Politics and Public Service Congressional Cast of Characters The Compromise of 1850
The initial impetus for the Compromise of 1850 came from the old guard in the Senate, but much of the hard bargaining was undertaken by less prominent figures, including:
Henry Clay of Kentucky—who was, at 72 years of age, near the end of his illustrious career and had finally rid himself of presidential ambitions. He introduced an omnibus bill that lumped all parts of the compromise into a single measure.
Daniel Webster of Massachusetts—who saved one of his greatest orations until the twilight of his career, expressing the opinion that the maintenance of the Union was more important than the injustices caused by an unpopular piece of legislation (the Fugitive Slave Act). Webster's support of a strong federal role in returning runaway slaves cost him much support in the North.
William H. Seward of New York—who had recently come to the Senate from a distinguished career in state politics and invoked a “higher law” than the Constitution in his arguments against slavery
John C. Calhoun of South Carolina—who was dying of throat cancer, but managed to supply the philosophical framework for the Southern position. His repeated plea was for the North to stop attacking the South and the institution of slavery.
James Murray Mann of Virginia—who spoke on behalf of the ailing Calhoun.
Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois—who secured passage of the compromise by breaking it into segments that could gain majority approval, one by one.
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Compromise of 1850 ... the United States Government) Compromise of 1850 (A Dictionary of World History) Compromise of 1850 (The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military) Compromise of 1850 (World Encyclopedia) SOUTHERNERS AGAINST SECESSION: THCompromise of 1850 (A Dictionary of World History) Compromise of 1850 (The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military) Compromise of 1850 (World Encyclopedia) SOUTHERNERS AGAINST SECESSION: THCompromise of 1850 (The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military) Compromise of 1850 (World Encyclopedia) SOUTHERNERS AGAINST SECESSION: THCompromise of 1850 (World Encyclopedia) SOUTHERNERS AGAINST SECESSION: THE ARGUMENTS OF ... http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0813116.html
The Compromise of 1850 In this compromise Northern California entered the Union as a free state. The Compromise of 1850 added some new laws. Buying and selling slaves in Washington, D.C. was outlawed. The people living in Washington, D.C. could still oCompromise of 1850 added some new laws. Buying and selling slaves in Washington, D.C. was outlawed. The people living in Washington, D.C. could still own slaves, but ... http://www.mce.k12tn.net/civil_war/compromise_of_1850.htm
Compromise of 1850 ... free state, the Fugitive Slave Act was passed.Of all the bills that made up the Compromise of 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act was the most controversial. It required citizens to assist in the recovery of fugitive slaves. It denieCompromise of 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act was the most controversial. It required citizens to assist in the recovery of fugitive slaves. It denied a fugitive's ... http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2951.html
