Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-03-07
NO CnMPROMISE

Although we discredt the late rumor that
JEFF Davis had made advances for comprom-
Use, we cannot disguise the danger that a
mawkish lenity towards the rebels may creep
into the public mind We already snuff this
danger in the air. When the collapse of the
rebellion is seen to be near, the party pas
sions which have slept during the war will re-
vive in full vigor. II is all very well to de-
preciate this result but it is only policical
Miss Napcyism that can fail to see that il is
inevitable when the military resistance Of the
rebels is nearly broken down. Partisans who
have an eye on the next Presidential election
will seek to build up an interest in the South
by obtrusye Manifestations of friendship. A
knot Of over Jealous emancipationists are al
ready so impressed with this tendency that
they are striving to be beforehand with it by
taking advantage of the just Indignation to-
wards the rebels which prevails in the loyal
States. to obliterate the State governments Of
the South, and thus deprive all the States
which have participated in the rebellion of
any share in the next Presidential election.
The number Of presidential electors to which
each State is entitled is equal to that Of its
Senators and Representatives counted togeth-
er. II the Southern States are reduced to the
condition Of Territories they will have no Sem
ators and Representatives, and hence no Pres
idental electors.
This scheme for carrying the presidential
election by DISTINGUISHING all tine Southern
States, and its counterpart for carrying the
presidential election by conciliating the South
should be alike crushed in the egg before the
warmth Of party spirit becomes sufficient to
hatch them into life. These two mischievous
schemes, if not remorselcssly irowned down
by healthy public sentiment, will react upon
and strengthen each other and finally Get the
country by the ears in another sickening and
loathsome squabble between contemplate
doughlaces and crazy radicals We warn the
radicals who follow the lead Of Messrs Sum
ner and Greeley not to create in the loyal
states host Of champions for the South, as
they are quite certain to do if they persist in
their attempt to abolish the Southern State
governments. On the other hand we warn
the doughfaces thank God, they have not
yet found any noted leaders, that if they ad
vance one step toward encouraging the South
to hope for any other compromise than the
Constitution, or any easier terms OF peace
than unconditional submission to it and the
laws enacted in pursuance Of it, they will
thereby give greater impetus, more eHeCtual
strength to the radicals than could be done
by any other possible method.
Nothing could be more misohiovous than
an exhibition OF the spirit of compromise -
There are many things that admit Of com
promise, but the obligation Of citizens 10 obey
the law is not one Of them. All free govern
ments are founded in compromise, but when
once established, and the law-making power
has published its cnactmcnts, il is contrary
to every notion of civil order to suppose that
the question whether the citizen shall obey
them is one that can ever in any case be com
promised, MI the compromises that can
take place without utter subversion of the
first principles of olitical society are con-
summated when the government is founded
or when its laws are framed. When the con-
stituton has once gone into effect. when the
laws are once enacted, government can no
more tolerate partial obedience without dis
honor, than a husband can, without dishonor,
tolerate partial chastity IN his wife 1t is
thing that in its very nature admits of no
compromise. All parties have deeper stake
in the absolute supremacy of the laws than
in any other political interest whatever. The
country may wish the Constitution to be
somewhat different from what It's it may
desire the repeal or amendment of certain
laws or the enactment of others. But how
ever Important these changes may be, they
are trivial beside the great question whether
the laws shall in all cases be enforced The
answer to this question draws the dividing
line between civil order and anarchy.
Let us test our power to enforce the Con-
stitution as 1t is, before attempting to make a
new one. II we cannot enforce this, we can
not enforce any. 1t will be time enough to
talk Of amendments when we shall have de-
monstrated that they would not be a dead
letter il adopted. And, on the other hand,
any talk OF letting the rebels down easy, Of
surrendering any part of the Constitution be-
cause obedience to it is repugnant to their
feelings, is offering premium TO rebelliou 49,
IL countenances the idea that concessions may
be extorted by resistance. The only way to
come out of this war without national dis
grace is to smite down every rebel in arms so
long as there is one left to resist. When we
have demonstrated our ability to enforce the
Constitution in every part of the country, the
question of amendments will be in order
but not before.-N Y VorH