The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-13
THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM THE
METROPOLIS AND THE CRISIS.
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Ollo AMI ShISlS.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IL, 1860
To Hon. JAMES HuMPHREY:-
The undersigned representatives in Congress from the
city and State Of New York, deem it duty com
municatc TO you the representative of State in the
Committee Of Thirty three, to which has been referred
that part Of the Presidents Message relating the con-
dton of the Union views of what at the present
crisis of the Union is demanded alike by the sentiments
Of our people the great interests Of State and the
moral and political necessities Of the situation We
think the time has arrived when an eectual stop ought
10 be Put TO all aggressive and irritating agitation Of the
slavery question ut the North II there any points Of
federal relation to the peculiarly Southern institution Of
negro slavery which give rise to conscientious senti
ment at the North Of moral responsibility about it and
therefore to sense OF supposed duty deal with the
subject according TO theories at with the senti
ments and convictions of the South in regard to it, we
think that those points ought To be disposed Of by con-
elusive constitutional settlement, relieve uneasy
conscences at the North OF that feeling of responsibility
and Of consequent supposed right and duty. We think
that the South cannot be expected TO remain that il
will not remain, associated in confederation with fixed
antislavery majority domination from the North
think that in reversed circumstances people would
not remain IN relation Of conquered submission to
power manfestly hostile and menacing to their vital
institutions and fundamental rights. We think that the
South, rhe more southern South VI the cotton
states both strong enough to and maintain It's
independence Of the North and now, in fact fully re
solved TO do unless just and necessary satisfaction
its reasonable claims and respectful and friendly
recognition Of its equal rights and the equal sovereign
dignity Of its constituent States in the Union are
frankly and honestly conceded TO il BY the North,
and efcctuay secured to IL by constitutions
provisions We think that there have been reciprocal
faults both sides, in the long sectional controversy
which has eliminated its final issue and It's neccs.
sary permanent solution In the apparently almost
inevitable dissolution Of the Union but also think
that this Ia time for rccrminatons, which little belt
true statesmen and patriots at such a moment az the
present. And now, condenslng into practical application
the views generally indicated in the above expression OF
not only sentiments, but what well know TO
be those Of people think that practicable
and adequate solution Of the pending crisis Of the
Union would be the adoption by Congress Of certain
amendments the constitution in part explanatory and
in part new but all in harmony with the pcrvadng spirit
Of the constitution, and the submission OF those amend
ments TO conventions the Legislatures Of the States
for ratification, within the course OF the next two
months. We believe that such amendments would be
ratified by large majores In nearly all the states Of the
North and that they ought to be and would be atsac
tory TO the patriotic Of the south and that by
the proposed course Of action II recommended by your
Of danger 10 the Union will by the 4h Of March
have rolled away rapidly as II has swept upon
and that will be followed by new Of fraterna
peace and universal prosperity which may then well
Justify our confident trust IN the perpetuy Of this sub
lmest work Of human wisdom-the constituted Union
Of the sovereign States Of America.
The amendments VS. !bsJsi9Ee recommend to you, as
the representative OF New York in the Committee Of
states, are az follows
diversity OF views, and tho necessity OF practicable
compremise that subjec would be wisely settled by
sl.~s~U anita
the of the Missouri compromise was the fair and
sagacious policy Of the fathers, namca climatic par
ttun by securing 10 the South the right OF unrnoested
immigration into and settlement in the Territories south
of the latitude 30 deg 90 min during the period OF
Territorial minority, with the same right 70 All Necessary
enjoyed by Northern immigrants in regard To Their
descriptions Of property and with fun right TO
the pso pie Of each Territory to determine their perma
rent policy regard 10 slavery and the negro race on
the omsion Of their state constitution for admission
y 1he federal ur sdictou over local spots within the
States such forts, arsenas, and inter State
merce should he declared not capable o being applied
any Interference with the lawful rights Of property
recognized by the states locally concerned and that
simultaneously with this guarantee 70 the south regard
inter state commerce. the revival OF the African slave
trade should be prohibited.
Inasmuch the constitution, In ts wise distrihu
ton q the different Kinds Of representations intended
te embodied in the three great branches of Tie lcgs
lative and executive powefthc senate, the House OF
Representatives and the Prcsidontbas made the FIRST
the representative o the equal state soveregntc the
second that of the people in their representative
IocnI districts and the third, that Of the whole
aggregate people of the whole Union the mode ~ elect
ing the President ought 10 be modified 20 the
object Of his berg the representative Of the true ma
ority the whole, and not that Of a minority, which
may happen TO be the mere local majority II single
secrn with this view the single electoral district sys-
TEN for the election of the Presidential electors ought to
BE- adopted with two electors at large for each State
present provision being made for second election be-
tween the two gbcst candidates IN the event Of
dida,e having received the requisite majority the first
vote.
T. Alihough not directly connected with tue contro-
versy which has resulted IN the present crisis think
that provision for the noneligbiy OF Presidents here
elected would BE- acceptable TO the general opinion
o. The country, and be highly beneficial In It's influence
upon the administrative action Of the executive.
In addition TO the foregoing proposed amendments Of
he constitution Of the United states, we think that NJ
the present time very pernicous source OF reciprocal
irritation between the sections Of the country would
be removed certain amendments adopted IN the
existing legislation regard 10 the rendition of fugitive
slaves the part OF Congress, we think that the
federal law gbt to provide that nm alleged fugitive who
may admit the right Of his claimant should be de
vered over hot 10 the immediate possession of such
claimant but TO the Marshai of the district from which
be may BE- alleged 10 have escaped there 70 receive full
and deliberate trial Of the fact In sue and that In the
~ his unlawful the state the county
should be lioblc the claimant for his full value. On
the part Of the States which have passed laws designed
the obstruction Of tho rendition OF such fugitves all
such laws ought 10 be repealed amended into confor
~ with the solemn faith plgh,ed in the constitution by
each 20 all the rest and convinced that such
repeal or smercment would promptly follow the adoption
n the above proposed modification q the exisig federal
law. JOHN CO(fiRANE,
GEORGE BRIGGS,
WILLIAM II MACIAY,