The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-12-18
Concession and Compromise.

Copcession and Compromise.
e. As the ire-eaters of the South pc
riodically return with their threats of
breaking up the Union unless their ultra
and aggressive demands relative to slav-
cry are complied with, it has always been
the case that they have found timid and
venal persons enough at the North to cry
out compromise" and to grant the
concessions demanded. 1t is undeniable
that in the early history of the govern
ment the federal constitution received an
anti-slavery construction and equally
undeniable, therefore, that its trainers
deemed it an anti-slavery instrument.
But step by step the slave power has re-
versed this construction. Little by lit
tie, under threatenings of dissolution
of the confederacy, have they undermin-
ed the great principle of the constitu-
ton, that of freedom and equal rights,
until now it has come to be Interpreted
only as an instrument for perpetuating
human slavery. AS each successive step
in this change has been proposed, it has
met with resistance from the conserva-
tive, liberty-loying element of the coun-
try but that element has always been
willing to compromise, and each COM
promise has proven to be full conces-
sion to the slave powers demands. And
rs soon as this has been obtained, South
ern faith, as pledged in such compromis-
cs. has been violated, and the conditions
on slavery's part repudiated.
And Notwithstanding this experience,
we now hear again the cry of compro-
mise, and we are surprised to hear some
Republican men and Republican journals
joining in it. But what are we to do
We have fought the battle for years,
fought it on principle. and now, when
the people of the country, by constitu-
tional method, has endorsed our princi-
pies, are we to give them up? Are we,
the victors in the fight, battling in the
cause of humanity and conscience, are
we TO give up our rights, our sense of
5us,ice, and gran: to the vanquished ev-
erything for which they have been con-
tending? Are we to express regret for
having obtained a constitutional triumph
and secured the power to administer the
government in the spirit of its founders ?
Are we TO give up our right to elect such
rulers as we may like best This is
what is asked Of US. We might as well
consent at once to become slaves.
We hope there will be no compromise
The South has forced this issue upon us,
and got beaten, and though we can afford
to be magnanimous, we cannot safely
surrender up an iota Of principle. 1t is
folly to think of compromising this con
test. The elements are too thoroughly
IN opposition. 1t has got to be fought
out sometime, and no time is better than
the present. While despotism in the old
world is falling before the advancing
cause of popular rights, can slavery here,
where those rights first found recogni-
ton, a5sranIize itself unresisted ? 1t is
impossible.
What compromise could we offer that
would quiet the present agitation Ev-
cry man admits, and the Secessionists
proclaim, that LINcoLN's election is but
the opportunity for carrying out plan
before determined upon. As long as the
federal government was under their con-
troll, they were willing to grant it allegi-
anee. But that allegiance they were de-
,ermincd TO surrender up with the privi-
lege to feed at the public crib. And
they have done so. No compromise
would satisfy them. Grant them what
they now demand, and what such dough
lace journals as the Dubuque Her0ld Is
willing TO grant them-protectio for
slave property in the territories, the right
~ hold slaves temporarily in the free
s.Itas, remuneration for their escaped
slases, &c.-and yet they would not be
satisfied. The re-opening of the African
Slave Trade would come next. and unless
these comgromisers are willing to grant
this, til cir concession would only delay
the present. movement short time. Con-
strung the constitution as our fathers
construed it, standing where CLAY and
WEBSTER stood, the Republican party
has 80 compromise to make, and we hope
will st.esspt none.
ET The great Divorce case of BuRcH
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