The suggestions of Compromise were at this time vain: each party was determined.

The North, by the prevailing voice of its Representatives, claimed all for Freedom; the South, by its potential command of the Senate, claimed all for Slavery.

For the first time in our history, Freedom, after animated struggle, hand to hand, was kept in check by Slavery.

The original policy of our fathers in the restriction of Slavery was suspended, and this giant wrong threatened to stalk into all the broad national domain.

Through the press and at public meetings, an earnest voice was raised against the admission of Missouri into the Union without the restriction of Slavery.

Judges left the bench, and clergymen the pulpit, to swell the indignant protest which went up from good men without distinction of party or pursuit.

This early effort to interdict Slavery in the Territories by special law is worthy of notice on account of expressions of opinion it drew forth.

A generous voice from Virginia recognized at once the right and duty of Congress.

Smith, of Maryland, for many years an eminent Senator of that State, but at this time a Representative, while opposing the restriction of Missouri, vindicated the prohibition of Slavery in the Territories.

He considered the power of Congress over the Territory as supreme, unlimited, before its admission; that Congress could impose on its Territories any restriction it thought proper; and the people, when they settled therein, did so under a…

If citizens go into the Territory thus restricted, they cannot carry with them slaves.

The House was not disposed to abandon the substantial restriction of Slavery in Missouri for what seemed its unsubstantial prohibition in an unsettled territory.

And here, Sir, at the mention of this name, still so fragrant among us, let me for one moment stop this current of history, to express the honest admiration with which he inspires me.

If this bill should pass both Houses of Congress and become a law, I predict that in twelve months some negro will walk upon the floor of the Senate of the United States and carry his family into that gallery which is set apart for foreign…

If that is agreeable to the taste and feeling of the people of this country, it is not to mine; and I only say that I will not be responsible for any such act.

Lowndes died before my memory of political events, but he is still endeared by the self-abnegation of a single utterance,--that the Presidency is an office not to be sought or declined,--a sentiment which by its beauty, in one part at…

As the Compromise took its life from the South, so, in the judgment of its own statesmen at the time, and according to unquestionable facts, the South was the conquering party.

And now the South refuses to perform the part which it originally proposed and assumed in this transaction.

With the consideration in its pocket, it repudiates the bargain which it forced upon the country.

This action is final in regard to the supremacy of the Slave Power.

And, though disbelieving the original constitutionality of the arrangement, he was clearly right.

If there be any such in this Chamber,--and surely there is,--it will hesitate to take upon itself the stain of this transaction.

You are asked to destroy a safeguard of Freedom, consecrated by solemn compact, under which the country is reposing in the security of peace, and thus confirm the supremacy of Slavery.

President,--It is not only as an infraction of solemn compact, embodied in ancient law, that I oppose this bill; I arraign it as a flagrant and extravagant departure from the original policy of our fathers, consecrated by their lives…

Let us at all hazards prevent the extension of Slavery and the increase of the Slave Power.