The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-08-18
It's Members-Their Charac-
tiers and Votes.
A Chapter from the Ferthcen-
ing Volume Of Hon.
s. s. Cox. % g
Why the Crittenden and other
Compromises Failed. 1

'nected with the rise and progress Of our civil
war % would illustrate its motive and life.
Especially did intend to sketch these inner
political hcts ed scenes which my position
enabled mo 70 observe. But the volume would
be too much enlarged by their elaboration. It
wouldrequire . volume by itselfto connect with
the Focogded facts such . memorabilia. Their
recita would give personal interest and piqu-
aucy 70 these historic events; but that labor
mnst be reserved. It would scarcely be kind,
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 1t Ossian, or some other writer, Vhe
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 asa zephyr upon the grass toward 9
during the winter of 186061, it would be gen
erous now only to record the inclinations and
efforts of those under condemnation who
then underworld 70 stay the mednees Of &C.
eeseion.
One thing is remarkable a. 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 COR
nected with such movements, with great fer
mality and solemnity, presented their ordin-
ances of secession, and under their sanction
WlkoMCWs xu6 W06 uOu0 VIII MI buC KEW
of imprisoned and polished eloquence.
Terribly beautiful the serpent lay,
Wreathed IKE ceronet Of gold and jewels
It 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 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, If 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 30 prominent Republican a. Leuten-
ant Governor Stanton, of Ohio, to say nothing
Of his namesake 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. un-
til March, 1861, there was hope, IS 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
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 COM
promise which would at least retain the bor-
der States, if it did not step 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
yunnli rrp huo Evan
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 sea-
son, and when the excitement subsidized. and
especially If 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 gener-
ally reckon the greatness of men by success.
If this be the tombstone, the Wanted states.
manship of the South vauishes. But what q
company of conspicuous names answered to
the roll,call on the 9th of December, 1860.
At the head stands John G. 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
Foremost in influence, if not in rank. is Jeffer-
son Davis; how then unlike that Davis who
IN Maine, but few years ago, had spoken nobly
for the Union and how unlike that Davis, the
captive OF the Michigan cavalry, and the pri-
eoner at Fortress Monroe! His State was not
among the foremost to secede. She waited
until the 9Th of January. 1861, before passing
her ordinance, and her Senators fingered until
the 21st before they withdrew, 1t is generally
credited among those who were familiar with
Mr.. Davis inclinations, that even after the Or
dinAnce passed, he was anxious to remain.
There is indubItable evidence that while in the
Committee of Thirteen, he was willing to ac-
cept the compromise of Mr.. Crittenden. and
secede from secession. That compromise
failed; because a. Senator Hale saM on the
18th of December, 1850, the day 1t was intro
duced. it was determined the controversy
should not be settled IN CongresA When It
failed, the hero Of Buena Vista became the
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
hhulous or actual hero, confor0Ah1e to the
local situation, manuers and charaefer Of the
people who rise. To arustic people IKE the
Swiss, William Tell, with his cross bow and
apple; to an aspiring race, like the AmGicans,
Washington, With his sword and the hw, are,
- Lamartine once said, the eymbols sanding
erect At the cradles oftheee two distinct Lieer.
tiesi jefferson Davis, naughty. selfwnlsd,
and persistent, fun of martial ardor and de4-.
ant eloquence, 10 the symbol, both IN Lis char.
acter and in HE present situation, Of the proud
ana impulsive, but suppressed axdos and
ropes Of the Southern mind. His colleague IN
me senate, Gov. Brown, was, according tony
recollection, still more reluctant to sever the
connection. He was, even before the Charles
ton convention, nnot openly, covertly CO
worker with Douglas and Others In striving to
Unit Of 81 H.
the country. Gov. Brown hss BEEN member
Of the Coniederate Congress, and has been
outspoken In his criticism on the'conduct of
the Confederate authorities.
doubt If he had much heart or fsith in the
secession movement BE was ovcrshsdovod
as Senator by Mr.. Davis; but was far more
approachable, end perhaps more kind, I'm his
relations toward other members. Tia mo1t
truculent Senator from the SoatA was Wiofiu.
of Texas, q man Of SCARED face and fierce Is.
pect but with rare gifts of oratory; bitter It