The Arkansas Advocate

The following is an extract from the communication of a writer in the last Times, signed Arkansas, against State Government:

I asserted that the Missouri Question could never recur in the councils of the confederacy—that, although, on the admission of that State into the Union, a strenuous effort had been made to prohibit the existence of "involuntary servitude" within its limits; yet, that this effort had failed in its object, and resulted in what was called a "compromise." This appellation was allowed to an act which certainly bore nothing of the character of a compromise, though dignified with the name; for the patriot and democratic portion of both Houses united in the cause as one of common interests, without regard to sectional feelings and opinions, and succeeded to the utmost extent of their wishes.

Gordon gives it in these words:

"In all that territory ceded by France to the United States, under the name of Louisiana, which lies north of thirty-six degrees thirty minutes north latitude, not included within the limits of the State of Missouri, slavery and involuntary servitude, otherwise than in punishment of crimes, whereof the parties shall have been duly convicted, shall be, and is hereby, FOREVER PROHIBITED."

Here is a distinct, formal and unequivocal recognition of the right, to hold slaves, in Missouri, and all that portion of what was formerly Louisiana, lying South of 36 1-2 degrees of North latitude. This, it will be recollected, forms the northern boundary line of the Territory of Arkansas. Our rights are here not only admitted but guaranteed and secured to us by the most sacred and solemn pledge or compact, which must and will remain inviolate, until we, voluntarily, withdraw from it and yield up our rights.

Now, in the name of common sense, how are our rights "admitted, guaranteed and secured to us," in the above quotation from Gordon! Slavery is positively prohibited north of a certain line—does that guarantee its admission south of that line! The United States ceded Lovely county to the Cherokees—was that cession a guarantee that the county of Crawford should not thereafter be ceded! "Slavery shall not exist in Delaware"—is that saving, slavery shall always exist in Maryland! Because the northern States gained all north of 36 deg. 30m. does it prove that they are never to take another slice? It is a "compact," to be sure, but it is a one-sided compact. It leaves us just as we were, until Congress see fit to extend the prohibition to us.