Introduction They organized a powerful anti-slavery movement and demanded slavery be abolished.In 1845,the acquisition of Texas and soon after,the territorial gains in the southwest resulting from the Mexican War, converted the moral question of slavery into a political issue. Should the new territories join the Union as slave states or free states?Senator Henry Clay,who twice before in times of crisis had come forward with compromise arrangements, 导言They organized a powerful anti-slavery movement and demanded slavery be abolished. In 1845, the acquisition of Texas and soon after, the territorial gains in the southwest resulting from the Mexican War, converted the moral question of slavery into a political issue. Should the new territories join the Union as slave states or free states? Senator Henry Clay, who twice before in times of crisis had come forward with compromise arrangements, Introduction 导言