Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-02-11

renounce Republican principles for the
sake Of tho Union. 10 this readiness
the Senator differs totally from the
almost Incompatible majority Of the
Republican party, and f'om the Presi-
dent eIect-N r. Tribune.
II any body had told Us six months
siuce, thet Mr.. Seward icoaid be induced
to make the turn thus accredited 10 him
by the Tribune, not even The most skep-
tical would hive believed 1uch { thing
possible. But wonders will never cease.
1t is much to be regretted that Mr. Sew
ard, ThusIow Weed, Simon Cameron,
Thomas Corwis, Wn. Kellogg, Cassius
NJ. Clay and other Republican leaders,
had not paused 10 their downward and
awfully ruinous course several years
ago. II is they and others of like ilk,
who by their persistent aud untiring
warfare on the South and Southern In
situations, have brought about the pres.
ent arrangement OF affairs; aud although
constantly aud earnestly warned by the
Democracy Of the dire results which
would certainly follow their acts, st'll
pushed on step by step, until they aP-
preached the very verge Of that awful
precipice upon whose brink they nov
stand trembling with horror aud from
which they now recoil.
They now zee with clear vision the
nature OF the work in which they have
been engaged. The scales have fallen
from their eyes, but, ala, We fear their
repentance comes too late, and that no
effort Of theirs can roll back the tide
which their pestilcntisl breath has put
in motion. They can retrace their own
steps as individuals, tut We fear they
will not be able to counteract the effect
which their reasonable teachings have
had upon others. Personal repentance
Of sin committed is an easy matter when
compared with repairing damages which
one has caused through large influence.
The incendiary who applies torch to
a city, and lays it in ruins, may after
wards bitterly and truly repent Of hav-
ing committed the deed, though that
act Of repentance never can restore a
particle OF the extensive damage 80 per-
pctratcd.
We can hope that the conversion Of
these leading spirits may have some
effect for good in the present crisis, but
we fear we are hoping against hope.
Another Convention.
1t is with pleasure that We notice
strong signs OF returning reason on the
part of members Of the Republican par
ty-and particularly Of leading men anc
intlnen iisiae We recorded the CONVERSION
Of the chicago journal, which now goe!
in for the Border State Compromise,
and to-day We are happy to inform ou'
readers that that able Repnb lean organ
the De Moines Commonwealth has Ia
ken the same manly position. The ed
itor of that aper is among those who
prefer the Union to the Chicago Plat.
form. While that paper is not prepared
to ,ndorsc the CGittendcn amendment
it expresses favorable opinion OF the
"Border State
The Commonwealth further favor.
the following course, and it 10 right anC
just. lat OTHER Republican papers il
Iowa follow the good example Of TIA,
paper. Read this extract; it is souno
to the core:
Congress, in our judgment, is not the
place 10 seek a settlement Of this ques
ton not single member of that body
has been elected with reference TO it
and, besides, they have other matters O
legislation which must necessarily occu
py large portion Of their attention
We have great confidence in the ability
OF the people to settle the matter in dis
pute, i, they can only dislodgs it from
the hands Of tho politicians who are
now managing it. and take It into their
own keeping. The masses of the peo-
pie are for The U"on, and zoe ,cant t/seiy
decision upon this question. With tits
view, We propose that National Con.
ycntion be called tn naat sauna t;,,o
during the coming Summer, in the city
OF Arlington, to which delegates sha oil
be sent iom the several States, and that
this convention devise plan Of settle.
ment, which plan shall be Submitted tc
the people for their approval or reiec
ton. By such course We shall take
the question out of Congress, where il
does not properly belong, and where The
daily discussion Of it increases the tx
element of the country, aud adds to the
difficulties Of . settlement. The dele
gates to the proposed convention would
OF course be our most experienced anC
able men, and being elected with direc
reference to the matters in dispute
would July reflect the views of the PEG
pie upon the same, and would be adj,
more easily to fix upon some plan tina,
would DC acceptable to the country.
Another advantage to this plan would
be to bring the questions at issue direct
y before the people where she constan,
dis ussion OF them, would serve to Ell
tighten the public mind and prepare tn,
WAY for a fair and oasy .3;.