The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-03-05

ward-nOt always rapidly, not always con- |
fidently; but always resOlutely and steadl-
ly forward. In the beginning, our great.
est statesmen were willing to make, and
did make, concessions to Southern feroci,y
for the sake of peace which few would row
venture to support or propose. Then, and
long after actual war had been waged, you
heard little from any quarter of the agency
of Slavery in precipitating conflict which
convulsed the nation and astOunded the
world; but you did hear much OF the Abo-
iitionists as its prOvOkers and abettors, un-
til it really seemed that they would be
written down the head devils Of this civil
strife, and the rebel leaders be canOnized as
divine saints on the martyrOlOgy Of Iber-
ty. No wonder thus for the North had not
vet begun to cast off the fetters with which,
from the foundation Of the Government,
the cause Of Slavery. Do you not reInem-
ber the promptness with which the Presi-
dent, in September, 1861, commanded Ere
mont tn revoke his general order declaring
that the slaves of rebels should be freed?-
DO you forget the Presidents PrOclama-
tion in May, 1862, annulling Hunters dec
laration OF freedom to the slaves in South
Carolina, Georgia and Florida? Both OF
these acts chilled and depressed the rising
sentiment Of the nation against Slavery,
and accumulated formidable obstacles TO
it's progress. But the policy which they
indicated could not be adhered to; for you
will remember, also, the Presidents warn
ing to the South in September, 1862, OF the
coming proclamation Of freedom, and the
issue Of that proclamation at the appointed
time; and you will concur with me that up
to the day when he decided to strike ut the
rebellion through its slaves, the nation had
in sentiment advanced little toward the
neart of the tremendous conflict into which
| il had been forced. From the day, howev-
er, that it knew that it would not be held
! back by its chief, il has gone upward and
onward; hourly strengthening in the con-
vietion that this is Slavery's rebellion;
! hourly taking a more advanced position OF
antagonism 10 Slavery, and hourly grow
ing more rigid in the purpose that Slavery
shall die.
A GLANCE AT TIE STEPS OF PROGRESS.
And where do we stand now? Let US
touch IA few points IN the history of the last
three years, and read the answer. While,
as mere philosophical disquisitio1. such
a review might not be of special interest to
this assembly at this advanced stage OF the
era it will, il l mistake not, be found not
only instructive in its exhibition OF the
progress OF public thought. but highly
practical, and eminently cheering TO the
friends OF freedom, because demonstrating
that the national mind has finally emanci-
pated itself from every retarding and re-
pressiong influence, and is prepared for 9
forward move along the whole line agains,
Slavery and for universal freedom.
), First recall the celebrated Crittender
Compromise resolutions, which at one
time commanded apparently so large .
measure Of public acQuieScence, II not ap
probation. That they were brought for
ward by their distinguished author, in the
spirit OF patriotism. and under the convlc
ton that they would, if coucurred in, pro
baby avert the calamity Of civil war, nc
man, ! suppose, will question. But tina
, no greater mistake has been made by any
Iowa! statesman, than that which kentuc
, ky's venerable son committed in the fram
ing of that plan OF pacitication misnainet
; compromise. few men who are more lOya
, to their country than to Slavery will deny
> What were its terms? Ii proposed amend
. men,s to the Constitution as follows:
lst. In all the territory Of the Cnitet
States then held or thereafter acquired, sit
uated south of the latitude of 35 deg. ant
, 30 minutes, "Slayerv of the African race
! should be recognized as existing, whethe
there in fact or not, and should not be in
. terfered with by Congress, but be protected
|, as property, by all the departments Of ter
: ritorial Government during its continu
f ance, which was no more nor less than
: Constitutional dedication of all such terri
O tory 10 Slavery for ever.
= Cd. Congress should have no power t
\ abolish Slavery in places under its exclu
\ sive jurisdiction, situated within the limit
4 Of States permitting the holding OF slaves.
!, Sd. Congress should have no power I
abolish slavery within the District of Col
:, nmbia. so long as il existed in either Mary
= land or Virginia. nor without the consel
. of the inhabitants O. tn. District. nor with
). out lust com 1ensation 10 The non consen
1, ing owners.
. -:tb. Congress should not 1T any time
| whether Slavery were abolished in tks
,t,,t r,E LxIt
n eral Government. or members OF Congress
a whose duties required them to be ther'
n from bringing with them their slaves an
70 holding them as such during the time the
Il duties might require them 10 remain ther
) and afterward taking them thence.
). 9th. Congress should have no power
10 prohibit or hinder the transportation
~ Slaves from one State to another, or 10
:, Territory in which slaves were permitte
le by law to be held.
9th. No further amendment Of the Col
stitution should affect the preceding art
"a cles; nor should any amendment be mac
.. to the Constitution authorizing or giving
~ Congress any power TO abolish or inteTfe
with Slavery in any Of the States by who
Of laws it should be allowed or permitted.
IN Such, in brief, were the leading featur
70 Of Mr.. Crittenden's celebrated proposition
=, of compromise. Had it been submitted
=, the people, as he proposed it should be,
~ is not i'm prob tnaL In the tneu OlsITaCtt
=. =. state of the public mind, it would ha'
=. been ratified if the seeding States had v
-. ted for it, and had become part Of the 8
40 preme law of the land. Had that terrib
.. calamity befallen this nation, binding it,
it would. for all after time, q volunta
- slave to, and propagator and defender
~ the institution Of Slavery, eternity wou
a. hardly have been too long for repentant
:. such an infinite sin against humanit
.s Christianity and liberty. But were Z
no country required to act now, upon tt
rs plan. who here doubts that Henry Wills
~ Of Massachusetts, spoke truly when, wit
70 in a fortnight Of this hour, he said in
=, Senate Of the United States that an owe
~ whelming and uncounted majority of
a people today would reject it with scor
~ [Applause.]
is AMENDMENT OF THE U. 8. CONSTITUTE
in Next, recall the proposition which,
le- March, 1861, was passed by two-thirds
he both Houses of Congress, to amend t
he Constitution so that il should declare tt
ms "no amendment shalt be made to the Cons
i'm tuition ,chich shall authorize or giUc to Co
- oress the pover to abolish or interfere aciti
ed any State sOith the domestic institutio
-. | ,o.ol,<J;,O TINT NJ 11p1SOn2 held