Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-02-21
The Peace Convention.

This convention which has been in
session for several days has had through
its committee the following compromise
proposed for adoption The proposition
is now under consideration in the con-
ferauce. In some quarters its passage
by that body is doubted, in others its
adoption is spoken of with the utmost
confidence. We devoutly pray that for
the peace of our country it MAJ meet
with hearty and cheerful reception upon
the part of the conference.
Article l. In all the territory of the
United States not embraced within the
limits of the Cherokee treaty grant, north
of line from cast to west, on the par
allel of thirty-six degrees thirty minutes
north latitude, involuntary servitude, ex
cept in punishment of crime, is prohibit
ted whilst it shall be under territorial
government;and in all the territory South
of said line the status of persons owing
service or labor as it now exists shall not
be changed by law while such territory
shall be under territorial government;
aud neither Congress nor tho territorial
government shall have power to hinder
or prevent the taking to said territory OF
persons held to labor or involuntary SER
vice within the United States, according
to the laws or usages of any State from
which said persons may be taken, nor to
impair the rights arising out of said re-
Tlations, which shall be subject to judicial
coguizance in the Federal courts accor-
ding to the common law; and when any
territory north or south of said line, with
in such boundary as Congress may pres
cribe, shall contain a population required
for member of Congress-, according to
the then Federal ratio of representation,
it shall, if its form of,government be re-
publican, be admitted into the Union on
an equal footing with the original States,
with or without involuntary service or
labor, as the constitution of such new
State may provide.
Art. 2 Territory shall not be acquired
by the United States unless by treaty,
nor, except for naval aud commercial
stations and depots, unless such treaty
shall be ratified by four-6fths of all the
members of the Senate.
Art. 3. Neither the Constitution nor
any amendment thereof shall be constru-
ed to give Congress power to abolish or
control within any State or Territory
the relation established or recognized by
the laws thereof touching persons bound
to labor or involuntary service therein,
or to interfere with or abolish involunta
ry service in the District of Columbia
without the consent of Maryland. and
without the consent of the owners, or
making the owners who do not consent
just compensation; nor the power to in
terfere with or prevent representatives
and others from bringing with them to
the city of Washington, retaining and
taking away, persons so bound to labor;
nor the power to interfere with or abol-
ish involuntary service in places uoder
the exclusive jurisdiction of the United
States within those States and Terrific
res where the same is established or re.
cognized; nor the power to prohibit the
removal or transportation, by lands sea,
or river, of persons held to labor or in
voluntary service in any State or Ter
ritory of the United States 10 any other
State or Territory thereof where it is es-
tablished or recognized by law or usage,
and the right during transportation of
touching at shores, ports and landings,
and of landing in case of distress, shall
exist; nor shall Congress have power to
authorize any higher rate Of taxes on
persons bound to labor than On land.
Art. 4 The third paragraph of the
second section of the fourth article of
the Constitution shall not be construed
to prerent any of the States. by appro-
p late legislation, and through the action
of their judicial and ministerial officers,
from enforcing the delivery Of fugitives
from labor to the person to whom such
service or labor is due. ....
Art. S. The foreign slave trade, and
the importation of slaves int the United