Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-03-08
From the New York Tribune, March 1.

Should the propositions adopted by the
Peace Convention at Washington be added
a. amendments to the Constitution of the
United States IL viii form the most curious
chapter of Political History on record. A
young aud vigorous party, after five years
of the most diligent labor, with one very posi-
tive dominant idea resting for Its basis. upon
a great moral principle, with q most thor
ough understanding of their purpose, have
carried their point by the largest popular
vote ever poiled, and decided that Slavery
SHALL NOT be extended into the Territories of
the United States. The first section of the
proposed Compromise, offered by Mr.. Frank
lin, provides not only that Slavery shall be
extended into all such Territories, and pro-
hibits Congress from interfering with it
there, but absolutely fOrbids the people them
selves of those Territories from interfering
with it. no matter what may be their senti-
ments as to the morality of the system, or
their opinions OF il as question of political
economy, or even of police regulation!
Should an amendment be proposed tc the
Constitution prohibiting the people of Mas
sachusetts from interfering By legislation
with the existence of Slavery, polygamy, or
any other system which they do. or may
hereafter come to consider as barbarous, such
a proposition would be held as barbarous;
and yet il would not be one whit more so
than this constitutional amendment in reia-
ton to the Territories. Either Slavery is or
it is not likely to go into these now almost
unsettled regions. If il is, then the expec-
tation that the two millions of voters who
have so recently and SO emphatically record
ed their decision upon the subject will now
change that decision, il founded upon the
belief that this body of intelligent men who
have beea educated by a training of years up
to this point. will. by threats of violence and
appreheusions of political turbulence. be
moved 10 forego their strongest in ellectual
convictions and conscientious impulses. Is
this probable? Are we go vacilating and so
timid people? Is there anything in our
past history, melancholy as il is on this very
| subject that can justify any such expecta-
| ton? On the contrary, is not the fact that
we have been so long in coming to this con-
yiction Of what our duty is upon this subject.
the very reason why we may feel assured
that that conviction is unalterable!
But if, on the other hand, there is no prob
ability that Slavery, either from soil, eli.
mate, or the habits of the people, is ever
| likely to get foothold in those regions, is it
| likely that the people OF the North will con-
sent to SO solemn and important an act as an
| amendment OF the Constitution for purpose
| so totally uncalled for, and which can serve
| no other end than to afix upon that instru-
ment of Government what all the rest of the
| civilized world. except ourselves, regard as
| a stigma? II is little else than an insult TO
the intelligence of the North to submit to
| it such proposition, in the one case; and
injury added 10 insult, in the other. TO offer
the South such stone when they ask for
bread. Grant her at least the civility of a
decent refusal to her preposterous demands.
The same imbeeility of purpose, the same
want of logical vigor, and the same utter
abuegation of any Difference to Northern
feeling, characterize every other proposition
of this miscalled compromise. The Consti-
tuition is wisely confined to the general pro-
position of leaving to the States the manage
ment of their internal affairs, leaving IL to
the wisdom of the people and OF Congress to
make any occasional exception when any
| exigency shall arise that may make such in
reference imperative. Ii might, for instance,
in case of a formidable servile instruction,
or of foreign invasion melting to such in
surrection, or of strong desire on the part
| OF some State to rid ITSELF by aid of the
Federal Government of Slavery, be wise,
| according to the universal judgment, 10 inter-
fere with the condition of s.persons held to
| service" A government wants the first ele j.
ment OF stability that is destitute of good
faith among its citizens If there really be
any ground for the mistrust implied in such
an amendment as is here proposed. the
South may well doubt if the North is To be
held back by Constitutional obligations at
all. 1t is a sort OF bond to keep the peace.
which is 10 itself confession of an aggres-
sive will.
The stringent propositions to secure the
rendition OF fugitives are as unwise as ali
the rest, and their severity will defeat their
own object. An incentive is offered tc free
every fugitive by q riot, actual or pretended.
a. every slave SO rescued becomes free and
safe from further pursuit when price is
paid for him. Sheriff. and Marshals will
nnd It an easy way to get rid of dissgreea-
bic daty 70 permit . small mob TO take the
prisoner ont Of their hands.