Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-21

NATIONAL COVENANT PRoPosED.-Below we
print communication from a considerase cores
pendent which embraces points Of much interest,
with suggestions That will fall upon the popular
ear with the force to which the good sense they
embody justly entitle them:
The UrILITY OF A NATIONAL CovENANT.-It
has been suggested by the writer through various
channels, that perhaps the slavery question might
be settled by aconventIon of the people, convened
by Congress, whose conclusions should be en-
bodied in a NATIONAL COVENANT signed by all
the deputies, in pursuance Of authority from all
the State conventions.
The utility Of embodying their conclusions In q
covenant, will appear, first, from the sOLEMNITY
OF such an act 1t is certainly desirable that the
results Of the deliberations Of such assemblage
should be embodied in an impressive and solemn
form. This will give strength to the determining
ton Of every citizen to adhere faithfully and for
ever to those conclusions. This will inspire con-
ndence in the breasts OF all, that the settlement
will be faithfully adhered to, and will be final.
The deliberate and explicit engagements of both
parties-the North and the South-can be depend
ed upon.
Secondly. covenant can embrace a greater
range Of topics than mere legislation. Legislation
cannot such subjects the policy Of acquir-
ing Cuba, or the disposition Of territory hereafter
to be acquired whereas covenant could natu-
rally and advantageously embrace topics like
these. covenant might even advert to a few
topics that already Though not explicitly
some desire) disposed Of by the Constitution.
Thirdly. In case National Covenant should
comprehend a stipulation that Congress should
directly protect slavery in part of the Terrific
ries, "a feature which we should approve,) IL
might be necessary that a further stipulation
should be added that slavery should never be
protected In the remaining portion Of the Terri
tories. This might be necessary for the protection
Of the rights Of the North in the portion assigned
by the Convention to her.
IL is possible indeed Though we should not
recommend it) that by means Of q National Cove
nant compromise Of the mere territorial question
may be effected without legislation by Congress
The Covenant might contain stipulations like
these SIN all the territory south Of such lati-
t1de, (as the Convention may agree slavery shall
not be interfered with by Congress, but shall be
protected as property by all departments Of the
territorial government during its continuance;
while In all the territory north Of that latitude
slavery shall not be protected as property by Con-
gress, or by any department Of the territorial gov.
eminent, during its continuance" Thus all alb.
stract Questions In regard 10 the relation of the
Constitution to slavery in the Territories, would
be avoided. Thus the subject would also be
Withdrawn from Congress. In the southern Dor.
ton slavery might be protected by territorial
legislation, which the Supreme Court might sus
tain; and In the northern portion IL would b,
prohibited, not by law, but by the Covenant OF
the people. ABJ
New Haven, Jan. Is, 1861