Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-12-31
Tho Missouri Compromise Lino-No Dodg.
ing.

! After an agitation which was forced upon
the country by the repeal Of this sacred
compromise of thirty years standing--an
agitation which has done more to ALLEVIATE
the people ofathe nation, and divide them
by sectional lines, than all other causes since
the foundation of the Government, and
which now threatens the dissolution of the
Union, its restoration is now advocated as
the only means of saving the Union, by the
very politicians who broke il down, and
who have drawn their political existence
ever since from the agitation which grew
out Of it.
So humble confession ffom great po-
litical party, that its policy has brought ruin
upon the country, and so complete justif-
cation Of the course of its opponents, is q
new thing in the history of politics and of
popular Governments. The theory of mon
archy is that the King can dc. mo wrong.
In this country we shift the infallibility to
the people, and we talk of the voice of the
people being the voice of God. But here is
great party confessing that it has done
wrong, and protesting a contrite desire to
make reparation by restoring the compro-
mise which it violated.
But if this is sincere; if it is intended in
good faith to support the restoration of this
compromise, TO settle the present dangers; if
it is not mere partisan stratagem, to be
supported because it is thought that the
other party will refuse it, let the proposition
be divested of all political trickery and put
. in a practical shape. 1t dses need an amend
ment to the Constitution to restore the Mis-
souri Compromise. 1t existed thirty years
by act of Congress. Nobody ever doubted
its constitutionality. To declare it uncon-
stitutonal was q part of the trick to break
it, when it was thought that stronger game
could be played. AS part of the trick is
confessed, let clean breast be made, and the
whole game be thrown up.
No honest man doubts the constitution
ality of the Missouri Compromise. 1t is
probable that it could pass the present Con-
gress. This is the only practicable shape
in which it can be proposed. To establish it
by amendment Of the Constitution requires
the assent of two-thirds of the States, and it
is not at all likely that it could be had.
South Carolina, and other States which are
determined to secede would probably not
vote on the question, therefore they would
be counted against it. 1t is not at all likely
that q majority of the Southern States
would go for it.
The ears of their people are still tingling
with the harangues of their politicians
against the Missouri Compromise as a wrong
inflicted upon the South.
1t is by no means probable that it coul
carry even half of the Northern States. The
Democrats have submitted to political sacri-
fee to abolish it because it was claimed to be
wrong upon the South, Their wounds are
yet too fresh, and hair of the same dog will
be too severe an application.
The people at large will not relish the offer
of a second trial of a broken compromise,
and that too, from the violatora
Even if it could pass two-thirds of the
States, the constitutional form requires
time. In the form of constitutional
amendment, the proposition is utterly inn
practicable. In Congress- if the South and
the Democracy would go for it, it could be
passed in a fortnight. To talk of it by
amending the Constitution, is mere trihjng
with the public danger. 1t is keeping the
word Of compromise to the ear, when
nothing but partisan stratagem is intended,
in order to gain some advantage in the
record, and to affect to put the responsibility
on another party.
Any body who honestly desires to restore
the Missouri Compromise, knows that 1t is
constitutional for Congress to do it. Any
Democrat who sincerely wishes to restore it,
knows that if the Democracy in Congress
support it, it can be passed. And we take it
that any man of good sense knows that to
propose it as a constitutional amendment, is
merely introducing another abstraction into
politics, merely to dodge behind.