Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-08-11

It's Members-Their Characteristics
Opinions and Votes.
THE CRITTENDES AND OTHER COM
PROMISES
Ri s. $ COZ

10 observe But the volu ne would be too much
enlarged By their elaboration. II would require
volume By itself 10 connect with the recorded
facts such = memorabilia. Their recital would
give psrsn nal interest and piquancy 70 those HE
torc ever u: but that labor must be reserved. IL
you'd scarcely be kind. now that the leaders Of
the rebellion are under the ban, and many Of
them incarcerated. 20 add anything 10 the repro
baton which tbev have received, or 20 the letters
which weigh them down. Ii IL 0sson. or some
other writer The sentiment hardly belongs to our
own tines sho says that while We should be q
tide of many streams against the enemies OF oEr
country ve should be as a zephyr upon the grass
toward a fallen foe | would emulate that
Christian philosophy not only in writing. bat in
acting. While recalling much that occurred
during the Winter Of 1860 'bl, il would be gene
rous now only TO record the inclinations and
efforts of those under condemnation who then
endeavored to stay the madness Of secession.
One thing is remarkable ss connected With
that Congress. For weeks, nay months, the
Southern leaders in the Senate and House
openly proclaimed their doctrine of secession,
argued the abstract aud practical questions con
nected with such movements. with great form
atty and solemnty, presented their ordinances
of secession, and under their sanctions with
drew This was done In the presence OF excited
and awe struck audiences. Ii vas done with all
the grsces OF imprisoned and published elo-
quenee.
Terribly beautiful the serpent lay,
Wreathed ike a coronet Of gold and jewels.
IL was done without that protest from any one
Of the Republican members which their present
temper would seem 10 have required One by
one the States thus became unrepresented: and
not a word, except sometimes debate on the alb
attract right to secede. or tacit acknow edgment
that il was best for the time No attempt was
made TO arrest any one. If we may except an aft
davit by some person Of 10 consequence. aud
whose name cannot now be recalled. on the basis
of which he vainly urged arrest OF Davis and
others, for treason Even 20 prominent a Re
publican as Lieut.. Gov. Stanton. of Ohio, to say
nothing of bis namesske, the Secretary of War,
Mr.. Greeley, and Mr Chase. abetted this move
ment by proposing consirsint upon the de
parting sisters.
These facts, as the forerunners of the mighty
conflict of arms would be ineIplicable did we
not remember that from December. 1850. until
March, 1861 there was hope, "a Douglas aud
Crittonden teegraphed to Georgia. that "the
rights of the South aud OF every State aud sec
ton would be protected in the Union"
The first efforts compromise were by no
means confined 10 the Democratic Senators and
members Gov Corwn. Dir. Adams, Mr. Ed
ward. Joy Morris. and others in the House
Senators Cameron, Baker Dixon, Foster. Cola
mer and Others in the Senate, were at the be-
ward, regarded as not Indifferent 10 compro-
mise which would at least retain the border
States. it it did not stop the movsmsn, Of the
Gulf States.
The Thirty Sixth Congress was unusually gif-
ted Especially were the Southern States repre-
scented by their most experienced and able men
They hoped that the step they were about TO
take would be bloOdless thst their array in
strength, and with the mlen Of resistance would
prevent coercion bJ arms Even so late the
secession of Texas after Judge Reagan, one oil
its representatives,, had left his seat, ne took
pains 10 inform me that he thought the South
would be out only for a season, and that when
the excitement subsidized and especially il any
guarantees were given of the protection Of their
rights. they would return. 10 this. how signally
ability and experience. failed TO discern the fu
turel Mankind generally reckon the greatnes:
Of men by success Ii this be the touchstone
the Wanted craftsmanship of the South vsnshes
But what a company of conspicuous names an
swered 10 the roll call on the 9th OF December
1861
AT the head stands John c. BreckinTidge. of
fering his name. so proudly connected with the
history of Kentucky. TO the task OF dsmenber
ing the Democratic party, which had once SC
honored him. He vas among the last TO leave
his home To take the sword for the South. Now
he is a fugitive upon English soil, pleading with
his stricken coufederstes 10 do the best by sub
mission TO Federal rule Foremost in influence
if not in rank. is Jefferson Davis; how then IN
like that Davis who. in Maine. but few years
before. had spoken molly for the Union: and
how unlike that Davis the captive of the Michi-
gan cavalry and the prisoner At Fortress Mon
roe His State was not among the foremost 10
secede She waited until the 9Th Of January,
1861. before passing her ordinance. and iher Sen
ators fingered until the 2lst before they with
drew. IL Is generally credited among those
who were familiar with Mr.. Davis nclinations
that even after the ordinance passed he was
anxious TO remain. There Is indubtsbe evi
dence that while IN the Committee of Ihirteet
be was willing 10 accept the compromise of Mr.
Crittenden. aud recede from secession Tha
compromise failed because as Senator Hale
said. on the 18th of December, 1850. the day il
MAS introduced. il determined the contro-
versy should not be settled In Congress When
il failed the hero of Buens Vista became til,
Confederate leader. Much as he il undsrrateC
now ey Southern men who opposed him during
the war. ne was fitted TO be the leader Of JUS
such a revolt Every revolution has fabulou,
or actual hero conformable to the local situation
manners and character of the people who rise
To rustic people Ike the Ssiss, William Tell
with bis cross bow and the apple. TO an aspiring
race like the Americans, Washington. with hi.
sword and the law. are. Lamsrtne once said
the symbols standing erect as the cradles OF these
two distinct LioertIeSi Jefferson Davis naughty
self willed. and persistent full of martial ardo
and defiant eloquence. is the symbol both in hi
character and IN his present situation, OF tn,
proud and inpulsve. but suppressed ardors snC
hopes OF the Southern MUD His colleague in thl
Senate, Governor Brown, Was, according 10 N,
recollection, still more reluctant 10 sever ID,
connection he was. even before the Charles
ton Convention. il not openly, covertlv co
worker with Douglas and others in striv
ing 10 preserve the unity of the Demo
cratic party s1d The country. Governor Bro-r
has been a member Of tie Confederate Congress
and has been outspoken IN bis criticism on the
conduct OF the Confederate authorities | doub
II be had mueh heart or faith IN the secession
movement. lie VAS overshadowed az a Senator
by Mr. Davis. but vas far more approach able
aud perhaps more KIDD in hi. relations to~arc
other members The most truculent Senator
from the South was Nigfall, Of Texas. a man o
SCARED face and fierce aspect but with rare gifti
of oTatory. bitter at times. If Dot classical 10 hi,
denuncistions But much OF his strong talk ans
eccentric conduct ospg 10 thai indulgenc,
which the ." Hole N the " al furnished 70
Congressional rrsngle Colonel Wigfsll was
master drnker Had be lived among the ancen
Persiane he would have been n high esteem
Darius Hsstaspes. among bic other virtues hat
il recorded on his tombstone. WigfAll nigh
truthfully upon biz. " here lies = man, thai
whom no one could hold greater quantity o
liquor =
Nextto him in tfurulercy though not In 50