The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-14
Pssss PrOPSsltisas.

W uO IGISStSN PSeSS PtVPOohhOhos ~
these times Of excitement and trouble it
may be well occasionally to refer to the
past, to correct misrepresentation. 1t is
. significant fact, which should not be
forgotten, that every proposition for peace
esnanatcd from Democratic members of
Congress, and were rejected by the Re.
publicans, who we're determined to pre-.
cipitate the country into an unnatural
war. Republicans now admit that their
party is responsible for the defeat Of the
Crittenden compromise resolutions, which,
though unfavorable 10 the South, the
South was willing to accept in order to
preserve the Union and prevent the she'd
ding of fraternal blood. As late as the
18th Of last January Jefferson Davis, the
rebel President Of the Confederate States,
said on the floor Of the United States Sem
ate, and his statement has never been
contradicted:
"Long have offered Propositions for equal
ily in the Onion. Mt G'si6git RcpUbiiua hds
VDted tOr them. do not regard = constitution
al government failure. Regarding the set
Element Of difficulties, the President himself
says he has no pOwer-he has thrown it upon
yOu-he has told you that the responsibility il
upon you. II you decide right, the angel VI
peace will spread her wings.
mot 4 single Republican voted for
peace propositions" prelerring war and
the dismenberment Of the Union to an
amicable and honorable settlement Of our
national troubles. Mr.. Cobb, q member
Of the Lower House from Alabama, said :
81 am not a secessiouist. l desire peace,
predicaied IN the principles Ofthe Constitution.
| II you can give US that, you can help us re-
main 10 the Union Ms long a. the sun shall
shine and my prayer shall be sent forth for
the perpetuiiy Of the government"
Was it unreasonable to beg for "peace
predicated on the principles Of the Con.
stitution," as the Southern members did !
On the 9TH Of January Senator ToOmbs
said:
1.-THE South asks only an equality in the
Union. He himself was willing To defend the
Constitution with the halter around his neck. v
Yet the Republicans, by their vote,
manifested an unwiIIingness to recognize
the South as an equal in the Union. Mr..
Hill, Of Georgia, expressed the belief that
the South desired peace, and earnestly
but, alas fruitlessly, appealed for concil'
iation. lie said:
"Let the people have time to speak. lie
would await the result with confidence aud
hope. lie wished il borne in mind that he be
lOnged not to the class Of men who would dis
member the CUniederacy. lie would Us soon
take Q glass vessel and crush it to pieces u
make II q better one, as TO attempt ~ make u
better government by crushing the present
into atoms"
Mr.. Gilmer, Of North Carolina, was will
ling to make any sacrifice, consistent with
honor, to preserve the Government, and
restore peace and harmony to the greatest
nation and people on the earth. Such
were the feelings that animated the South
ern members Of Congress, and they ap-
pealed to the Republican members to cul-
tivate kind, generous and conciliatory
spirit. These sentiments were echoed by
the Southern press, and responded to by
the Democratic and conservative press Of
the free States. Meetings were held in
every quarter to arouse the public mind
to the necessities which the momentouS
crisis demanded. But the Republican
press only ridiculOd the attitude Of the
South, dared them to secede, and became
still more violent and insulting. When
Seward declared his readiness to make
reasonable concessions and the Albany
Erening Journal favored an honorable
compromise, for the cake Of the Union,
the New York Tribune declared that
they did not represent the sentiment of the
Republican party, and that "they pre-
Jerred their principles to fifty Unions" !
The Republicans everywhere Endorsed the
assertion of the Tribune, and severely
lectured Mr.. Seward and the Journal
These are incontestible facts, and clearly
prove that the Republican politicians are
entitled to large share Of the response.
bility for the present war. Let the peo-
pie remember them, and at the proper
time rebuke the authors Of our troubles.