Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-01-22
SELLING our MEOW COST.


We often sec words like the above in store
windows and shops, and eau readily imagine
what they mean, when used in mercantile
sense Usually II is taken for granted that those
by whose authority they are placed there, either
intend to change their business, or retire from
it altogether. But when such announcements
are inferentally made by politicians, or those
who hold Office under the authority of the peo-
Pile, aud assume to represent them either in
Congress or elsewhere, we are not SO sure that
we apprehend their meaning
A man may do what he pleases with his mer-
chandse; he can " sell it off at cost" or give it
away, as best suits him. 1t is his, and nobody
but himself can legally control it. But it is a
little different with those who act as agents.
merely They have no legal or moral right to
sacriace the property of their employers without
their consent; aud we take ii that the same
principle which applies to trade, also applies in
no small degree to those political agents in
whose hands have been entrusted for safety and
protection, 10 a representative capacity, the Pc
litical rights aud interests of the people. They
are bound in honor to see that the principles and
privileges aceruing therefrom are not bartered
away or lost in the struggle which is constantly
going On between pstes for political power
When, therefore, we hear the word compro-
mise" mentioned and insisted upon by RepIb-
can Senators and Legislators when we hear
propositions solemnly made and deliberated
upon-by those who ought to represent us po-
litieally-to tear the Constitution of the country
asunder for the purpose of engraftug upon it
political heresyi repugnant alike to ch'istiani-
ty, civilization and the oppressed lsishes Of tht
people, we are forced to the conclusion that we
have men in Congress who are ready and willing
to "sell out below cost all that the people
battled for and won in the late Presidential
struggle to yield OF the mere command of {
waning and beaten power 80 the inalienable RICH
Of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,
which God has implanted, us it were, in GU
very natures and to hand over to the hectorn
enemy, as concession to traitors and rebels
the victorious principles which great an
powerful party exhumsd from the wreck an
ruin Of the government of our forefathers au
upheld through the late campaign, which wa
signalized-mOre than any one that ever pre-
osded it-by frequent appeals to the reason, in
telligence and patriotism Of the people of ii
country, upon the stump and through the pres
But to all such compromising schemes "
charge the people to have an eye. We war
them to be not deceived by the false pretence
Cancellation. They have nothing to conciliat
They have violated no law, They are true
the Constitution and mean to have all its pre-
visions enforced and If in doing so war mu
come, let IT, But here will be no war, unlei
the Constitution is violated aud those frol
whom Cancellation aud compromise are demal
died. are not those who have attacked the Col
stitution, but on the contrary, they are the ,rt
friends of the Constitution. Under its guarai
tees they have elected ABRAHAM LINcoLN to
tee next President, and they do not mean
fOregO their legal privileges, albeit the Sou
may rebel, and endeavor to blot out from til
sacred bond of our country's union, the tn
principles Of liberty and equality and there
send Us as nation thousand years ba
into state of semi-barbarity and tyranny.
Wo, NO unto those, therefore, who are atteml
ing to "ael out below cost" the dearest rights
the people, under the guise Of compromise"
the Federal Capitol The den Of obscuri
which they must eventually enter, will be wall
up with The reproaches and maledicdons of
deceived and wrOnged people. The only col
promise worth submitting to, should be Il
which will recognize the power, the dignity a
the sufiiciency Of the Constitution as it is.