The Madisonian. (Canton, Miss.) 1850-1855, 1850-07-11
THE ONLY COMPROMISE

the compromise proposed by the commit
tee Of thirteen is The best we can get, and
they ask, why should we oppose iH
In this opinion are contained ideas both
false and humiliating. In the first place
il implies that we have to make a compro-
mise, and in the second place, that know
ing this, we have by all this uproar, been
haggling to get as good a one as possible.
This may be the opinion of some men up
on the present question, but il is not the
subject upon which the south has been
heretofore acting.
As to the obligation 70 make q connpro-
mise, we conceive that Che reverse fsgthe.
csse,--that the Nashville convention as
sembled to declare the rights OF the south
and that the obligation to make a settle
meht Of differences, is on the part Of the
North. we are borne out Of this opinion
BY the fact that we have nothing to COM
promise but honor--nothing to settle but
our course Of action on being asked and
urged to compromise that. We ask, we
have asked, for nothing but to be recog-
nlzed 10 all rights growing out Of the adj
ADMINISTRATION Of the federal government, as
the equals to the northern States; to COM
promise this is to give up our all and 10
gain nothing but ruln,--consequenllY, we
do not have to make a compromise
We declare, that there Is nj obligation
resting upon US, moral Or physical, to make
a compromise, but on the contrary we are
led BY all such causes TO conclude that such
a course would be highly inaxpedient and
disgraceful. We base this upon the fol-
lowing proposition, which we think will
not be disputed. 1t is a matter 10 bee gov
erned by present circumstances, whether
a mere isolated question of right in a par.
ticular object or subject shall be compro-
missed, but it is a course strictly 10 be adj
hered to, to compromise a principle, which
having its foundation in truth, leads, as cir
cumrtances may arise, to the most stupen-
dous consequences. The distInctian here
is between a fact and a principle,----and if
the questions row in agitotion were m7re
abstract facts Eve are at a loss for a word
to convey our meaning with greater GER
tainty } and if Ibs fate Of our s%loriouss coun,
try depended npon a settlement Of them
Eag easiaoh saens.
Lett u suppose that The question Of slave
~ in the territories were, only one Of
whether It would be better policy for rs 10
have slavery there or not, and we were
divided upon ii to a degree to threaten dis
union, every patriot who loved the Union
would say compromise. But when the
question is as il now stands wherher or moi
shall the southern States admit that they
are criminals from their institution ofsIaye-
nv and that they, being inferior from that
and other causes, have notthe same rights
in the territories acquired by the general
government, acting as their agent, as the
northern superior States-whcn this ques-
tiou arises, based as il is upon q principle
and one which is continuing and leads to
such Overwhelmingly important effects we
saw, stop! we cannot admit your insulting
and degrading desires. or any part of them
therefore we cannot compromise with you.
II appears to be forgotten. in the multitude
of words used on this subject, that this is
the state of The case. We have never ad-
mitted that the north had any rights in this
controversy, NOT have they any principles
involved except those which have been es-
tablishcd upon a wrong foundation, cove
tousness,-and ifthey have no rights how
can we COMPROMISED This is the conclusion
Since 10 compro hise is 10 make mutual
concession Of right, and the north have no
rights TO concede, we cannot compromise
and to give away the principle Of our equal
ity with the north, we cannot do an exist.
What then becomes Of the intimation that
an obligation IS resting upon US 10 make a
COMPROMISED 1t is unto lnded in theory.
and equally so in tact. for we Of the south,
we southerners at least, do claim to be an
honorable people.
What 4hen!is there no outlet no meth
cd Of escaping the present dangers in
which we seem placed7 Shall the agrees
sion of the north be consummated, and re-
sisted by US, end in the destruction Of one
or bothH Assuredly SO as long as the prin-
ciple. of our equality is attempted to be
destroyed. ketthis principle be putaside
safely, and the whole question resolves it.
sell into a mere matter which can be COM
promised4or rather upon which a compro-
mise may be adjusted without any sacri-
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