The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-01-22

ne non. JOln V. DrecK1DfluSe, ftCe-f resident
of the United States has addressed aletter to Gov
Magoffn, of Kentucky, approving of his course in
converting the Legislature of that State, and ex-
pressing the opinion that mo thorough and salts
factory plan will be proposed to the States by the
Congress. All efforts for this purpose have dis
closed differences too radical admit of agreement
Mr. Breckenridge next refers to the fact that
the Senate committee Of Thirteen had been unable
to unite upon any satisfactory plan and then pro-
ceeds to speak of the propositions Of Mr. Crtten-
den as 'conceived in spirit of patriotic conces-
SION" All these propositions, however, except the
territorial question, Mr. Breckenridge considers
but declaratory Of the present constitution, and
therefore there is concession neither upon the one
side nor the other. The free States only asked
to agree that they will never use their growing
power to deprive the South of existing rights,
which essential to its safety On the territori-
al question embraced in Mr. Crittendens plan,
however, Mr. Breckenridge thinks that vast con-
cesson to the North is made, and his views this
point as well as that of coercion, we quote at
length as follows:
THE Southern States assert, with great I'M
animity, the right of all the States to enter the
common Territories with their property OF what
ever kind including slaves, and to have it protec-
ted by the common government. This right Is
sustained by highly respectable class of opinion
in the Northern States, and has been affirmed by
the highest judicial tribunal known to the constitu
ton 1t does not fall within the scope Of this
letter to re-argue the question. [ treat It as set
tied right, upon which the argument has been ex
haused.
"Mr Crittenden's territorial amendment offers,
so far as the Southern States and their slave proper
ty are concerned, to yield this right in three
fourths of the existing territory to save 1t in the
remaining fourth The citizens Of the Northern
States and their property to be protected In all
the Terrtory-the citizens of the Southern States
with their property IN one fourth Of It, Prohlbl-
tion of slave property north of 36 deg. 30 min
recognition and protection of it south Of that line
and the rule to apply to all territory hereafter
acquired-this is the principle OF the proposed
amendment. And the last named feature is vital.
If the territorial question be settled at ALL it
should be settled for all time and locked up in the
constitution. Otherwise there be no hope Of
exemption from incessant anti-savery agitation,
and the country would soon be thrown again into
the midst of political and financial convulsions.
The Southern States cannot afford to be shut off
from all possibility of expansion towards the
tropics by the hostile action of the federal govern
ment.
81 am sure that this plan of adjustment has been
offered, not as the full measure of our rights but
as patriotic concession, with the hope of obtain
ing promptly security and peace. In view Of the
knowledge we have ofthe progress of political anti
slavery opinion, and Of the manner in which the
federal government may be employed by hostile
influences, it falls far short of what would be re-
CURED in forming an original scheme of govern
ment or even in rcconstructing the old one At
ter the experience we have had Of the practical
working of the system, find it difficult to cherish
a we'll grounded hope Of permanent security except
by the introduction Of some element which would
give the South the power of self protection.
Il cannot suppose that Kentucky would con-
slider her rights, interests and honor safe under
any settlement less thorough than this proposed by
Mr. Crttenden. Any attempt to emascuate it by
from its scope after acquiring territory,
or by failing to recognize and protect slave pro-
perty south of the line by language clear and
explicit as that employed to prohibit it north OF
the line, or by yelling its provisions in ambiguous
phrases, could only result in agitations and
commissions l believe that Kentucky wants
thorough settlement or none, and one that any
plain man and honest mind can understand.
Il have not referred so the personal liberty bills
of the northern States, because they the sub
jects of State action; to various propositions
the fugitive slave law, because they re-
late only to Legislative action; the question
concerning the rig Int of sojourn and transit with
slave property; nor to several schemes Of consttu-
tiOna amendment which demand more tor the
South than the plan of Mr. Crittenden. | have
said that, in my opinion, thorough and satisfac-
tory amendments will be proposed to the States by
Congress; and have taken the plan which con-
cedes most to the northern States, and which pre-
sents the least that L suppose any portion Of the
South would accept. And now, sir, tell you
that the republicans in Congress, and fear in the
will never adopt it. They will rot re-
coenize in any form, directly or indirectly, proper
ty in slaves They will outlaw from the protec
ton of the common government property to the
value of four thousand millions of dollars and
which is interviewer with the very structure of
society in nearly half the States of the Union
They intend that the South shall never have any
portion in the territory Of the Union. Their fixed
policy is to WELD the federal government for anti
slavery purpose, and to crush aopposition by arms
| am not mistaken as to the purposes Of the re-
solute and controlling spirits of that organization
at this capital
''At an early day in the session, number of
gentlemen, fearing that no suitable guarantees
could be proposed by Congress, began to look to
the States and the people. The republicans hav-
ing control of the northern States, our friends
there, were, Of course, unable to move. An ear
nest effort was made here to secure a convention
of all the southern States The plan could not
command the requisite support, and was lost in
the rapid progress of events. Next, more hope
ful movement was set on foot, looking to an i'm
mediate conference of the border slaveholdine
States, (embracing Tennessee and North Carolina,
with the view to unite their counsels and avert the
danger of civil war; but here, also the obstacles
proved nsurmountable and the time for such ac-
hacr cod Each of hasa IL