Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-01-03
MIR. Windows Address to his Constituents.


To My CONSTITUENTS =
The views which [ entertained of the unhappy state
of things existing in the Union, the duty of our people,
and the possible remedies were fully and frankly dis
closed to you repeated discussions during the late
canvass.
hither, at the assembling of the Congress- with
the design OF honestly carrying out those views, and
with the intention to assert boldly and to maintain fear
essy the rights of my section and to contribute
could consistently with the honor of orth CARROLL
na to the preservation Of the Union the recognition of
the equality of the States and the establishment of
y, peace, and concord among people to all genera
lions.
could not hesitate, therefore, to take service upon
committee OF the States the avowed object of which was
to arrive at some just settlement of the difficulties.
On that committee have steadily acted with my COL
leagues of the savehodiDg States who were really and
unatecedy DESTROYS OF restoring peace and consoda-
ting the Union on principles ojustice and equality
Although it did not entirely meet the approval Of our
Judgment nevertheless for the sake of harmony we were
induced, on the first day of meeting, to propose
frankly and at once, plan to settle the only difficult
question: that of the territories upon the basis of con-
stitutional amendment prohibiting slavery above md
protecting it below the parallel of thrtysix degrees
thirty minutes, North latitude.
1t especially gratifying, that without the knowl-
edge of this proposition the venerable and distinguished
Crtenden the represen atve of political organ
zaton most respectable for its numbers and intelligence
in all the saveholding States, should have produced in
the Senate plan almost Identical in terms and import
From or other, the resolutions introduced
by on the 10th day of December could not be forced
to vote until the 7th instant, wien they were rejected
by the unanimous vote of all the republican members,
aided by one gentleman rom tee South.
Perhaps the saddest evidence that little hope remains
of satisfactory solution rests upon what were manifest
TIE of such REFUSAL the absolute unwiingness
recognize by formal amendment of the Constitution
the right of property in slaves.
The Senate committee of thirteen found all its endea-
rutess by of the rejection of Mr. Crtten-
denis resolutions.
feel constrained to say, that think there no hope
in Congressional action.
If it should be thought that resort to Convention
of the States is proper that is for North Carolina by
her Legislature, in solemn Convention of her people
to determine The Constitution has not conferred upon
the Congress the power to call one.
Under this state of things and especially in consider
alton of the alarming and excited condition of the
try the bankruptcy of the treasury the utter prosraton
OF the credit of the Government evnced in the pro-
posals to take not quite half of loan Of FIVE millions
lately authorized, at rate of interest varying from
twelve to thirtysx per cent have felt it to be my duty
to announce to you the failure of all efforts here and to
declare that in my judgment the only remedy in your
own prompt, honest and independent action.
WARREN WINSLOW.