The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-12
LETTERS OF DISTINGUISHED INDIVIDUALS.

THE VICE PRESIDENT ON THE CRISIS.
THE HoS. JOHN G. BRkCxINRIDGE TO THE COVER
NOR OF KENTUCKY.
WASHINGTON Crry. Jan. Q, 1861
NY DrAr SR--I think all thoughtful men will approve
your conduct in convening the Legislature.
Within few weeks have received many letters,
chiefly Kentucky, asking M opinion to the pros
pect Of fair adjustment Of political troubles which
have not answered for satisfactory to my
mind among which has been lingering hope that
acceptable plan OF settlement might be proposed by Con
grss securing the rights and honor OF all DO not feel
at liberty longer to remain silent, and without intending
TO burden you with extended letter, Ill oder few
thoughts upon the condition of public affairs
con,laced hat thorough and saigoctory flon
u " proposed TO Me States 6yt ne Congress All eGo, Is
for this purpose have disclosed differences too radical to
admit Of agreement
At an early day in the session, on the motion OF
Senator from Kentucky JMr. Powe), a committee OF
ID recn Senators appointed to consider the state Of
the country and report remedy II was composed or
representative from different parts OF the Union
After long conferences for many days the Chairman
reported TO the Senate THAT they had been wholly
unable to agree aud reference 10 the Journal OF the
committee win reveal the radical differences between tae
republicans aud otte
Proposit ons conceived spirit Of patriotic conces
sion offered 10y Senator Orttenden refer to them
because they conccdc much to the spirit OF conciation
They embrace the following amendments to the cost
tuition
That Congress shall have no power 70 abolish slavery in
the forts dock yards and other pnoes under its urs
dstion N the Southern states
Nor to prevent the transportation of slaves from
saycholdng state 10 another to any Territory where
slavery may exist whether the transportation be coast
w.se or inland.
Nor 10 abolish slavery IN the District Of Columbia while
II exists IN MARYLAND or Virginia nor without tho con-
Of the inhabitants and compensation 10 the
md IN regard to the Terrtories;-
That in al the territory held or hereafter to be
acquired north OF latitude 80 deg 80 nln slavery or
involuntary servitude except as nshment for crime
shall be prohibited while in all territory held or
hereafter 20 be acquired he language Of Mr. Crittendens
resolution this point may be liable TO mscOnsructon
but know that intended 10 embrace after acquired
territory south OF 20 deg 20 min south OF said line of
latitude slavery of the African shall be recognized
and projected in both the prohibition side
the line and the protection the other covering
period Or Territorial existence.
These prov siuns, the resolutions propose shall be
made part Of the con ttuton, and together with the
features IN the constitution relative 10 the represen
gtve slaves shall not be subject TO future alteration
As subsequently modified they contain, emong other
things very proper declaration that citizenship and
suffrage shall not be conferred on persons n whole 81 in
part OF African descent
glsnce AT these resolutions viii show the immense
concession the. offer for security and peace Leaving
out Of view for moment tho Territorial question, the
other proposed amendments but decaraory Of the
present constitution Congress has power now 70 abo
lsh slavery In the places within its jurisdiction In the
southen States nor To prevent the transportation Of
slaves slavohodng Territory another
Nor are persons of African descent citizens OF the United
States and the bssis OF federal representation and the
return ~ fugitive slaves are stipulated for in express
terms the present instrument n II be said that Con
geas may const tionHy abolish slavery In this District
will not pause TO argue the question, but ooy enter
protest against the assumption.
II agreed 70 they should be unanendabe parts Of the
constitution, since the North would have sufficient
number OF States q change the instrument Ia the
ner prescribed by itself
Il must 10 confessed that II offers but faint hope OF
security and good faith when powers granted 10 Con-
gess by the constitution must again he expressly denied
and the provisions made unslterabe to guard against sp
preheDsons Of a sectional and growing majority.
Cpon these points then, suppose, there IA
sion neither upon the side the other The free
Sa,es only asked dove tia, ey DiU ier
gvvr,ng poT 10 dire e South Of eririSg rights, ,ctich
are csscruoi 70 rs Sqfesy.
come now, the vast concession to the North Tho
Southern states assert with great unanmity, the right
Of oil the citizens of all the states the
Territories with their property, OF whatever kind, in
Guiding slaves and TO have il protected by the common
government This right s sustained by highly respect
abba class Of opinion In tho Northern States and has been
affirmed by the highes, judicial tribunal known to the
constitution " does not fall within the scope OF this
letter 10 reargue the question. treat a. a settled
right upon which the argument has been exhausted.
Mr. Crittenden's Territorial amendment offers so far
the Southern states ard their slave property con
cerned 70 eld his right IN hree fourths the erlsting
u, Jg N@s soe, 'n anS ~ ,sr na, o srs 70 T. p n
all the TryVoyyths citizens IF he Sowhcrn States, cafh
hesy p.gzty IN onefoun @ u Prohp,.lon 2, slave
lection c south Of that line, and the rule TO apply 70
all territory hereafter acauredihs the principle Of
the proposed amendment And the last named feature
Is vital the Territorial question be settled At all
n should be settled for all time, and locked up the
sttuton Otherwise there be no hope Of exemption
from anti slavery agitation and the country
would soon be thrown again into the midst OF political
aud financial convulsions The Southern states cannot
afford TO be shut Oh from all possibility of expansion
wards tho tropics by the hostile action OF tho federal
government
am that this plan of adjustment has been offered
not a. The full measure OF rights but patriotic
concession, with the hope Of promptly secury
and peace. In view OF the knowledge have Of the
progress 81 political snislavery opinion and OF the man
ner N which the federal government may be employed
by hostile influences falls far short OF what would be
required In FORMING original scheme government