The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-08-18
EIGHT YEARS IN CONGRESS.
It's Members-Their Charac-
tiers and Votes.
A Chapter from the Forthcon-
ing Volume Of Hon.
s. S. Cox. .

s. s. Cox.
Why the Crittenden and other
Compromises Failed.
prefxed to the speeches such recollections con-
nected with the rise and progress Of our civil
-. war as would illustrate its motive and life.
Especially did intend to sketch these inner
political facts and scenes which my position
enabled me to observe. But the volume would
be too much enlarged by their elaboration. 1t
would require volume by itselfto connect with
the recorded facts such . memorabilia. Their
recital would give personal interest and piqu-
ancy to these historic events; but that labor
must be reserved. It would scarcely be kind,
now that the leaders of the rebellion are under
the ban, and many of them incarcerated, to add
anything to the reprobation which they have
received. or to the letters which weigh them
down. Is it Ossian, or some other writer, tthe
sentiment hardly belongs to our times,) who
says that while we should be tide of many
streams against the enemies of our country, We
should be as zephyr upon the grass toward Q
fallen foe? While recalling much that occurred
during the winter of 186061, it would be gen.
erous now only to record the inclinations and
efforts of those under condemnation who
then endeavored TO stay the medness of Sc
eession.
One thing is remarkable as connected with
that Congress. For weeks, nay, months, the
Southern leaders of the Senate and House
openly proclaimed their doctrine of secession,
argued the abstract and practical questions con-
nected with such movements, with great for
mality and solemnity, presented their ordin-
ances of secession, and under their sanction
Withdrew. This was done with all the grace
of impassioned and polished eloquence
Terribly beautiful the serpent lay,
Wreathed like csrOnet of gold and jewels.
1t was done, without that protest from any
one of the Republican members which their
present temper would seem to have required.
One by one the States became thus unrepre-
scented and not q word, except sometimes de-
bate on the abstract right to secede, or tacit
acknowledgment that it was best for the time.
No attempt was made to arrest any one, we
may except an affidavit by some person of no
consequence. and whose name cannot now be
recalled, on the basis of which he vainly urged
an arrest of Davis and others for treason.
Even 80 prominent q Republican as Lieuten-
ant Governor Stanton. of Ohio, to say nothing
Of his nameseke the Secretary of War, Mr..
Greeley, and Mr.. Chase, abetted this move
ment by proposing no constraint upon the
departing sisters. .
These facts, as forerunners of the mighty
conflict of arms, would be inexplicable did we
not remember that from December, 1860 I'M
til March, 1861, there was hope, rs Douglas
and Crittenden telegraphed to Georgia, that
" the rights of the South and every State and
section would be protected in the Union"
The first efforts at compromise were by no
means confined to the Democratic Senators
and members. Gov. Corwin Mr.. Adams Mr..
Edward Joy Morris, and others in the House;
Senators Cameron, Baker, Dixon, Foster, Col
lamer, and others in the Senate, were, at the
beginning of the session, and for sometime af-
forwards, regarded as not Indifferent to a COM
promise which would at least retain the bor-
der States if it did not stop the movement of
the Gulf States.
The thirty-sixth Congress was unusually gift
ed. Especially were the Southern States rep
resented by their most experienced and able
men. They hoped that the step they were
about to take would be bloodless that their
array in strength, with their means of resist
ance, would prevent coercion by arms. Even
SO late as as the secession of Texas, after Judge
Reagan, one of its representatives had left his
seat, he took pains to inform me, that he
thought the South would be out only for a sea-
son, and when the excitement subsidized, and
especially il any guarantees were given of the
protection Of their rights. they would return.
In this, how signally experience and ability
failed to discern the future Mankind geuer-
ally reckon the greatness of men by success.
II this be the tombstone, the vaunted states.
manship of the South vaniShes. But what a
company of conspicuous names answered to
the roll,call on the 9th of December, 1860.
At the head stands John C. Breckenridge,
offering his name, SO proudly connected with
the history of Kentucky, 70 the task of dis
Numbering the Democratic party, which had
once so hOnored him. He was among the last
to leave his home to take the sword for the
South. Now he is fugitive upon English
SOIL pleading with his stricken confederates to
90 the best by submission 10 Federal rule.
Foremost in influence, if not in rank is Jetler-
son Davis; how then unlike that Davis who.
in Maine. but a few years age, had spoken nobly
for the Union and how unlike that Davis, the
captive of the Michigan cavalry, and the pri-
soner at Fortress Monroe! His State was not
among the foremost to secede. She waited
Entil the 9Th of January. 1861, before passing
her ordinance, and her Senators fingered until
the slst before they withdrew, 1t is generally
credited among those who were familiar with
Mr.. Davis inclinstions, that even after the Or
dinance passed, he was anxious to remain.
There is indubitab.e evidence that while In the
Committee of Thirteen. he was willing to &C
cept the compromise Of Mr.. Crittendeu, and
secede from secession. That compromise
failed: because, as Senator Hale said on the
18th Of December, 1860, the day 1t was intro
duced. it was determined the controversy
should not be settled in Congress When It
failed, the hero of Buena Vista became the
Confederate leader. Much "a he is moderated
now by Southern men, who opposed him dur
ing the war, he was fitted to be the leader Of
just such . revolt. Every revolution has q
fabulous or actual hero, comfortable to the
local situation, manners and character Of the
people who rise. To rustic people like the
Swiss, William Tell, with his cross bow and
apple to an aspiring race, like the Americans,
Washington, with his sword and the Law, are,
g Lamsrtine once said, the symbols standing
erect at the cradles ofthese two distinct Lieer.
ties Jefferson Davis, naughty. selfwnled,
and persistent, full Of martial ard0r and de6-
ant eloquence, is the symbol, both In lis char.
aeter and in HE present situation, OF the proud
and impulslve, but suppressed ardors and
aopes Of the Southern mind. His colleague IN
the senate, Gov. Brown, was, according tony
recollection, still more reluctant to sever the
connection. He was, even before the Charles
ton Convention, If not openly, covertly q CO
worker with Douglas and others in striving to
preserve the unity of the democratic party and
the country: Gov. Brown has been q member
Of the Confederate Congress, and has been
outspoken in his criticism on the'conduet Of
the Confederate authorities.
doubt If he had much heart or faith in the
secession movement. BE was overshadoved