New-York daily tribune., 1863-11-07
,,urrAT or CoTEpBerE'sE EH 1864


sor,hled ut washington in February, ISoi, under
an invitation from Virginia. has never been written
Its declared object was 10 establish peace by Just
opd couitable measures Of conciation; its reel OBJ
Too. -,s 70 cxtor; concessions to the slave interest,
by which its permanent asccndahcy in tho National
Government would be established and secured The
Legislatures of kentucky and Illinois had recon-
mendcd 10 Congress to call Convention TO con-
slider he circumstances of the country, and to pro-
pose such amendments TO the Constitution, if any,
as might be found necessary 10 harmonizc the rea-
tions of the States and their citizens. In the Con-
ference, most of those who sought TO give effect to
its declared objects took these resolutions as tho
basis of action, while those whose main purpose
was to secrc the ascendancy of the slave interest,
endoayorod to reach their object through tho direct
to Congress Of amendments TO the Con-
stitu,ion. In this, they were supported by some
delegates Of very different views and spirit, who
honestly expected peace from great concessions
Thus majority in the Conference and Its commit
tees was secured TO the Pro-Savery side.
II will be remembered hy those who have read the
published journal of the Convention that the Com
mitice on Propositions and Resolutions proposed
certain amendments TO the Constitution, cmfoiied
in new article Of s,sen sections, to be called the
Thirteenth. This article vas wholly in the interest
Of Slavery.
The first section provided for the division Of all
the existing territory Of tho United States into
Slave aud Free Territory " the line of 30 30, The
sccond prohibited new acquisitions Of territory
without the concurrence Of q majority of all the
Senators from Slave States and majority OF all the
Senators from Free Staios the third prohibited
Congress from interfering with Slavery within any
State; or with Slavery in the District Of Columbia
without the consent Of Maryland aud tia. OF the
owners Of the slaves; or with Slavery In any TcTr
tory where established or recognized by Territorial
law or otherwise; or With the sayo-,radc between
the States, except in or through state or Territory
against is laws, the Jourh ncsat.vcd any consiruc-
ion Of the Constitution by which any State would
be prevented from enforcing the delivery Of fugitive
slaves through State officers; the I'm prohibited
the foroiga slaye-tradc. the SiJh prohibited any
amendment Of the Constitution 10 the prejudice Of
Slavery wiihou, the consent Of oil the States, an
the scrcah required Congress 10 provide for pay
mcui ~ the United States for all fugitive slaves
rescued hy violence and for securing 70 citizens OF
each State The privileges and immuni,ics Of citizens
81 the several States.
Under tic fall conviction that these amendments
which conceded to slavery new and mos, extensive
prcroratiycs and guarantees could not and should
not receive tho sAac,on Of Congress or Of TIC rco-
pie and yc, anxious 10 adopt some Practicable and
.dcquate measures Of concllisioa and peace, TIC
Republican members OF tie Convention. upon con
agreed on proposition consisting ~
preamble .u Tie form % al address 20 tic lcoplo
and of several rc.olulons. Tho preamble DECLARED
that thc Convention recognized and doplorcd the
divisions and distractions Of The country. bui Do
MED ;ha, any existing alterations or disscnsioni
justified revolution. or Wor- such as could not b
overcome ly tie patriotism, honor aad iniofc', d
the country. that the Constitution crp-cssing th'
combined wisdom Of tie founders 81 the Govern
mont, was siil adequate 10 every emergency, and
entitled 10 The support u every good citizen. ,ha
IT, however, any portion oi the people believed that
they ough: to have their rights exactly dcnuc1
or more folly explained in the ConsiiuiiOn, II VA
their duty To- seek = rcnciy ~ amendment, and h'
equal duty q all tho Stacs 20 consider tho claims o.
those who though, trmtolyc- agsriovcd, AID 'C
concur In such amendments as Nigh, be- found
necessary 10 insure exact justice to all The resolu
tions following iAis preamble, declared Fsrf La
the Constitution gives no power 10 Congrrss or &
the Federal Government 20 interfere IN any mgnnc
with Slavery IN any State and that neither Of the
great political organizations clistng In tho county
couicn plate any violation o. tie spini Of Tie Con
.tiu,ion IN this respect; Soegrd That II Tie people
of any State were should L. deprived Of tho bono
fits intended 20 De secured 90 them by the Consliu
ton. or their nights were or should be- dlsregardod
their tranquility disturbed their rTfospon'y retarded
or their liberty mpcrlod, hy Tie people Of any
other State fun and adequate redress should be pro
yided; and. 1hird, That the Convention would ~
commend 10 the Legislatures of tho several States o
the Onion 10 follow tho example Of Tho Legislature
Of the States Of Kentucky and Illinois IN applying
10 Congress 10 call Convention 20 propose amend
Incu,s 10 the Constitution Of the United States pur
suan, to the fifth article thereof
This preamble and tlcso resolutions wcrc Offered
~ an amendment 10 tie report of the Committee
by Mr. Tuck Of Ncw-Ilampshire; and, while thin
amcndmcn, was pending, Sir. CHASE Of Ohio, in
behalf Of thoso whose views II embodied delivered
the following remarks;
srIEcn or GOV. cnAfR oP ONO IN T1Is rEAcg
tOSFfELhC..
Pbrrary g. lr6l.
MIR PrJfiDgsTi / have not thought IL best TO occupy
much ~ The time of The Convention Ia discussing thr
propositions presented for !is decision have indeed
been impressed with idea that dee, aion upon thes,
Iroposillons just now NAY be Trcmliurc
Ihaye already stated 10 the Conference thrt .hc
Dclcgti.s from Ohio act under resolutions Of the Gene
raj Assembly al tAat STATE 81 which requires q c
H. ufc their influence Ia procuring adjournment o
this body o. the ith of Ap acxt II Is the wish of tina,
state that opportunity may be given for full cons
Of any Constitutional amendment that mny be proposed
InIN. MLh cLuAcn.A nAnLd Iludcf