Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-01-09

Can be Dones
There are a great many propositions to solve
the political troubles of the country, but few look
feasible or practicable The most acceptable is
the proposed amendments to the Constitution
suggested by Mr. CRITTENDEN. They have the
advantage Of being peace offerings from the
South and coming from the Representative of a
State which has always been loyal 10 the Consti-
tuition and the Union. In the fierce struggles of
1870 and ls5o, when the danger of disunion was
almost as imminent as now, the tavorite son OF
Kentucky stepped into the breach and saved the
country Perhaps another gallant son OF the
same State at the present time may be the prov
idential agent to pilot US safely through this
most critical period in our history as ma
ton. The Republicans object to this PROPOSE
ton for the reason that it recognizes property
in man; but, at the same time, they profess indy
ing devotion to the Constitution, as it IS This
position looks acknowledgements Ii Is
So The Constitution distinctly recognizes the
right of property in man. 1t does it in providing
for the rendition of fugitives from labor, and IN
making slave property basis of representation
1t admitted the right, again, in permitting the
slave trade to continue twenty years from the
period of its adoption. The Republicans can not
refuse to acknowledge the right of property IN
man, SO long as they remain loyal to the Consti-
tuition The compromise is fair one between
two contending sections, with directly opposite
views as to the true theory of the organic law
The South claim the right to take and hold their
property in all the Territories, while the Republi
cans, the dominant party in the North, assert
that neither Congress nor Territorial Leglsa-
lature has the right to give legal existence to
slavery in any of the Territories. Mr.. CRETESDES
proposes to settle the dispute by dividing the ter
ritory interdicting slavery north of Sc degrees 80
minutes, and permitting it south OF that line, but
in all cases allowing the people to adopt or pro-
hibit slavery as they may elect when they form
State Constitution. Is not this an Iuitib divi-
sion7 Is lit just to ask people who have COM
mon right to the Territories with ourselves to
surrender aIIs Is it generous in US to demand
itl But. say the Republicans, restore the Mis-
sour COMPROMISE, which, willie inteVlictng
slavery north Of &c degrees so minutes is silent
in regard to it, admission south of t'rst line In
this regard the Missouri Compromise and the
CKrrrESDES plan are alike, only one expresses d.
rectIy what was implied in the other. Why the
necessity of prohibiting slavery in any portion of
the Territories, if it was not conceded that the
right existed for it to go in all, or where it was
not nterlicteJ2
Another objection to restoring the Missouri
Compromise line is raise'l by the Republicans
They say it is inconsistent in the Democrats to adj
vOcate policy which they Helped overthrow upon
the ground of its unconstitutionality. This OBJ
lection might be urged with some force if it was
proposed to restore the COMPROMISE by Congress
sional enactment Its repeal was urged upon the
ground it was inconsistent with the Constitution
as it is. This difficulty Mr.. CRlTrrxDES obviates
by making his propositions amendments to the
Constitution. This objection being removed, the
measure, as a compromise, can be consistently
sustained The Northern Democracy believed
that non-intervention with slavery in State, Ter
ritOry and the District of Columbia was the true
policy for settling that vexed question. They be-
Eeve now. Upon this issue they were beaten
in the last Presidential canvass 1t is not their doc
trine then that is in controversy. The contest
refuse to recognize the right of property in man
and, therefore, insist upon the exclusion of slavery
from all the territory of the United States; and
the South who are united in demanding equal
rights in the Territories. The preservation of the
Union and the perpetuation of our unequaled in
ssirutions, is the object to be gained by the pro-
posed compromise between those contending par
ties. Ii demands concessions upon both sides, and
BIZ mutual admissions it maintains the honor
of elch. This determination of the question
removes it from the halls of Congress 1t is a
permanent settlement of the controversy and
promises peace 10 the country. We believe these
objects can be accomplished by the CRrTTENDEN
amendments, and it is for that reason we advocate
their adoption. The South will never yield more
than that. and should not the North go half way,
to prevent the destruction of government, in
the maintenance of which, is involved the pro-
gress of civilization and Christianity? COnce1-
ing that the expansion of slavery is an evil is it
not wisdom to yield the lesser to prevent the
greater?