid-jected in the Senate by a vote of 23 yeas to ifornia-the 33 nays. Following this, Mr. Calhoun tah and New had read for him in the Senate, by his the Texas boun- friend James M. Mason of Virginia, his net of Columbia last speech. It embodied the points covsave law. It was ered by the address to the people, preopposed by many, pared by him the previous year; the probto the spirit of dis- ability of a dissolution of the Union, and under threat of se-presenting a case to justify it. The tenor to become the source of the speech is shown by the following exhis than it proposed to tracts from it: "I have, Senators, believed from the first, that the agitation of the subns were referred to a special ject of slavery would, if not prevented by promptly reported a bill some timely and effective measure, end in comprehensive plan of com- disunion. Entertaining this opinion, I Ch Mr. Clay proposed. Among have, on all proper occasions, endeavored to Sons offered, was the following: call the attention of each of the two great that as slavery does not exist parties which divide the country to adopt is not likely to be introduced some measure to prevent so great a disasof the territory acquired by the ter, but without success. The agitation has States from the Republic of Mexi- been permitted to proceed, with almost no it is inexpedient for Congress to pro- attempt to resist it, until it has reached a by law either for its introduction into period when it can no longer be disguised r exclusion from any part of the said ter- or denied that the Union is in danger. ritory; and that appropriate territorial You have had forced upon you the greatgovernments ought to be established by est and gravest question that can ever Congress in all of the said territory, and come under your consideration: How can assigned as the boundaries of the proposed the Union be preserved? * State of California, without the adoption Instead of being weaker, all the elements of any restriction or condition on the sub-in favor of agitation are stronger now than ject of slavery." Mr. Jefferson Davis of Mississippi, objected that the measure gave nothing to the South in the settlement of the question; and he required the extension of the Missouri compromise line to the Pacific Ocean as the least that he would be willing to take, with the specific recognition of the right to hold slaves in the territory below that line; and that, before such territories are admitted into the Union as States, slaves may be taken there

* * * *

they were in 1835, when it first commenced, while all the elements of influence on the part of the South are weaker. Unless something decisive is done, I again ask what is to stop this agitation, before the great and final object at which it aimsthe abolition of slavery in the States-is consummated? Is it, then, not certain that if something decisive is not now done to arrest it, the South will be forced to choose between abolition and secession? Indeed