Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-02-28
The Crittenden Amendment.

Mr. EDITOR: In 1854 the Republican
party was organized to cheak the spread OF
Slavery into free territory. This was the
central cardinal principle of that then, and
has been ever since, and is now.
Down to 1854 all parties, in the free States;
were united here, Democrats and Wings
stood pledged. by legislative resolves, reso-
lutions of State, District and county Con-
ventions, in all the free States, to stand out
to the last against the extension of Slavery
into free territory. To this Mr.. Clay and
Mr.. Webster renewed their pledges m 1850.
Col Fremont in 1856 and Mr.. Lincoln in
1860, were pledged to the same principle.
We inscribed it upon our banner in 1854,
and have kept. 1t there in every State, where
the Constitutional guarantees of freedom
Of speech and freedom of the press are re-
spected, we have born the flag in triumph.
In nineteen of our thirty-four States, upon
full discussion, uninAuenced by any thing
but truth and reason, and against tho pa-
tronage of the Federal Government, this
principle, older than our Constitutions, has
been sanctioned, by the people.
Now at the bidding of rebels we are asked
to abandon this cardinal principle of our
party, and upon what ground? Were it u
new device of party, adopted to secure a
party triumph it might well be surrendered.
But we take a tifercntview of il. We con-
slider it vital principle of our Government.
1t was not used for party, but the Rcpubli-
can party was made it. We believe, as
did our fathers, that it is just, expedient and
Constitutional, and with Henry Clay, we
are prepared to say that no earthly power
can ever induce us to vote against it.
The Crittendcn propositions, which pro
pose to recognize, extend and protect Slave
ry, i've cannot accept, for any earthly con
sideration. We regard them as in conAic
with the most important objects Of our po
litical institutions, Union, justice, domestic
tranquility, common defence, and genera
welfare, and liberty.
The brief history Of the proposition Il
extend and protect Slavery by the Fedora
Government SO far us know to me is this:
In the Democratic National Convention
of lS4S,. the same that nominated Gen
Cass for the Presidency, vote was take
on this proposition, by yeas and nays, %
votes were cast, PIG for, and 80 against ii
New York did not vote.
;. In the years 1889 the same party, i
State, District and county Conventions, il
fifteen out of the then thirty States, pledges
themselves to support tliis same cardina
principle of the Republican party, the non
extension of Slavery. The Democratic paI
ty Of Ohio, in State Conventions, did thi
yearly, from 1913 to 1854, inclusive. Ate
the organization of the Republican party
in 1854, twas abandoned by the Democrat
party of Ohio.
Il In the Democratic National Convention
of 1852, and 1856, there was no vote on il
, In 1860 the division of the Democrat
e party which nominated Breckenridge an
q Lane, brought forward in the Charlcsto
e Convention proposition, in principle, til
same as the Crittenden proposition, but
HI form, less Objectionable. This divided th
a old Democratic party. The Breckinride
division went to the people on this prime
e pie. OF the popular vote MIR. Breckinride
= got s47, ,953 out Of a, 500, ,OO0-less than on,
sixth, and large part of these from ii
: non-seceding States In those States, an
: many others, the Republicans were not pc
g mitted to utter their principles, much le
advocate them. Now, after this signal d
Q feat, the Breckenridge party, by what
: called the Crittenden proposition, and VIII
= they call secession, but in fact by rebellion
e civil war, in contempt for the Constitution
@ the laws, and our flag, seek to incorpora
: their repudiated principle into the Consi
tuition. They may succeed by intimidatit
n with some weak Douglas and Bell mel
IS but never with Republicans. This is N
i opinion. WIRT.
, | Ethan Snlke,s plan of Com Dr(