in some
respects the most dangerous, phase of the question was yet to be
reached. After the enabling Act was passed, the Missouri Convention
assembled to frame a constitution for the new State. The inhabitants
of the Territory had become angered by the long delay imposed upon
them, caused, as they believed, by the introduction of a question
which concerned only themselves, and which Congress had no right
to control. In this resentful mood they were led by the extremists
of the convention to insert a provision in the constitution,
declaring that "it shall be the duty of the General Assembly, as
soon as may be, to pass such laws as may be necessary to prevent
free negroes or mulattoes from coming to or settling in this State
under any pretext whatever." As soon as the constitution with this
obnoxious clause was transmitted to Congress by the President, the
excitement broke forth with increased intensity and the lines of
the old controversy were at once re-formed.

The parliamentary struggle which ensued was bitter beyond precedent;
threats of dissolving the Union were frequent, and apprehension of
an impending calamity was felt throughout the country. The discussion
continued with unabated vigor and ardor until the middle of February,
and the Congress was to terminate on the ensuing fourth of March.
The House had twice refused to pass the bill admitting Missouri,
declaring that the objectionable clause in her organic law was not
only an insult to every State in which colored men were citizens,
but was in flat contradiction of that provision in the Federal
Constitution which declares that "the citizens of each State shall
be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of citizens in
the several States."

THE SECOND MISSOURI COMPROMISE.

The defeat, apparently final, of the admission of Missouri, created
intense indignation. Southern senators and representatives charged
that they were treated unjustly by the North, and dealt with unfairly
in Congress. In pursuance of the compromise of the year before,
Maine had been admitted and her senators were in their seats. The
organs of Southern opinion accused the North of overreaching the
South in securing, under the name of a compromise, the admission
of Maine, while still retaining the power to exclude Missouri. A
feeling that bad faith had been practiced is sure to create
bitterness, and the accusation of it produces inc