The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-02-14
Editorial Correspondence.
MADISON, Feb. 9th, 1861.
10 sE..VeornHrDg


COMMISSIONERS.
The legitimate business of the Leg stature, has
been considerably neglected during the past week,
in consequence of the vexed question of sending
Commissioners to Washington, which is hard to
dispose Of There has, thus far, been an apparent
majority in both Houses in favor ofsending Com
missoners but this majority has been unable to
reach the object, because not quite agreed to
the composition of the Commissioners to be sent.
The number of Members in the Assembly in favor
of Commissioners, is about 43; of this number 25
are Republicans, and % Democrats. The number
in the Assembly opposed to Commissioners is
about 46-all Republicans. In the Senate, parties
are similarly divided-all the Democrats, with
portion of the Republicans being in favor of the
measure The most favorable form in which the
sending of Commissioners has been presented, is
/ the appointment of our present Republican Mem.
bers of Congress, with discretionary power to act
with the convention if they deem the interests of
our country will thereby be promoted.
With due respect to the opinions of a respecta
BILE class of Republicans, who favor the appoint.
ment of Commissioners, 1 see no good reason TO
change the sentiments heretofore expressed. II
Wisconsin must be represented at all our present
representation in Congress- would be sufficient for
all practical purposes besides it would be cav
ing Of an expense of from $4,000 to $4,000 to the
State. The expense of the commissioners, would,
it is true, not be worth taking into the account,
were there reasonable hope that any benefit to
the country would grow out of it. Some of the
most earnest advocates for the measure in the Leg
isature, do not pretend to believe that the COM
mission will be able to agree upon any basis for
the adjustment of our national differences; their
chief argument is, that the sending of commission
ers will tend to delay any percipitate action on the
part of the border slave States. But is it honest
for the North to make even pretense of favoring
concession or compromise, for the purpose of Sc
curing delay while there is real intention of do
ing anything of the kind7
The issues in the convention called by the State
of Virginia, are clearly defined, and no one need
mistake them The result of the convention, will
either be compromise in accordance with the de-
mands OF Slavery or refusal 10 yield anything on
the side OF freedom; in other words, The question
to be determined is, compromise no compromise.
If the convention arrives at the conclusion that
concession to slavery is demanded to the
Union, will the North be satisfied Certainly not,
principles which the Republican party avowed,
and pledged jtsely to stand by, in November last.
On the other hand il the convention should deter
mine that no yielding for the benefit of slavery is
demanded will the border slave States be salts
fed Manifestly not all the border save States
have indicated in express language that concess-
ions on the part of the North, must be made
Such then, will be the probable aspect of affairs
in the convention; it will discuss, and separate
with divided opinions What possible good, there
tore, can result from it's ac tionl
Again admit that the north should consent to
accept the Crittenden resolutions, as the basis of
settlement, (which s not al all probable,) would
that sacrifice of northern principle save the Union
entire Certainly not, provided the border slave
States are in earnest in what they say they have
declared through their Legislatures and otherwise,
that the Federal Government, shall not attempt to
coerce the seeding States back into the Union !
| ifsuch an attempt be made, they declare they Will
90 off with the secessionists. So if the convention
were to adopt the terms proposed by Virginia, the
rebellious Cotton States could not be reclaimed
by the power of the General Government; nor
would the border slave states allow of the TAX
| ing of the property of the government which has
been seized by the southern traitors Such is the
attitude of the Slave States represented in the con-
vention, as expressed by their constituted author
tiles. How, then, is the integrity OF the Union to
be maintained even by concession of all the de-
mands of Virginia and other border States
1t is also fact well settled that many of the lead
ing Republican Members of Congress, do not re-
gard the sending of commissioners from the North
ern States with favor. They look upon such &C.
ton as calculated to complcate aad embarrass
their position, rather than to strengthen 1t. The
terms of settlement which will be insisted upon In
the convention by the commissioners from the
Slaves States, will be such as cannot be accepted
by the commissioners from the free States yet the
majority of the commissioners composing the con
vention, will, unquestionably, recommend the
compromise measures embraced in the resolu-
tions of the State of Virginia. The influence of
the convention will therefore, throw additional
weight into the scale of the disunionists.
But it is said, the recent triumph of the Union
party in Virginia, is most favorable indication
of correct sentiment which should be reclproeated
by sending commissioners to Washington in &C
cordance to the invitation given. What is the
Union party of Virginia? Its only distinction
from the secessioniss, is that it does not go for
immediate secession it is for the Union .iton-
i ala, If certain compromises in favor of slavery
are granted, the Union party of Virginia propose
to stand by the Union, but if these compromises
are not granted, this Union party declares its pur-
pose to go with the secessionsts So after all the
flourish about the triumph Of the Union party in
Virginia, there Is but little for congratula-
ton.
Some of the leading Republican journals in this
State seem to be most strangely impressed with the
notion that the salvation OF the Union depends
upon our accepting the invitation of Virginia TO
send commissi oners to Washington. The most
influential Republican newspaper ill Wisconsin,
closes leading editorial as follows: "Virg1nia
holds out flag oftruce oW Wisconsin accept 1t ~
What is the flag oftruce which Virginia holds QUIT
1t is nothing less than the Breckenridge platform;
platform of principles which were repudiated in
November last, alike by Republicans and Douglas
Democrats, by an overwhelming vote. Yet the
Breckenridge platform which found favor with
only insignificant handful of the voters of Wis
cousin, is now heraldcd as flag of truce for the
acceptance Of the people OF this State
FARM MORTGAGES.
Before the election of U. S. Senator, the Farm
Mortgage question was prolific topic of discu g.
sion especially among the outsiders at Madison
Since that election has TRANSFERRED there has been,
comparatively, little said about it. What partic-
ular senatorial interest was intended to be sub
served, by bringing the Farm Mortgage question
to bear upon it, do not pretend to be sufficiently
advised to offer opinion. The joint commit
tee to whom the subject of devising relief for the
Farm Mortga gors, was referred, ] understand have
agreed upon q general plan, but the details are
not fully perfected. The main features are evil
IDENTIFY designed to delay action foreclosures.
1t provides that the of the Mortgages shall
give ample security in the county in which the
land lies to pay all cost of foreclosure before
renenp anti provided tbe action IL NOT m ain+e;p