The Placer herald., 1862-06-14
THE PLACER HERALD
AUBURN, JUNE IA, 1862.
THE CR1TTENDEN COMPROMISE.

proposed by John j. Crittenden, in December 1860.
was defeated by Southern votes; but we did not
suppose any paper assuming tolead the public
mind would risk its reputation by assuming such
4 position. But as it is very important point
in the history of the causes of the war,-one
which the supporters of the Administration would
gladly avoid responsibility on, we find the lead
ing Abolition organ of this State, the Sacramento
Union, reiterating the shameless fasehood. That
paper of the 7th asserts, that the history of the
compromise in the Senate, shows that the COM
promise would have been passed, had secession
Senators from the South voted for it, and then
proceeds to prove it, by an an extract from a
speech made by Andrew johnson, rec emily, at
Nashville, and garblel account of the leglsa
tion in relation to it (the compromise) taken from
the National InteHigencer.
The hurthen of the story on the part OF john
son and the Mteligencer, is. that the substitute
of Senator Clark, of New Hampshire, passed the
Senate, and this defeated the proposition of Mr..
Crttenden.
In relying upon this authority. the Union has
been led into error,-a any one. who has access
to the Globe Of go and '6l will see. Both the
Clark substitute aud the Crttcnden compromise
were defeated by votes had directly on each -
first the substitute, by vote mixed OF Democrats
und Republicans, and next. the Crittenden mea-
sure by straight Republican vote Here is the
true history Of the matter, and we challenge sue
ccssfnl contradiction. Upon the Introduction OF
these resolutions Mr. Crittenden made patriotic
and prophetic speech in which turning to the Re
publican side of the House he said:
boro Str 7 L |
recognize it as the difficult question particularly
with the gentlemen from the North-is the admis
sion Of this line of division Tor the territory, and
the recognition OF slavery on the one side, aud
the prohibition of it on the o,her The recoeni
ton of slavery or the Southern side of that line
is the great difficulty. the great question with
them. Now. | beseech them to think. and you Mr.
President and all. to think whether, for such
comparative tri1e as that the Union OF this coun-
try is to be sacrificed. Have we realized to our
selves the momentous consequences OF such an
event? When has the world seen such an event?
This is nightly empire. Its existence spreads
its influence throughout the civilized world. Its
overthrow will be the greatest shock that eivlllza-
ton and free government have received; more
extensive in its consequences; more t'tal 10 man
kind and to the great principles upon whch the
liberty of mankiud depends. than the French rev.
oluton with all its blood. and with all its war and
violence. And all for what?
is it upon the general principle of humanity,
then, that you undressing Republican Senatorsl
wish to put an end to slavery. or is it to be urged
by You as mere topic and point of party contro-
versy to sustain party power? Surely give you
credit for looking al it upon broader and more
generous principles"
Mr.. Crittenden gave the Republicans credit for
too much generosity and principle. Mr.. John L.
Hale after ridicuing the resolutions, in reply to
a question from Mr. Salisbury of DEL as to
whether he (Hale) would urge northern people to
adopt these resolutions, said:
"Well now, sir the honorable Senator fl ON Del
aware asks me question which will answer.
though do not feel bound to do so. with my
present conviction. | will not agree to these pro-
positions in all their extent. There are some
things there that | would agree to; but to the
extent that these resolutions go. would not re-
ommend my people to accede to them. Ii lhey
ask my advice. they can have it
This debate was on motion to print the resO
lutions.
According to the HteNigencer. the Clark substi-
tute was introduced on the 18th Jan. '6l-hut final
action was not had on either the original or sub
stitute until March 3rd, '6l-two days before the
Inauguration Of Mr.. Lincoln. See Gloje p. 1890,
'9l. 14O4'5.
The Clark substitute is as follows:-wc give
the debate and the vote upon it:
That the provisions Of the Constitution are
amplo for the preservation of the Union, and the
protect ton of all the material interests o. the
country; th't it needs to be obeyed rather than
amended: and that an eXtrication from the present
dangers is to be looked for in strenuous efforts to
preserve the peace, protect the public property,
aud enforce the laws. rather than in guarantees
for particular difficulties, or concessions to unrea
sonabie demands.
"Resoloed. That all attempts to dissolve the
present Union, or overthrow or abandon the pres
ent Constitution with the hope or expectation OF
constructing new one, are dangerous. illusory
and destructive: that. in the opinion of the Sen
ate of the United States, no such reconstruction
is practicable: and therefore, to the maintenance
of the existing Union and Constitution should be
directed all the energies of all the departments of
the Government, aud the efforts Of all good cit
izens.'
Mr. Clark 1T might be expected, as | offered
that substitute, that would say something in its
support; but, as the session is drawing so near
close. though am prepared. shall waive the op-
portunity. and let the vote be taken"
Mr. Wilson. .sWe have voted on that several
times. and suggest that it be Withdrawn, and let
us vote directly on the resolutions"
The Presiding Officer. "lt cannot be with
drawn the yeas and nays having been ordered"
The Secretary proceeded to call the roll"
Mr.. Anthony (when his name was called J.
"Without any reference to the merits OF this
amendment. shall vote against it for the purpose
of allowing the Senator from Kentucky to obtain
a vote on his resolution. vote nay"
Mr.. Baker, (when his name called.) 'With-
out reference to the merits of this amendment,
shall vote against it in order to get an opportun-
y to vote against the resolution Of the Senator
from Kentucky"
"The result was announced-yeas IA, nays p;
rs follows:
"YEAs-Messrs. Bingham. Chandler, Clark, Doc
little Durkee, Fessenden. Foot Harlan. King,
Morrill,. Sumner, Trhmbull, Wade, and Wilkin-
son-14.
NAYS -Messrs Anthony, Baker, Boyard, Bigler,
Bright, Crittenden, Dixon, Douglas, Foster, twin,
Hunter. johnson of Tenn, Kennedy, Lane, Lath-
am, Mason, Nicholson. Polk, Pugh, Rice, Sebas-
o.,d Tan Euol1