Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-15
The National Crisis.

X.
The conservative aspects of Mr. Stewards speech Of
Saturday, as follows;
He valves discussion of the right of secession" and
make quasi concession Of the impolicy OF coercion
by admitting that but little good is to be expected from
its discussion and that he does mot know what the
Union would be worth if saved by the sword"
He apparently recans the doctrine of the irrepress
bic conflict" by saying that 'the different forms of labor
If slavery were perverted purposes of political am
bition need not constitute element Of strife in the
coniederacy."
He distinctly states that RspuJlieanism is subOrdi-
nate to Unon as everything else is and ought to BE- Re-
plJlicaaism Democracy every other political name
and hng-aH are subordinate, and they ought to disdp-
pear in the presence Of the great question Of UioH and
adds that so far as he is concerned at shall be So" In
accordance with this sentiment Mr. Seward offers Ito
meet prejudice with Cancellation, exacton with conces-
sion which surrenders principle and violence with
the right hand of peace"
Coming then to details he relates the concessions that
he is willing to make
lst Recognition of tho supreme authority of each
State within its limits to the right of property
in slaves also of the Fugitive Slave law binding IN
every State with suggestion that it be modified so as
not to obhge private persons assist in its execution
and to protect eemen from being carried into slavery
lie also recommends the repeal of every State law, rea-
ting to fugitive slaves, which the Constu-
ton of Congress or any law of Congress passed in con-
formity with it,
%. He not only is willing to maintain the Consuu-
tona provision that slavery existing any State be left
to the exclusive of that State but will vote for an
amendment declaring that it shall not by any future
amendment, be so altered as to confer on Congress
power to abolish interfere with slavery in any State
Sd The question of slavery in the Territories he is
willing to have determined practical grounds. If
Kansas is admitted with the Wyandoe Constitution, and
the organic acts of all the other Territories could be re-
pealed he would be in favor of admitting two States
which should include Them with the privilege of DIVISION
when necessary into several convenient States but such
reservation being unconstitutional he would, after the
secession excitement has subsidized favor Convention to
amend the Constitution in such way may be considered
desirable.
4,b lie is favor of proper laws to prevent and pnn-
ian inyasions of States by citizens of other States.
5th As further bond Of Union he is in favor of two
great Pacific railways, one Northern and the other
Southern.
After making these offers Of Cancellation and eonces-
SION Mr.. Seward promises to lend the Government his
aid "n whatever prudent vet energetic cfrts it shall
make TO preserve the public peace and to maintain and
preserve the Unon advising only that practise as far
as possible the utmost moderation forbe4rance and
citation"
He adds to this the following: 'If in the expires.
son Of these views have not proposed what is desired
or expected by many others they will do the justice
to believe that am far from having suggested what
in many respects would have been in harm ouy with
cherished convictions Of my learned early from
Jefron that in political affairs we cannot always 10
what seems 10 us absolutely best. Those with whom
must necessarily act entertaining different views, have
the power and the right Of carrying them into prac-
tee We must be content to lead when can, and
20 follow when We cannot lead and if cannot at
any time DO for our country all the good that wish,
We must be satisfied with doing for her all the good
that we can"
The aspects Of the speech in which it falls ar;hest
short of the requirements Of the South are that it fails
Of AN reference TO slavery in the Dstrc. Of Columbia,
tie Arseuas Dock-yards &c, OF the government that
II rreterus entirely the question of the commerce IN
slaves between the States that it offers no constitution
al guarantee to the South the way Of balance of pow
e either in the Senate in the Executive department.
tlt it postpones National Convention to amend the
Constitution one two or three years that it offensive
y audes 10 the part that slaves might be expected
TO play in the event of ciywar and that it character
ICES the movements in the South as seditious.
rNExrEcrED And oNlSoUs ACTION BY PENNSYLVANIA.
In our issue of yesterday morning We cited the vote
70 the House of Representatives of the Pennsylvania del
egaton on the motion of Mr. Etheridge, regarding the
Border State compromise gratifying evidence of the
willingness Of that leading Commonwealth to give its aid
in adjusting existing difficulties upon reasonable and
jus; basis !, is with very great concern that we have
since seen the action Of the Pennsylvania Legislature last
Friday and Saturday On the former of these days,
series of resolutions passed the Senate, in which, after
giving utterauce certain generaes expressive OF fra
terna feeling Gc and declaring that the right Of State
to secede is one that cannot be acknowledged" they
affirm the duty of coercion" in the following terms
Rss9'reE That the Constitution of the United tates
of America contains all the powers necessary to the main
tenance of los authority and 70 IS the solemn and oH
Imperative dtg Of the government 20 adopt and carry
into effect whatever may be necessary TO thgt
end and the faith and the pCuer of Pennsylvania arc
hereby pledged the support OF such measures ia any
manner and 30 aHg efsut that may be required OF her
by the constituted authorities of the United States.
E.so1rfd That all plots conspiraces and wdriike dem
otratio against the United States, in any section of
the country reasonable in their character and Whd
srr D0r Of this government necessary Tor their sup
preston should be applied to that purpose without hest
taton or delay.
We have aci,ed portions of these resolutions for the
purpose of bringing distinctly into view what we
conceive TO be their real meaning. The first adopted
by vote Of 81 to 6-the second by "a to 4-the Senate
having previously voted down conservative resolutions
offered by Mr. Welsh.
There can be no misunderstanding the fact that these
resolutions if adopted by the lower Eouse, will place
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in direct hostility to
the Commonwealth of Virginia. The latter through its
Legislature has protested against tie policy of coercing
seeding State and has pledged lis whole power
sis, any such effort The former demands that the au-
to,ity Of the Federal Government shall be asserted and
pledges its whole power in aid of such assertion Thus
we stand face face with nearest and most relied
on neighbor of the North
Nor was this i-starred a, on Of the Senate all On
the same day, in the lower House. the following resOlu
ton was passed by vote of 80 to 20;
Rey9ysG That We affirm the doctrines Of the Chicago
platform expressing the sentiments Of large ma
o-y of the people OF Pennsylvania and that we have
no reason to ignore ID. We do not believe that any
thing in political condition demands concessions
our part.
Immediately after the adoption Of the foregoing resO
luton another was offered by Mr.. Bowyer, of Berks
for the appointment of select committee to report
bill to repeal portions of laws of Pennsylvania nuify
ing the fugitive slave law Of Congress This resolution
wa, indefinitely postponed, by--yeas 49, nays 2Gl
Such action as this on the mart of PENNSYLVANIA cam