states to the laboring class of their white population. But whom of that class have they ever railed to fill stations of any considerable responsibility? When have we seen a representative on this door from that section of our Union who was not a slaveholder? Who but slaveholders are elected to their state legislatures? Who but they are appointed to fill their executive or judicial offices? I appeal to gentlemen whether the selection of one who labors with his own hands, however well educated, would not be considered an extraordinary event? For this I do not reproach my brethren of the south. They doubtless choose those to represent them in whom they most confide, and far be it from me to intimate that their confidence is ever misplaced. But my objection is to the introduction of a system which can not but produce the effect of rendering labor disgraceful."
The clause proposing that slaves born in the territory after the passage of the act shall be free at twenty-five years of age, was carried, February 17, by a vote of 15 yeas to 73 nays. The clause providing against the farther introduction of slaves into the territory was lost by a vote of 70 yeas to 71 nays. On the next day, however, the clause adopted was stricken out, and the bill finally passed without any allusion to slavery. When the bill reached the senate, Roberts, of Pennsylvania, moved to insert a prohibition of slavery, which failed by a vote of 19 to 14. Arkansas became a slave territory and ultimately a slave state in 1836.
The discussions in congress on the extension of slavery beyond the Mississippi aroused the anti-slavery sentiment of the north. Public meetings were held in Trenton, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Salem, and other northern cities and towns, democrats and federalists coöperating, and committees were appointed to address the people. The state legislatures freely expressed their opinions. Pennsylvania made a solemn appeal to the states "to refuse to covenant with crime," and by a declaration that it was the duty as well as the right of congress to prohibit slavery west of the Mississippi. New Jersey and Delaware followed, both also unanimously. New York, Ohio, and Indiana indorsed the same doctrine. The New England legislatures remained silent, but memorials were sent to congress from towns and cities in favor of freedom. Virginia, Kentucky, and Maryland were as earnest on the other side. The city of Baltimore, however, memorialized congress against the extension of slavery, at a meeting over which the mayor presided.
At a meeting of the citizens of Boston and vicinity, held at the state house, in December, 1819, a vote was passed to memorialize congress on the subject of "restraining the increase of slavery in new states to be admitted into the Union." In pursuance of the vote the following memorial, drawn up by Daniel Webster, was presented to congress:
"To the senate and house of representatives of the United States in congress assembled:
"The undersigned, inhabitants of Boston and its vicinity, beg leave most respectfully and humbly to represent: that the question of the introduction of slavery into the new states to be formed on the west side of the Mississippi
