Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1861-01-05
DOUGLAS COMPROMISES


The word compromise has different signiaoa.
tions in different latitudes. When the South talks
about compromises with the North, it means 70
be understood that it will keep all it has and get
all il can; when the North talks about comprOmis.
ing with the South, it means to intimate that Ii
will ask nothing for itself; but yield all the South
demands.
Douglas proposed plan of adjustment, which
we elsewhere give in full, is-as Of course, with
all other Constitutions amendments--a virtual
admission that that glorious Constitution which il
the perfection Of the wisdom of the fathers, is NOT
after all quite so immaculate as some would have
the people believe-that in sober sAdnsks it il Id
fact tefy defective, and needs no inconsiderabls
amohnt Of tinketiDg.
The first proposition Mr.. Douglas makes looks
to the settlement Of q mooted question which has
practically ceased to be regarded as q matter Of
much motnent-the question whether Congress
has or has not the power 10 legislate in relation 10
slavery in the territories. Having this settled in
the negative, provision is made that the status Of
a territory as it now exists, and of a new territory
as it may exist when acquired, shall remain the
same until admitted into the Union as States;
when the people of each shall decide for them
selves whether or not they will have slavery. This,
we suppose, is the Nor;h's share Of the Compro1
mise, and is OF such character that it's protector is
we'll entitled to the response, THANK you for
nothing"
The next proposition cleaves down With The
same blow State Sovereignty and Equal Suffrage.
1t not only DISTINGUISHES colored men from Federal
citizenship by a Constitutional provision, bu. in
sultingly proposes to interfere with State citizen
ship, and forbids Massachusetts, and Ohio admit
ting to the exercise of the State elective franchise,
any person Of African descent, hJwever slightly
tinged the blood.
Mr.. Douglas appearing to think the U. 8. gov
eminent rather destitute Of employment, not haY.
ing its time sufficiently occupied in attending To-
its own concerns, he further proposes to convert il
into an African Colonization Society, using lie
funds to strengthen slavery at home by removing
from contact with the slave population those STAN
ding incentives to unquiet and instruction, the
hateful free negroes.
His next suggestion is, to prohibit Congress
abolishing slavery where it has exclusive jurisdie.
ton a contradiction in terms. il would
seem-if the place is within the limits of o State
which permits slavehOlding; thus giving the slave
holding States, instead of Congress, actual jurit'
Qlct0n In the case.
The proposition next in order continues slavery
in the District of Columbia so long as Virginia or
Maryland continue to hold slaves; and following
this is an injunction laid upon Congress, forbid
ding it to abolish the inter-slave trade.
Then to provide better for the catching Of me-
groes, and the compensation of their masters whom
a fugitive is rescued or the people prevent tbs
officer from arresting him, a section is added
which will certainly secure the above named de-
sideratum; and the proposed compromises wind up
with a provision against amendments which would
be TO southern institutions.
We very much fear these compromises are not
sufficiently great to reconcile the South; but if she
is satisfied, and the North desires it, le. the Con-,
%stitution be so amended. We want the people TO.
write themselves out as they are; and if they are
30 contemptibly mean as to be willing to sell
themselves to the South even when they know
they will get cheated out of their pay, why let tho
fact be placed upon record. In case this is done,
the argument: which the Radical Abolitionists"
try to base upon the fact that neither the word
slave nor slavery, is to be found in the Constitu-
, ton. would be sadly at fault, for though the thing
itself would not be more really there, it would be-
there more fully, and unmistakingly labeled.
Mr.. Douglas in STOPPING to ask the North to ac--
cede to such propositions as those he has presen-.
ted, vindicates his claim to the pre- FIX in his sobrt-
quet OF the LitHe Giant, for it is a very small bust
ness for any one to be engaged in, and there 10
that about him which gets even nearer the ground
than his coat tail is said to do.