Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-01-13
Mr. VyihsIoVv's Address to HIS COUsiitu-
E. ents. ttst.H
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29th, 1860.

| To Ny Constituents
| The views which l entertained of the unhappy
state of things existing in the Union the duty Of our
people and the possible remedies. were fully and
frankly disclosed to you, in repeated discussions,
during the late canvass.
came hither. at the assembling OF the Congress,
with the design of honestly carrying out those views
and with the intention to assert boldly and to MAIN
tain fearlessy the rights of my section and to
tribute, far as could consistently with the honor
of North Carolina TO the preservation of the Union
the recognition of the equality of the States and the
establishment of unity, peace, and concord among
our people to all generations.
| l could not hesitate therefore, to take service
upon committee OF the State, the avowed object of
which was to arrive at some just settlement Of the
difficulties |-E sltEt4 "a.
On that committee have steadily acted with my
colleagues of the slavehOlding States, who are real
w and unaffectedy DESTROYS Of restoring peace and
consolidating the Union principles of justice and
equality.
Although it did not entirely meet the approval of
our Judgment nevertheless for the sake of harmony
induced, the first day of our meeting, to
propose frankly and at once, plan to settle the only
difficult question, that OF the territories upon the
basis of constitutional amendment, prohibiting
slavery above, and protecting it below the parallel
of thirty-six degrees thirty minutes North latitude
1t was especially gratifying that, without the
knowledge of this proposition, the venerable and
distinguished Crittenden, the representative man of
a political organization most respectable for its
numbers and intelligence IN all the slaVeholdIng
States, should have produced in the Senate plan
almost identical in terms and import
From some causes or other, the resolutions in
troduced by us on the 10th day Of December, could
not be forced to vote until the 27t instant when
they were rejected by the unanimous vote of all the
Republican members, aided by one gentleman from
the South.
Perhaps the saddest evidence that little hope re
mains of a satisfactory solution, rests upon what
were manfestly the reasons of such refusal the alb
solate unwillingness TO recognize by a formal
amendment of the Constitution, the right of proper
ty in slaves.
The Senate Committee of Thirteen found all its
endeavors fruitless, by of the rejection of
Mr.. Crittendens resolutions. ...z.
feel constrained to say, that think there is no
hope in Congressional action.
If it should be thought that resort to a COnven-
ton of the States is proper. that is for North Caro-
lima by her Legislature, or in solemn Convention of
her people TO determine. The Constitution has not
conferred upon the Congress the power to call
Under this state of things. and especially in
sideraton of the alarming and excited condition Of
the country, the bankruptcy of the treasury, the
utter prostitution of the credit of the Government,
evinced in the proposals to take not quite BALI of
loan of five millions lately authorized at arate of
interest varying from twelve to thirtysix per cent,
have felt it to be my duty to announce to you the
failure of all efforts here, and to declare that.ih
my judgment, the only remedy is in your own
prompt, honest, and independent action.
WARREN WISsLOw.