The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-02-07
VII Cnr,nronlinee


-sS-S--
why Compromised
Just now the country is resonant with the
cry Of compromise, concede, sacrifice, sub
NIT, alweys directed to the north. The north
ern people are fairly badgered into the idea
that they are the offensive and attacking party
and that their patriotism and love of country
should induce them to promise-compro-
mise compromise for the sake Of the Union?
WE'LL we are willing to compromise, when we
see it viii effect anything, and we have res
ponsible party to compromise with, Until
then, the Republican party or the northern
states have nothing to do with compromising
They have only to do Il cir duty-act, in good
faith, up to all the requirements Of good and
loyal citizens, and await the issue. Neither
the Republican party nor the northern States
are at the bar to be tiled as criminals or de-
linquents They have not plotted OIL done,any
wrong against the country or any section oi
it. We hope that neither the bluster Of tbs
South nor the accusations Of northern Demo
Gratis will succeed in Tightening us from our
propriety, and making us believe that we
have committed some great and henious crime
in exercising the rights of suffrage, and yo-
ting for whom we please.
If the border States and the Democracy
wish to compromise, let them bring on then
propositions, and give bonds that the South
will live up to the compromise when it Is
agreed upon, and we may then consider il
| But as it is now, the States that have made
all the trouble, and have seceeded already
have not even asked us to compromise. If we
yield half the rights and franchises OF Free
men to-day as a basis Of compromise, what
guarantee have we that the same operation
will not be enacted to-mo rrow, and we be call
ed upon to yield the other half, as basis fol
another compromise. A compromise, with tht
present doctrine of Democracy acknowledged
that any State has the Constitutional right &c
secede whenever She sees fit with or without
any cause, is simply nonsensical Compio
mise must bind both parties to it, or it is nul
and void
We have had compromises with slavery
/
promise, and it had it. Slavery demanded the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and it haC
that. The South clrims the constitutional
right to commit troosou-to dissolve the Unior
to subvert the Government at any time
and on any pretext as a condition precedent
to treating st all for compromise. This very
fact is sufficient ofitself to prevent US from
entering into any compromise with the South
Becauae, there is, and can be, no stability il
any Government or Union SO founded, or rath
er so without foundation. We may concede
everything asked Of us--sottle all difficulties
| to the mutual satisfaction Of all parties, after
lengthy and anxious treaty, and yet the mex
morning we may awake mil the dim OF conten
ton, strife and dissolution, and the party VIII,
has occasioned all this trouble may demanc
new concessions, without subjectipg itself tt
animadversons or blame,
We are more and more convinced, the NOR,
we think of this matter, chat any further con
cessions or compromises are useless A worth
less and lifeloss Union may be preserved
little while, but the great question remains IN
settled and unrCached. That question is
have we 4 Federal Government of suficien
vitality to yindicate its own existenoe--t
yindica.e its right to protect itself against reb
els and traitors, or not. If the government i
myth without reality Of existence; withou
life and without power, aud the Union only al
aggregation of discordant materials, with nj
bond of unity save the temporary within or ca
price Of the various members, the sooner WI
know it the better This is the question tina
must be settled, and il had better be now thar
hereafter. If the government is noH-entity
and the Union myth, it is useless TO attemp
to preserve either They are not worth pre-
selvation. If the revolutions and civil wan
that have desolated Mexico and the Soutl
American Republics,ar9 to be re-enacted here
with no general or controlling power then We
must say that our foreiathers went through thu
ordeal Of the Revolutionary war to very LITTLE
purpose. A provincial dependence upon tht
crown Of England like that Of the Canadas
would be preferable TO that Of our condition
to-day, if the theory Of the secessionists anC
N orthern Democrats is correct--it there is NJ
strength in the Union to resist the first attemp
of disappointed politicians at dissolution, ut
power in tie Government to defend itsel
agains! the assaults Of rebels and traitors. lie
US have these points decided now, ana when i
is authoritahyely settled that we exist as ma
ton, only at The option or sutferance Of any ont
Of the several States, or at the option of a few
politicians ofany Of the several States, we car
compromise, concede, secede or adopt any 9th
er course that the whim Of tie hour may die
tate. Until that is settled we are in favor Q
sticking to the Union and the Constitution a.
they are.