The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer., 1863-01-16


cy, no one could object to that position, as
a matter of fact; but they will forever fail
to satisfy the world. that the South was
not fairly committed to q settlement on
the basis of the Crittenden proposition, or
that the Northern Democrats would not
have compromised on that ground had
they possessed the power to do so. I am
aware that there are plenty Of Republi-
cans who, would still spurn to settle with
the South on such conditions, as there are
also radical fanatics who would not take
thst section back into the Union even on
the conditions of the Constitution. They
certainly can have no complaint against
my views and sentiments.
When Congress assembled in Decem-
ber, 1861, it was obvious to every one
who was at all willing to: heed the signs
Of the times, that the peace of our country
was in imminent peril, the natural conse-
quences of prolonged war of elimination
and recrimination between the extreme
and impractible men of the North and
the South. The anxious inquiry heard
everywhere" What can be done to
allay the agitation and save the unity and
peace of our country" Amongst those
who were willing to make an effort to COM
promise and settle, regardless of sectional,
party or personal considerations, consulta-
ton after consultation was held. The
first great task was to discover whether it
was possible to bring the South up to
ground on which the North could stand.
Many and various were the propositions
and suggestions produced. But it was
finally concluded that the proposition of
the venerable Senator from Kentucky
(Mr. Crittenden, was most likely to COM
mand the requisite support iu Congress
and before the people. These, together
with all others of a similar character, were
referred to select committee, composed
of the following Senators-Messrs. Crit
tenden, Powell, Hunter, Seward, Toombs,
Douglas, Collamer, Davis, Wade, Bigler,
Rice, Doolttle and Grimes-fve Southern
men, five Republicans and three Northern
Democrats. The Southern and Re-
publican Senators were recorded as the
parties of the issue and hence a rule
was adopted that no proposition should
be reported to the Senate as CON-
promise unless it received majority of
both sides. All the Southern Senators,
save Mr.. Davis and Mr. Toombs, were
known to favor the Clittenden proposition
On the 23d of December, this proposition
came up for consideration, and it became
necessary for Messrs. Davis and Toombs
to take their positions in regard to it, and
shall never forget the substance of what
both said, for | regarded their course as
involving the fate of the compromise
Mr.. Davis said, "that for himself the pro-
position would be bitter pill, for he held
that his constituents had an equal right
with those OF any other Senator to 60 into
the common Territories, and occupy and
enjoy them with whatever might be their
property at the time; but nevertheless,
in view of the great stake involved, if the
Republican side would go for it in good
faith he would unite with them" Mr.
Toombs expressed nearly the same senti-
ments, and declared that his State would
accept the proposition as fual settle
ment. Mr.. Toombs also, in open Senate,
on the 7th of January, used the following
language:
"But although l insist on this perfect
equality in the Territory, yet when it was
proposed, as now understand the Sena-
or from Kentucky to propose, that the
line of $3.50 shall be extended, acknowl.
edging and protecting our property on the
south side of that line, for the sake of
peacc-permanent peace-I said to the
committee of thirteen, as I say here, that
with other satisfactory provisions 1 would
accept it. page 27O, Cong Globe, 1st
In addition to my own testimony of
what occurred in the committee of thir-
teen, | present extracts from speeches of
Mr.. Douglas and Mr. Pugh, bearing di-
rectly on this point.
On the 3d of Jan. in the course of an
elaborate speech, Mr.. Douglas used the
following language:
eff you of the Republican side are not
willing to accept this nor the proposition
of the Senator from Kentucky, pray tell
US what you will do? / address the in
quiry to the Republicans alone, tor the
reason that in the committee Of thirteen,
a few days ago, EVERY MEMBER FROM
THE SOUTH, including those from the
Cotton States. Messrs. Toombs and Davis
expressed their readiness to accept the pro-
position Of my reneraJle friend FROM Kea-