Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-03-13

on thesubect at ALL He gives usto understand that
there will never be peace until that question is set
tled it cannot be settled except by amendments to
the Constitution and hence he proceeds to tell US
how such amendments can be obtained. He tells
us that, these amendments 10 the Constitution may
be obtained in either Of the modes prescribed in the
instrument the one IS where Congress takes the
initiative as we did the other day, and submits the
proposed amendments to the States; the other IS
where the States take the initiative, and demand
national convention to amend the Constitution.
The President says that he prefers national con-
vention as the most appropriate mode but hi has
no nsuperable objections to the other mode, and ne
will not oppose bet gives us to understand he will
favor the ratification by the States of the amend
ment already proposed prohibiting any future amend
ment whereby Congress may be authorized to inter
fere with slavery in the States. He assigns for his
preference for national convention very plausi.
BILE, in fact very satisfactory reason 1t is that
if Congress originated the amendments it might not
devise such as the people would like, whereas if you
allow the people to take the initiative, they will
make such amendments as they want The Presi-
ident stands pledged by his inaugural to allow the
people to devise their own amendments to the Con-
sttution and not to interfere WITH but rather to ia
vor their adoption, whatever they may be-"
What is the inference from all this? Inasmuch
as all our troubles arise from the attempt on the
part of Congress to prohibit slavery without the
sanction of express provision of the Constitution,
and the counter attempt on the part of Congress to
protect slavery without an express provision OF the
Constitution authorizing it. therefore such an amend
must be made will settle the slavery question by
an express provision and he will not oppose the
amendment. Hence we are authorized to infer that
if the people do originate such amendments to the
Constitution as will settle the slavery question
if the settlement be repugnant to the principles
of the republican party in violation Of the Chicago
PLATFORM and aga inst the right of Congress to pro-
hibit slavery in the Territories Mr.. Lincoln and his
administration will not oppose hut favor it.
What more can be asked? If the people, when
they come to amend the Constitution, shall deter
mine that Con gresS shall have no power upon the
subject of slavery anywhere except to surrender fu-
gitive slaves ard to prohibit the African slave trade
Mr.. Lincoln will not oppose it. If the people shall
say that it shall be duty Of Congress to protect slave
~ everywhere in the Territories, Mr.. Lincoln is
pledged not to oppose that Ii the people shall say
in their amendment that Congress shall have power
to prohibit slavery in the Territories, Mr. Lincoln is
pledged not to oppose that. If on the contrary the
people shall say that they in favor OF the Crit
tenden proposition dividing the territory by geo
graphical line the principle Of an equitable Fartl-
ton, Mr.. Lincoln says he will not oppose that. He
is in favor of such amendments as will settle the
question forever. by an express provision OF the
Constitution and he leaves the people and their rep
resentatives to devise what those amendments shall
be, and he will accept them cheerfuy, and not
throw any distractions in the way Of their adoption.
Taking these two propositions together, find
much cause for hope for encouragement, in this in
augural FIRST. his policy will be peaceful and not
aggressive; he will do act that tends to collision,
but will modify his course always with the view and
the hope of peaceful solution and second, in s.
much as the difficulties arise out OF the absence OF
an express provision the slavery question, he will
favor such measures as will enable the people to set
lie that question by an express provision in the Con-
stituton.
Now, sir far be it from me to intimate that the
President in these recommendations has not been
faithful to the principles Of his party, as we'll as to
the honor and safety of his country. Whatever dc.
parture from party platforms he has made in these
recommendations should be regarded as an evidence
of patriotism, and not an act of intidcity. In my
opinion, if have understood the inaugural Alright,
he has sunk the partisan in the patriot, and he is
entitled to the thanks Of all conservative men to
that extent do no. wish it to be inferred from
anything have said or have omitted to say that
have any political sympathy with his administration,
or that | expect that any contingency can happen
in which may be identified with 1t. | expect to
oppose his administration with all my ere gy on
those great principles which have separated parties
in former times; but this one question, that OF
preserving the Union by peaceful solution Of our
present d,lliculties-that Of preventing any future
difficulties by such amendment of the Constitu-
ton as will settle the question by an express pro-
viSon-f understand his true intent and meaning,
am with him.
Mr.. President, if the result shall prove that,
have Put wrong construction on the inaugural,
shall deplorc the consequences which he!ligerent
and aggressive policy may lntict upon our beloved
country, without being responsible in any degree for
the disasters and c,lalnlies which may follow. |
believe have placed upon it its true Interpretation.
know have put the patriotic construction on it.
believe the action Of the President will justify that
construction. will never relinqush that belief and
hope until he shall have done such acts render it
impossible to preserve the peace Of the country and
the unity CT the States. SIR, this Union cannot DC
preserved by war. 1t cannot be cemented by blood
1t can only be preserved by peaceful means. And
when our present troubles shall have been settled
future difficulties only be prevented by conSttu-
tiona amendments which will put an end to all con-
troverSy by express provision. These remedies and
representatives. have been clearly marked out by the
| President in his inaugural. All ask is that his
Administration shall adhere to them and carry them
out in good faith. Let this be done, and all who
join in the good work will deserve and they will re-
eelve the applause and apprnbation of grateful
country. No partisan advantage can be taken, no
political capital should be made, out of generous
ACT Oh noble patriotism. While expect to oppose
the Administration upon all the political issues OF
7 the day, trust shall never hesitate to do Justice
to those who, by their devotion to the Constitution
, and the Union show that they love their country
: more than their party
SPANISH REJOICING OVER AMERICAN TROUBLES
The Paris Constitutionnel publishes the following
in letter from its Madrid correspondent:
1.-The great drama now in progress IN the United
States of America is the text of all conversations in
the pnlitical circlas Of AIadrid