The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-04-24
Compromise in 81.

We occasionally hear 1t said that the pres
ent war might have bccn averted ii the
North had given tho South the "Crit'end'r
Compromise, that is, had given up to
slavery all the present and future territory
of the Union, south Of the parallel OF S6'
30i North latitude.
But very slight examination Of the rec
ord, will show that the South had obtained,
in the election of Mr.. Lincoln, what they
deemed, a prctenso for dissolving the Union
which they were determined to make the
most of. Below will DO found some of tho
remarks made by distinguished rebels, in the
session Of Congress which was held after Mr.
Lincoln's election and before his Inaugural
ton. And first, that arch-rebcl, JEFF. Davis
himself said:
"The States in their sovereign capacity have
nop resolved to Judge Of the infractions OF the
Federal compact, and of the mode and measure
OF redress. Shall we cling to the mere forms,
or idolize the name OF Union, when its bless
ings are lost, after Its spirit has fed'"
Senator Iyerson, OF Georgia said:
"sir. the Southern States that are now NOV
inc in this matter are not doing Il without due
consideration. We believe that the only secu-
rity for the Institution TO which we attach so
much importance is Secession and Southern
Confederacy. You talk about CONCESSIONS
You talk about repeating the Personal Lib
erty bills, as concession to the South. Re
peal them all tomorrow, sir, and II would not
stop the progress Of this revolution. IL Is not
your Personal Liberty bills that we dread
Nor do we suppose that there will he any overt
acts on the part OF Mr.. Lincoln. For one, do
not dread overt acts. do not propose to wait
for them. We intend TO 90 out"
Mr.. 0. r. Singleton Of Mississippi, on the
second day Of the session used the following
language:
"I was not sent here for the purpose OF max
ing any compromise or Ia patch up existing
difficulties. I leave. Sir. to the 'soyeign State
OF Mississippi TO determine for herself her pres
ent Federal relations"
He was seconded by Mr.. Hawkins Of Flo
rida as follows:
"while I am up. Mr.. Speaker. may rs well
say in advance. that L am opposed, and be-
lieve my State is opposed, to all and every com
promise. The day OF compromise has passed.
Wigfall Of Texas said:
$50 far as this Union is concerned. the cold
sweat Of death Is upon IL. Your Union Is Rop
dead your Government Is nOp dead. There Is
now in the Cult States no excitement. There
Is . fixed, determined will, that they will be
tree"
Mr.. Clompton Of Alabama thus declared
what no considered to be tho remedy for al
lodged Southern grievances;
believing that State has the right to secede.
and that the only remedy for present evils is
Secession, I viii not hold out any delusire hope,
nor sanction any temporirng policy"
His colleague. Mr.. Push, said
"As my State Of Alabama intends following
South Carolina out Of the Union by the 10th Of
January next, pay no attention to any action
taken by this body
Thirteen days after the Crittcnden reso-
lutious were introduced icto the Senate. and
after no, Of course. had given them careful
consideration, Senator Benjamin Of Louisi
ana said:
"The State OF South Carolina. with una
nimity scarcely with parallel in history, has
dissolved the Union which connects her with
the other States Of the Confederacy. and has de-
olared herself independent. Next week, Mis-
sissippi, Alabama, and Florida, will have de-
clared themselves independent: the week alter,
Georgia; and little later, Louisiana; soon,
very soon. 10 be followed by Texas and Arkan-
sas. Tie dayfor the adjustment has passed.
s,,v NJ
On tho 7th Of jan, 1861, just seven days
after Mr.. Benjamin used the above language,
and after he. too. had fully considered the
"Crittenden Compromise" Senator Toombs
Of Georgia made the following declaration:
"Thc success Of the Abolitioni.ts and their
allies, under the name Of the Republican party,
has produced its logical results already. The
Union, Sir, Is dissolved That ia An accom-
,plished fact In the path Of this discussion that
men may as we'll heed And now YOU see the
rlitter;ng bayonet, and you hear the tramp OF
armed men from your capital to the Rio
'Grande."
II wsuid be very easy to 30 on, giving
statement after statement, made by Southern
Senator's and Representatives, all going to
show the truth OF the remark which Senator
Douglas overheard Mason Of Virginia say
that "no matter what compromises the North
offers, the South must find a ,cay 10 dsfsd'
r." Indeed, PRYOR. another Virgiuian, tele