Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-12-28
POINTS OF COMPROMISE.

We ike Mr.. Crltten1eas compromise
plan, on the whole, rather better than
sny other which has emanated from
Southern sources. In the first place It is
free from the preposterOus demand that
the very thing decided in the last election
by majority much greater than Lineoln's
vote-we mean the protection Of slavery
in all the Territories by the general gov
erament-shau now be given up to the
Breckenridge faction. We say prePos-
terous, because aside from the inherent
richtfuIluess of the decision, if such
reversal could be extorted now, We never
should have hereafter any confidence in
the decision of the ballot box, and the
fundamental principle on which all our
institutions rest would receive blow be-
yond the reach of recovery. Mr.. Crit
tenden avoids that suicidal absurdity.
In proposing substantially the restoration
Of the Missouri Compromise line, he sets
at naught the pretensions of the Dred
Scott decision, upon which the claim for
the protection of slavery IS founded 30
far he leaves = fair basis for the future
Other features Of his plan, also-sueh as
the denial Of power to abolish slavery in
the slave Ststes, and in the District of
Columbia 50 long as the institution IS re-
taiued in Maryland or Virginia, and the
provisions respecting the amelloration OF
the Fugitive Slave Law and the abolition
Of State acts resisting it-are not partic-
ularly Objectionable as parts OF a COM
promise which should be satisfactory in
other respects. But to some other fe2-
sures IN his plan we should OBJECT most
decidedly, as will appear il the express
sion Of the following thoughts suggested
BY Mr. Crittsnden's plan:
l. 1t IS a very material question which
Mr.. Hale put to Mr.. Crittenden-and one
which must be fully answered before we
can proceed to the serious consideration
of any defaite plan Of compromise
whether he had embodied the real feeling
Of the South, seeing that he differed so
radically from Igerson, Wigfal and the
other champions Of that section As il
IS now, it Is utterly impossible for the
free States to learn what would pacify
the States which threaten to leave the
Union, and until they can find it cut,
It is Of eogsse 10 use 10 tender PROPOSE
tions which may prove irrelevant and
perhaps offensive. The first requisite,
then, Is that the dissatisfied States agree
upon some definite plan and present it.
,. Mr.. Critenden's plan, and most all
others, propose an amendment Of the
Constitution. Now it Is for the Republi-
cans 10 consider whether they can do
anything in that direction. For years
they have been calumniated as not being
true to the Constitution. All We want, /"
said Mr.. Yancy, said moderate Demo
crats, said Bell and Everett men, is
tha. you Republicans should live up to
the requirements of this Constitution Of
our Fathers" We have had that implied
-eproash diuned 10 our ears in every va
riety Of expression, " from grave to gay,
from lively to severe" till the people gave
Us q national victory. And now the first
thing that cur defeated friends do is %
turn right round and declare that the
Constitution, 50 far from being perfect
needs q vast deal Of tinkering, and L the
Republicans viii not at once enter upou
the work, they will throw the whole Con
stitution overheard. We want to think
Of this. The Constitution Of our Fathers
has always been good enough for Us, and
We exceedingly doubt the wisdom Of re
casting If, especially in an era Of unusua
excitement
3. We have had two or three grand
compromises on this slavery question
and where are they' Can we insure
any greater permanenee TO one which
might be established now? Mr.. Critten
den, we see, proposes to eternize bis b.
pro7;ding that no future amendments 0
the Constitution shall affect il Thi
goes beyond the trainers Of that sscre'
instrument. They left it all open L
amendments-except in two particulars
and those qualifed-and yet We are sud
denly called upon to insert provision
which shall stand untouched whsn ever
other clause in the Constitution may hay
given way to the exigencies Of fatur
ages. The absuriity of the demand eai
only spring from extreme dOubts Of ID
permanence Of any compromise esta6
lished n the ordinary way al the presen
tine.
4. air. Criitenden's plan, Ike al
others that we have seen, IS wanting il
What re u0st regard IS the essential ele
u7ent OF any thorough, effecsual eompro