New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-06
THE COMPROMISES CONVENTION.

The Border State Compromise Convention now
in session in Washington, may be safely set
down, even in advance, as certain to result IN
no substantial good. The seeding States have
taken no part in it, and their most influential
statesmen and journals have already expressed
their contempt for any such attempt to patch
up q truce between them and the United States
and their determination to reject any cOmpro-
mise that involves their return TO the Union on
aDy terms whatever. On the other hand the
leading organ of their allies and abettors at the
North, The N. Y. Herald of yesterday, with that
wisdom and moderation and polished elegance
which makes it 80 deserved fayOrite aud so
potent AN authority in the conservative CONNER
cal circles of the Northern cities thus describes
the members of the Conventions
The Border State Convention assembled at Wash
iugtOn yesterday, and after adopting resolution ex-
Guiding the press, and appointing Committee on Or
ganzaOn, II adjourned over TIL today From what
was done in the opening sitting of this body, we know
what 10 expect from it, This fear OF pubcityls not
consistent with the patriotic spirit and SiDgeness Of
purpose which should animate It's membee. But II Is
the extraordinary when we take into account The
antecedens Of the men Of whom it is composed. They
are for the most part the emanatiOns OF the gogHhop
and other low influences which direct the politics OF
their respective States They are, moreover many OF
them political fossils who would not have been again
disnterred bat for the shock given to the Union by
the secession movement
This cOntemptuOus denunciatiOn Of the s0-caled
4" Peace" Convention from the most authoritative
organ of the party at the North which clamors
loudest for peace and compromise, sufficiently
indicates that little is expected in that quarter
from its deliberations. While we do not our
selves regard the Convention in such an unfa.
vorable light 80 far as the personal character Of
the members is concerned, We agree with The
Herald in its low estimate OF its political i'm
portance. majority Of the men who compose
it belong to beaten and broken down factions
utterly rejected and thrust aside by the people,
and without prestige or influence in nineteen Of
the most important States of the Union.
Propositions from such a body for the settle
ment of the present difficulties can hardly have
much weight with the country. They Will newt
ably fall stillbOrn, Like the propositions already
brought forth in the Senate aud House Of Rep
resentatives not one of which, even if it can be
got through Congress, can be carried on an ap
peal TO the people.
rebel shareholders except amendments TO the Con.
stit,tOn involving perpetual guarantees for Slave.
~ in the States and in all the Territories south
of &C. SO, now possessed or hereafter to be &C.
quired by the United States. II is very doubtful
if even such amendments will be sufficient to
bring them back to their allegiance in view Of
their repeated declarations that they have no in
tention of remaining in the Union on any terms.
But before the business of amending the Consti-
tuition is really undertaken it may be well to
consider the important fact that when the ques-
ton is opened the Free States may have some
thing TO say on the subject So long as the
Constitution remains as it is, the Free States
done, to the letter, and in the spirit in
which it was made. But if the work Of
alteration shall ever begin, they will of course
have the right, and may have the inclination, to
insist upon amendments in csnsonance with their
own views and for the furtherance Of their
own interests. If there is Slave Power in this
country, there is also Freedom Power. The
Fathers Of the Republic ordained the COnsttu-
ton to establish justice, insure domestic tran.
"qmllity, and secure the blessings Of liberty"
They purposely excluded from it the very name
Of Slavery. What was done by the Fathers in
the eighteenth century will not be undone by
their sons in the nineteenth, but will rather be
carried on and perfected. If the Constitu.
ton is to be amended it can only
be by striking out the clauses which
provide for the return of fugitive slaves and for
the representation of three.flthS Of the slave
population. If any additions are to be made to
it, those additions "to insure domestic tranqu-
"y, and provide for the common welfare" must
contain an explicit denial Of the right Of Secs
sion, must prohibit OF once the further extension
of Slavery and must give to the General Govern
ment the power to take measures for the speedy
extinction OF that Disgrace to tho ngtiOn. and