The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1861-02-14
THE STATE OF THE NATION.
Letter from Aenator Grimes.
WASH ,NGToH, Jan. 2Sth, !

MY DEAR SIR :-iOur esteemed fav0l
Of the 18th inst has reached me.
There appears to be general misun
derstandiog in the public mind as to the
present condition of affairs at the Capital
Of the nation, and especially 10 relation
to the demands Of the disunionists upon
the Union men of the North | find
that the impression prevails quite exten.
sively that the "Crittendeu proposition"
as it is called, is simply re establish
ment Of the Missouri compromise line.
This 10 very far FROM the truth
Mr.. Critteaden proposes to extend the
lines of 800 80 through to the Pacific
ocean, and to agree by Constitutional
provision to protect aud defend slavery
in oil Of the Territory of the United
States South Of that line. Nor is this
oil. lie nosc proposes that this protection
to Nauery shall be extended to all Ter.
rstory that hereafter may be acquired
South OF that line. Th, sum and sub.
stance of the whole matter is that We are
asked for the sake of peace, to surrender
all Of our cheris ed ideas on the subject
of slavery, and agree, in effect, to provide
save code for the Territories south of
$50 30 and for the Mexican provinces
a. soon as they shall be broug ght within
our jurisdiction. 1t is demanded of US
thas we shall consent to change the Con-
stitution into genuine pro.slavery in-
strument, and to convert the govern
ment into a great slave breeding, slavery
extending empire.
Every man bl'ssed with ordinary FORE
sight must see what would be the newt
able and almost immediate consequence
OF the adoption of this provision as a
part OF the Constitution. 1t would dis.
close itself to be the very reverse of
measure Of peace. Raids would at once
begin upon the provinces of Mexico; war
would eusue the annexation of Sonora,
Chihushus, Cohahuils, Neuvalcou, Tam
aulipas and other provinces would follow;
they would be converted, at the instant
Of their acquisition, from free into slave
Territories, and ultimately be admitted
into the Union as slave States Much
as l love peace aud seek to pursue it
am not prepared to pay this price for it.
Let no man in Iowa imagine for mo.
ment that ths Crittenden proposition is
for The mere restoration of the Compro.
mise line Of 1920. 1t is simply aud tru-
~ the application of the Breckiuridge
platform to all Territory now acquired or
herea/tcr to be acquired south of 800 3O',
and would result, If adopted, in the ac
QUESTION and adoption of new Slave
States for the ostensible purpose of re.
storing what is called the equilibrium of
the sections. The restoration of the
Missouri Compromise line has been offer
ed to the disunionists and contemptuous-
IL rejected Their maxim is "rule or
1 confess that l louh -:.,. -----z- q
upon the course Of Northern sympathiz-
ers with the disunionists. Six years ago
they assisted to break down compro-
mise Of thirty four years standing, and
defended their sction by what they
claimed to be the ri hit of the people to
determine for themselves what should be
the character Of their domestic institu-
tlons. There was much plausibility in
their argument. They made a party
creed OF it. Now, after the lapse of six
short years, they have became SO pro-
slavery in their opinions that they are
willing to ignore the past and recognize
aod protect slavery 10 the very country
which they boosted that their own act
had ade free.
The are other provisions in the Crit
tenden resolutions which to my mind are
wholly inadmissible, but let them pass
NY objection is to any compromise. l
VIII never consent to compromises or to
The imposition of terms upon me or the
people represent under threats Of break
ing up the Government. l will mot
give reasons under conpulsiou." No
'urer or more effectual way could be de.
slsed tor converting this into revolu-
'lonary Gov rnment than the adoption of
compromise expedient at this time.
Eight months ago the four political
parties OF this country, in their several
announced several abstract
propositions in their platforms which
each believed to be true. and which, if
acted upon, would in their opinions most
'ooduce to the prosperity Of the whole
country. The issues of these propositions
vas submitted to the people through the
ballot boxes. One party was successful
u either might have been but for the
ack Of votes, and now one Of the van.
lu'sheo parties seeks to overthrow the
government because they we're not them |
eives the victors, and will only consent
o stay their work of demolition upon the
condition that we will agree to make
heir platform, which is abhorrent to us.
part OF the CONSTITUTE IN Of the country. |
After taking their chances for success
md being defeated in q fair and manly
contest, they now seek to overthrow the
government under which they live and
Q which they owe allegiance. Howra ran. !
dly are We following in the foo,stens nf
ne Governments Of Mexico and South
America? - o01
do not believe that the public mind
now ina condition to calmly consider
90 great questions involved in the
proposed But suppose the
'eopse werswfiifng and anxious that such
tc the Consultation should |
e submitted 70 them; suppose they we're
Q Q proper frame Of mind to weigh them
nd !, decide upon their adoption, suppose
nrlr adoption was not attempted 10 be
nfoFced BY threats. can We have any as
ursnce that this is the last demand to
y made upon ms? Can We be certain
hat fuccoss in this instance win mt