Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-01-18
Shall we Compromise ,


Shall we Compromise
"Gentlemen may cry peace, peace-Ju
there is no peace. The war has actually
begun"
If the southern gales have not already
drought to our ears ''the clash Of resoundinn
arms, il is not because high handed treason
and open rebellion are not rampant in the
land; but because that, as yet, it has met
with no direct and positive resistance -
The enemies of our constitutional govern
ment and glorious Union, are already in the
field Already have they seized upon ar
senals, forts, and Other public property
and even our federal capital is threatened.
III is natural for man TO indulge in the
illusions of hope but tits in vain to hone
TO "gaiher strength by irresoution and mac
f'on.' SIS life so dear, or peace so sweet"
rs to be purchased at the price of national
'dlshonors Gentlemen talk of compromises !
Compromises with whom? Why, compro-
misses with traitors, with rebels, who not
only defy the power of our federal govern
ment, but WHO treat with like contempt
their obligations to the government, which
they have acknowledged and pledged them
hseives to perform by solemn oaths, and all
propositions Of compromise on the part of
this government, other than by complete
surrender of all government property with
in the limits Of those states, where the faint
OF treason appears most prevalent.
hut, suppose those of the south, who are
IN state OF rebellion, should consent to
entertain proposition for compromise. by
which they might be induced peaceably TO
return to their proper allegiance what
confidence can we have, judging from the
past, that such compromise, if adopted.
would not be violated as other compromises
have been, the moment that the interests of
slavery might seem to require it. Tin the
past, during times of profound peace and
great national prosperity, it has been i'm
possible to make compromises which CON
tlnued satisfactory to the different sections
OF the country, is it 10 be expected that at
time like this--a time of great excite
ment--a time Of treason and rebellion. and
when one section of the country is unrep-
resented in the councils of the nation--tbot
compromise can be made, which wonld
continue for any considerable time to be
satisfactory to the parties thereto, if indeed
any party would long be satisfied Herewith f?
No, no. ] doubt whether any intall;aen,
man believes that such COMPROMISE. i'll
any, could now be made under the existing
state OF things, When, therefore, GENTLE
men talk OF compromises, they simply mean
present palliatives from our present great
political evil. However important and nee
essary compromises may sometimes be. and
however Peasant and profitable it NAV be,
al Tunes, for gentlemen to theosize upon.
and duscuss the relative rights and dnt;es
OF people living in the different sections of
our country, there is a great practical cues
Ton before US, which oyershadows every
other political question of the present time.
! he great question and issue now TO be de-
cided Is, whether the United States govern
ment has power to protect its own propertv
IRON open violence and seizure by its en-
cmies. The government that shall fail TO
proceci Its own property, must soon fail to
command respect and obedience.
The secessioaists desire nothing better. !
than that congress, and the people of the
northern, mi1lle and western states, should
continue to debate this or that proposition
Tor compromise, while they seize and appro
pirate TO themselves such government prop |
crty as they most desire. How long shall
this state of things exist? Is IL not time
that both government and people were
fully aroused Let the president but reso.
lutely determine to do his whole duty in
securing and protecting government prop
erty, and hundreds Of thousands Of men
OF various political predictions, will stand
ready TO support and sustain him, and thus
sustain the Interests of our common conn
try, causing the flag Of our glorious Union
10 be everywhere respected and then if
concessions are proper and necessary ON the
part Of the people Of one section towards
the people of another section, let then, be /
made with due consideration, in spirit oil
sesndor and broth,Tly love.
base Gath to believe that majority Of
the people OF this country de sire that justice /
and equity may prevail; but any compro-
mi obtained by force and violence Gu the
one part, and Though fear on the other part.
Is like a compromise xiib a hisAwayman 4
when man gives np his purse 10 save his
life il, however, experience shows error
IN our ESTABLISHING we are bound 10 cor.
rect them; -and iiany practices exist, con-
irary 10 the principles Of justice and bu-
naniiy, within The reach of our laws az
our inicences We are inexcu<able if we 10