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[212] it. This judicious action forced the admission of Missouri, but not until the South yielded to the Missouri compromise. Looking at the matter in the light of experience, we can now see what the Southern leaders of that day could not foresee. The wisest course for the South to have pursued would have been to offer an amendment to the Constitution, providing for the gradual abolition of slavery, the value of emancipated slaves to be paid by the United States. Such a proposition would have tested the sincerity of Northern philanthropy, and would either have produced a revulsion of Northern sentiment, or better still, might have averted the calamity and greater expense of the Confederate war. But at that time no such thought entered into the minds of the Southern leaders. The final result is well known. Our space does not permit us to follow the proceedings of Congress in detail.1 The amendment offered by Mr. Thomas, of Illinois, became the ultimate basis of compromise. Maine was admitted. The act enabling Missouri to form a constitution without restriction passed the House by a vote of 90 to 87, and the famous Compromise clause was enacted by a vote of 134 to 42. This compromise provides that in all portions of the Territory of Louisiana, lying north of 36° 30′ of latitude, slavery shall be forever prohibited, but fugitive slaves shall be restored to their owners. It follows closely the language of the ordinance of 1787. Upon this compromise being assured, the acts were separated, and the Maine bill became a law March 1, 1820. No further act of Congress being necessary, Maine became a State at once. Missouri was doomed to further trials. The enabling
1 The reader is referred to that invaluable work, Benton's Thirty Years, vol. 1, and to the able history of James Schouler, vols. 3 and 4 Mr. Schouler looks at the subject from a standpoint favorable to the abolition of slavery. While condemning the course of the Southern leaders, he gives valuable testimony to the fact that the movements tending to the acquisition of Texas came from the South.
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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