Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-02-20

save the Union. Let this ever be the dividing
line between Democracy and Republicanism.
They love their party. May it ever be our boast
that zee love our country.
But it is not true that the CRTTTENDES propo-
sition includes an abandonment of our party plat
form. 1t commends itself to conservative men
on the ground that it is outside of all party plat
forms. We might well oppose as legislative
measure what we would cheerfully adopt as a
constitutional enactment, for, while as legisla-
tive measure the Missouri compromise would be
unconstitutional. and could not, therefore, re-
ceive our support, by putting it in the Constitu-
ton itself this difficulty is evaded. To oppose it,,
therefore, as legislative measure, and to sup
port it as constitutional provision, exhibits no
inconsistency.
Nor is il true that the CRrrrENDEN proposition
is an adoption of the BREoKINRIDGE platform. A
sufficient answer to this is found in the mere
statement of the provisions of each. The BRICK
ISRIDGE platform claimed the right of the slave
holder to carry his slaves into, and the Govern
ment to protect slavery in, all the Territories of
the IDlttu SUITS, NIllC tic OhlAlENb1N pAOPO
stion prohibits slavery in the Territories north of
SO deg 80 min, and only recognizes and pro-
tects il south of that line. Now here is a very
marked difference indeed.
But the Journal editor, with that spirit for
caviling and quibbling which is the invariable ae-
compartment of little mind, says that the CRIT
rEvDEx amendment is as much worse than the
sBREcKIxRIDGE slave code" "as a Constitution
is higher than statute" and that the former re-
quirel its protection by law, ''but leaves il dis
owned by the Constitution. Has the editor ever
read the BREckINRIpGE platform, or is he incapa-
BILE Of understanding plain proposition, or does
he wilfully and knowingly pervert and msrepre-
sent that platform in order to make out a case, for
a mschevous purpose? Our knowledge of the
editor warrants the belief that he is more unscru-
pulous than ignorant. The BREcKIsRIDGE plat
form expressly claims the right of protection to
slavery in all the Territories by virtue of the
Constitution, and because that instrument recog-
nzes and confers the right; and on this ground
alone did they base both the right and the duty OF
protection to slave property in all the Territories.
So the statement of the Journal that their plat
form "leaves it disowned by the Constitution, is
not only false but ridiculous for unless the Con-
stitution gave the right of protection, no statute
comforting it would be binding, and our BREcKrN-
RIDGE friends know more of the genius of our in
situations than to claim right on any other basis
than that of the Constitution.
The Democracy of the United States are viii
ling to meet the conservative men of all parties
and all sections, in spirit of patriotic devotion
to the country, and join them in any fair and
honorable compromise that will restore the Union
of our Fathers, and that fraternal feeling so in
dispensable to its preservation. While we still
declare our attachment to the principles of popu
lar sovereignty, and our belief that they fully
accord with the spirit of institutions, yet. for
the purpose of restoring peace to the country, and
reconstructing more firmly and enduringly than
ever the Union of these States, we are willing to
agree to any honorable compromise that will at
tain these ends And we do not intend to cavil
either upon the terms of settlement. The inter
ests at stake are too stupendous ; the Union OF
these States is too precious legacy, freighted
with too many blessings; the danger and the
horrors of civil war are too appalling, for the
patriotic Democracy of this country to hesitate
for moment between them and fair and hon
orable compromise.