Indiana State sentinel., 1861-01-09
The Crittenden Compromise.


The most careless observer of current events
can not fail to be impressed with the fact that the
country Is rapidly. drifting toward Disunion, and
that unless this tendency is arrested shall
in short time be divided into two, if not more,
separate and antagonistic confederacies. 1t is
crisis in our public affairs which demands of every
patriotic citizen prompt and decided efforts TO pre-
vent the threatened overthrow of the Government
and to give it rermanency in the future And here
the inquiry naturally arises what can be done to
preserve the Union7 How can the troubles which
threaten the disruption of the Confederacy be
healed? We know of no way but to return to
the policy of the Fathers of the Republic. AT
the time the Constitution was formed. there
were as many conflicting opinions now,
to the principles and policies upon which it
should be based The contest then looked as recon-
cilable as at present. 1t was found that the only
hope of union was in concession and Cancellation.
Extreme opinions were modified or yielded, and
in the spirit of compromise and accommodation,
the political fabric was reared which we have re-
garded as the most perfect ever devised by the
wisdom of man. Shall extreme opinions be per-
mitted to destroy this Government? Are we bet
ter wiser than the men who framed it? We
have not doubt but that the conservative senti-
ment of the country will rally to preserve the
Union, when some feasible plan for adjusting our
troubles is proposed. And no plan will be accept
sble which is not based upon concession and COM
promise. There can be no hope of reconciliation
as long as the extremists of the North or the ex-
tremists of the South demand ultimatum the
adoption of their peculiar theories.
We publish this morning the compromise by
Mr.. CRIrrESDEN, which, to make permanent, he
suggests as amendments to the Constitution.
We also publish the able speech of Senator PUGH
advocating the adoption of this measure of recon-
citation, with the resolutions of large meeting
of the citizens of Cincinnati cordially endorsing
it. Wec0mmend them all to the careful attention
of the reader Mr. CRIrrESDEN's plan of adjust
ment presents basis upon which to concentrate
the conservative sentiment of the country. Some
of its features may be Objectionable to one shade
of public sentiment, while others may be equally
so to another. 1t does not Weld to all the de-
mands of the Fire Eater, nor to those of the
Abolitionist. Itrestores tie policy of Territorial
partition which was adopted in the Mis-
souri, Compromise, and, as Mr.. CRITTESDEN
said in his speech, upon line that would
probably be agreed upon if there should be a d-
vision of the country into Northern and Southern
Confederacies. The Republican party could ac-
cept it. for upon the repeal of the Missouri COM
promise, in 1854, they announced they would take
issue as to the policy of its abrogation and de-
mand its restoration So far as slavery in the
Territories are concerned, the compromise of Mr.
CRrTTESDEN prohibits it north of a certain line
and admits it south, leaving the determination
finally to the people when they form State Gov
ernment whether slavery shall be admitted or pro
hibited. We do not believe that the Govern
ment can be maintained without the conflicting
sentiments of the country be compro-
missed. The plan suggested by Mr.. CRIrTES-
DEN we have no doubt will be acceptable to the
border slave States and to the conservative men
in the Gulf States. 1t is a remedy within the
Union by which the rights of the slave States will
receive additional guarantees Its prompt accept
ance by the Northern States would at once take
the wind out of the secession movement As a
compromise, for without concessions we can not
expect Cancellation, we hope it will meet the ap-
proval of the conservative citizens of Indiana. A
permanent settlement of our political difficulties
would at once give an impulse to enterprize and
prosperity to all industrial pursuits. There is not
an occupation or pursuit in Indiana but would
Immediately bebeneftted thereby. Is this not an
inducennent, in addition to the impulses of patriot
ism, to make every effort to restore peace to the
country and stability to the government