The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1861-01-17
Ths Cri,teunen AmprdmePt.


The Criltendea Amendment.
There is much talk at the present time
abouttke Crittenden propositions to amend
the Consultation, and very consi Ierabie
number of our fellow citizens favor their
adoption as a basis Of settlement. We are
not among this number, nor do we see
how any man who Consciorlious'y voted
for Lincoln, Douglas, or Bell, can be. We
oppose their adoption for the following
reasons:
Ist. Bsc,use compromise Of correct
principle is always wrong Right should
never be compromised but always main
tained under all circumstances and at all
hazard. Tie principle embodied ia the
amendment has been declared against by
an overwhelming majority Of the Amerl'
can public, and TO yield t. it now is to sac
rifice the Highest and noblest principle OF
oar government the right OF the maJp'l
~ to rule; besides to Yell to the d"mand
of lactious minority in this instance, is
but 10 prepare the way for them 10 in
crease their demands encourage wrong
and demoralize right.
2Ld. The States now in rebellion a.
gaiust the government do not demand IT,
but on the contrary boldly Avow their
determination to accept no compromise
The Crittenden propositions are not. there
fore. equal to the crisis. They are pow
erless to save thu Cotton State; and as
the prescription will not cure the disease
we may as well s,ve ourselves the disgrace
and humiliation OF its taking.
ST. We oppose these nnendm nts be
cause they propose to increase the Consti-
tutional guarantees Of slavery because
they propose to extend slavery and restrict
freedom by establishing 1t "in oil the ter
ritori4s Of ths United States South Of 3G
deg. 80 miu,," depriving Congress Of It's
power over the subject aud plsdglng "the
territorial legislatures 10 protect it,"
whether tn, people want j! or not. The
verdict Of the American people has b en-
entered against This proposition.
Protection to slavery in the Territories
is lust what divided the Democratic part
at Charleston when the South sought I,
introduce II into the platform Of the Ma
tional Democracy. The North. almost a
one man, resisted it, breaking up the part.
and giving mp their power is the govern
ment, rather than recognize, eGea an dpdr
~ platform, so outrageous q doctrine
This, too, was the proposition upon viii
the late Presidential contest was fought
The victory was complete aud overwhem
ing. Even the people Of the slave States
by large majority Of the popular vote
set the seal OF condemnation upon il
while the free North, by majoities un
heard Of, repudia,cd it rs heresy. ]
our own Stalo the proposition was rebuse
bya vote Of 430,0U0 to 10000. Doe
any sane man believe that this people co
be made to slullify themselves-to vo'e {,
the protection OF, and institution Of SLAYER
in the territories, when their own judy
ments and consciences condemn the &C
Is it supposed that men are, by 'hrea
aud treason, to be driven into the suppo
OF measures they abhol? Are we Of I'll
North, who love freedom better .hu
slavery, to be compelled to prefer the la
Ter? Are we TO be asked To do that whit
the immortal Clay. in a crisis little le
fearful than the present. solemnly derlarr'
"No power, no earthly power, could con
pei him 10 do2' Are we TO admit that II
policy Of the fathers was mintaken on
When the American people can
brought TO do this, then are they se'is /
decd; thea will VIC believe American ho
ora mere name and American character
song.
4th, Weoppose tho Criltendcn amen
ments because they guarantee to the Sou
rights which they deny us and increase
already dangerous political superiority.
This they do by making the CONSTITUTE
carry tho purely loca institution of !
South into and fix it upon the territory
New Mexico, il may De against the will
the people, while il does not oa'ry IN
aud fix upon thu territory the local La
or institutions Of the North. We arc
ware that some will urgs that unless t
South are permitted to carry their sla
property into the territories and hol The
M such they have not equal rights vi
the North; but this is iaIlacy. aud
sch il right We quote tho remarks
Thomas H. Benton upon the sube
speaking Of "elualily." The misera
delusion that is now ringing in our r.
and threatening 10 divide the Republic
Mr.. Benton said:
"Tbo phase is an eqnivoca,ion. Eve
citizen can carry his property, nuw, VIII
ever he goes, only he cahnt carry the
ssih him that makes il a property, aud
waai of wl,iah IA ooaaaa T., ha nrone