New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-25
CONCESSION,

| The rule Of the majority, within constitutional
| limits, is the fundamental Law of republic. The
| policy Of the State should faithfully reflect that
minority convictions. Government by concession
implies a sort Of medium or muddle which is
neither one thing nor the other under which ex-
perience ceases to teach, and wherein no party
either feels or can be held responsible for what
ever may be the effect on the National or public
wel-being. Such rule is Of oil most unproftabIe,
nd would prove in the end least tolerabe.
In the present case, those who are calling on
the Republicans for CONCESSIONS and cursing their
Oh ,tinacy US melting civil war; claim to BIZ large
majority Of the American People. Having (ac-
cording to their theory quarrelled among them
selves and thrown away tue Federal Executive,
they now insist that those into whose hands it
has lapsed shall exercise the power thus entrusted
~ them, not according to their own principles
and convictions, but as it would be exercised by
those who have lost it. The Republicans may
hold the helm, provided they Will steer by the
Democratic cbart-n0t otherwise.
Concessions have usually been demanded by
uinorities for the protection of their endangered
rehts-msjoritles cannot need them. Yet here
ore three-fitbs go they claim of the American
People asking the other two-ffths to bind them
selves over to keep the peace toward the
sffrighted majority!
Tom Moore, in his " Orator Puff" sings Of
dispenser Of eloquence who had "two tones to
his voice" Of marked Diversity, and who, having
fallen into and become fast stuck 10 the miro,
called Justify, but equivocaly for help:
He cried Help me out Ia bis he and she tones
Hsp sou out e,isa Psdd, who passed What othsr
Way dheres uo q vOu hereedht youhop one anotnerF"
For the Wanted majority TO call on the minor
ity to make concessions, or they will break up
the Union, is rather more absurd than " Orator
Puff" even seemed 10 be.
If there be indeed majority Of the People in
favor Of Mr.. Crittenden's or any other Compro-
mise, little patience only is needed to give ef
feet to that msjority's will. If Three Millions Of
American voters want the Territories, wholly or
in part opened or left open ~ Slavery, they can
attain that end without asking any odds of the
Two Millions who believe in Slavery Restriction.
No compromise, no bargain, is needed to induce
light gases to ascend or water 10 run down bill,
and it is equally superfuous to dicker or con-
trive to give effect to the will Of d majority in
republic II il had no hold on power, it could
easily make one, as was shown ia tue election
and administration Of Jefferson; but majority
having the Supreme Court and both Houses of
the next Congress already secured only makes it.
self ridiculous by demanding guarantees that tho
minority shall not encroach on it's constitutions
rights.
And in fact what the great mass Of our oppo
nents seek by Compromise is to divest the Re
publicans Of moral rather than material power. |
Many Of them are apostates from loud.mOuthed |
professions of Free Soil, who are mortified and |
stung by the reflection that they have abjured |
their principles without securing the coveted re-
ward Of their recreancy. The thought that they |
have wounded their own seli-respect BY an apos-
tacy that has not even the poor consolation Of
he "tbrty pieces Of silver" gangrenes their souls;