Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-12-28
WAsHNerov, Dc. q, $50.
The Spirit Of the Black Republican Press
ON -COmpPomfse.

The Spirit Of the Black Republican Press
on COmPFOnise. -
JAMES WATSON wEBB in.the New York CourisrGnd
Enquirer. says:
But SAYS the South give US a change of the Con-
stitution Our answer TO that is. No: the CoEstitu-
ton and the Governments which Is created, good
enough for us, and we desire no change; We 60 for
The Gouenaasai and The Constitution as taeg are.
But at the same time were member of Con-
gress such Is our love for and devotion to the Union
such our love for Peace anc for our Southern
brethren and ouch horror of civil war, ready
as we are to embark in it for the preservation of
the Union-that we should vote in favor of any
proposed change in the Constitution which might
be agreed upon for the people to accept or reject
We should do so however, under protest, proclairl-
ing our determination before the people, to resist
anv change whatever in the Constitution, while we
recognized the duty ina crisis of such gravity, to
give the people themselves the right Of acting direct
" upon the question
And such we imagine. will ultimately be the mode
of settling this vexed question Sufficient of our
Republican Representatives viii finally consent to
certain amendments to the Constitution being sub
mitted to the people, proclaiming at the time, their
determination TO oppose them at the polls. Time,
with healing on its wings" will thus be gained
and IN time reason viii resume her sway and thrust
aside passion and the people OF all sections of the
country will unite in the CONVICTION that after all the
Union is invaluable and indiSsoluble; and that the
Constitution as it is gives the very best govern
ment that the Almighty ever conferred upon an
people. Then will follow concessions from both
parties; and long before the proposed changes IN
The Constitution can be acted upon by the people.
they will be deemed unnecessary, and this whole
siare up' in the South, pass into oblivion We
have no fears of the Union IL may be that the
General Government may be called upon TO put
down rebellion; but even that contingency cannot
arise unless rebels traitors and miscreants attack
the Government of the country. This they will not
do; but If they should be reckless then let them
meet the doom of traitors and on their own heads
be the consequences.
The New York Times says: g, i
The Republicans might possibly vote for a resto
ration Of the Missouri line precisely as it stood in
I8j3-for the effect of such measure would be TO
assert the old doctrine, and go back to the land
marks Of the Constitution 1t would be an over
throw,of the bred Scott opinion, and .re-adjust-
ment on the basis that Congress has the power TO
prohibit slavery in the Territories. Practically,
moreover nothing would be lost by it, An addition
al guarantee would be given against the Introduction
of slavery North of SO deg. 30 min. while addi-
onal guarantee would be given in favor of slavery
South of that line The question of slavery North
of it would be finally settled by act of Congress;
and South of it the people nhabtng the Territories
would be left perfectly free to admit or exclude
the institution, lust as they in Kansas and Ne
braska, before the bred Scott opinion or decision
given. But when it is proposed to engratt this
compromise upon the Constitution, and add to il
express guarantee for the protection of slavery
South Of the line by Federal authority and to ex-
tend all this to the Pacific, the Republicans will
hesitate.
The New York Tribune says:
We warn the people of the Free States that a
cockatrce's egg is being Matched at Washington,
in the form Of a proposition 10 amend the
Constitution by tracing the line of Sc 80 across
the continent, and booming to eternal slavery all
the territory we now possess or may hereafter &C
Quire South of that parallel. We are aware that
l. ~
months that would expire ere It could be acted
upon by the State Legislatures, would fill every
corner of the land with unprecedented agitation,
can never be incorporated into the Constitution.
We know that, excepting in and Immediately around
the great commercial centers. every member of
Congress from the North who, by giving his vote
for such a measure In this crisis betrays the
cause OF Free Labor and Free Government, will be
buried under avalanche OF popular reproba-
ton, and will know no resurrection There
fore we have no fears of the ultimate fate
of this proposed recreancy TO Truth, Justice,
and the permanent peace of the country. But,
we appeal to the Republicans IN Congress,
and ask, I" Why encourage treason IN the
"South and cowardice in the North by In
"spiring hopes which you know can never
abe realizedgn If they are deaf to reason,
then we turn to those great constituencies which
have just deposited in the ballot-boxes nearly
two millions of Republican votes and ask them
if they are willing to allow their representatives
to even seem to throw awoy the fruits of their
dearly-won victory to break down the Admnistra-
ton Of Lincoln he attains power to prove them
selves 10 have been hypOcrites while out OF place,
and Cravens who are ready to surrender their
principles the moment they are able to abandon
them to their enemies Or, if we are too conf
dent of the final result, and there really be dan
ger of such amendment being incorporated into
the Constitution If presented to Congress. then
ask Republicans if there is any exertiOn which they
will not put forth to prevent the initial step IN this
downward road-any effort they will not put forth
to hold our country back from entering upon pratt
cal and buccaneering schemes for re-opening the |
slave trade and extending slavery over the South
ern half of the Continent precipatng US into wars
with foreign nations and provoking the Indignation
of ChTistendoT?
We warn our readers that this sO-called "Com !
promise may be sprung upon Congress immediately |
after the holidays if not previously broken up by
the outspoken condemnation of the people. Let |
Republican constituencies take prompt measures. |
through the mails the public press and personal |
appeals, to bring the proper influences to bear |
upon their Senator's and Representatives at Wash |
ington, ere II be too late Let them crush this off |
spring of Southern treason and Northern dough- |
faceism in its ineipieney There is nota moment to
be lost!
Our clear duty is to check the extension of slavery
We have still vast region of almost uninhabited ter
ritory yet to be made into States, and that soil
should never be impressed the footprint of a bond |
man. We owe it TO generations OF men yet unborn.
We have no right 70 leave the question 10 ne Settted
by the contingency of climate, or the accident of
any existing or possible circumstance. One unvary
ing law stable and inevitable the great law of
nature must be applied to it all and for all time
THE TERRITORIES MUST re FREE.
Is it possible, then for to yield inch on this
question? Never! We believe in the great doc
trIne Of the Federal Constitution; we believe in the
principles of our fathers; are not willing TO COM
promise with evil, that it may spread and live
forever, which they only tolerated for season in
the hope that it would speedily perish: and We
want peace I'VE want peace, and not panic, and
therefore we can make no compromise and yield no
concession which Is to be perpetual plague to US,
and to those who come after Us inheritance of |
perpetual political strife to end of later in
a struggle more terrible than any civil war the
world has ever witnessed. The real settlement of
the Questionis begun, let il be fully accomplish
ed, and not again be put off to future day.
AILHAu To GEORGIA AND TENNEssEE.-The train
from Savannah yesterday brought delegation of
twenty members Of the " Sons of the SOUTH an
I,.ad