East Saginaw courier., 1865-08-30
EIGHT YEARS IN CONGRESS.
It's Members---Their Character
and Votes.
II Chapter from the Forthcoming
VOiune of Hon. S. s. COr.
Why the Crittenden and other Compri-
misses Failed.

Ii was my intention, in the volume,
to have prefxed to the speeches such
recollections connected with the rise
and progress Of our civil war as would
illustrate Its motive and life. Espe-
cially did l intend to sketch these in
ner 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 a volume by itself to
connect with the recorded facts such
memorabilia. Their recital would
give personal interest and piquancy
to these historic events but that labor
must he reserved. 1t 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 fetters which weigh
them down. Is it Ossian, or some
other writer, (the sentiment hardly be-
longs to our times who says that while
we should be tide Of many streams
against the enemies of our country,
we should be as q zephyr upon the
grass toward fallen foe While re-
calling much that occurred during the
winter of lS60'6l, it would he gener-
Gus now only to record the inclinations
and efforts { those under condemna-
ton who then endeavored to stay the
madness of secession.
One thing is remarkable as connect
ed with that Congtess. For weeks,
nay, months, the Southern leaders of
the Senate and House opesly pro-
claimed their doctrine Of secession,
argued the abstract and practical ques-
tons connected with such movements,
with great formality and solemnity,
presented their ordinances of seces-
sion, and under their sanction with
drew. This was done with all the
grace of impassioned and polished
eloquence.
Terribly beautiful the serpent lay,
wrs"thed like coronet Of gold and jewels.
1t was done, without that protest
from any one of the Republican men,
bers which their present temper would
seem to have required. One by one
the States became thus unrepresented !;
and not q word, except sometimes de-
bate on the abstract right to secede,
or tacit acknowledgement that it was
best for the time. No attempt was
made to arrest any one, If we may
except an affidavit by some p rson of
no consequence, and whose name can
not now he recalled, on the basis of
which he vainly urged an arrest Of
Davis and others for treason. Even
so prominent a Republican as Lieu
tenant Governor Stanton, of Ohio, to
say nothing Of his namesake the Sec
retary of War, Mr.. Greeley, and Mr..
Chase, abetted this movement by pro-
posing no constraint upon the depart
ing sisters.
These facts, as forerunners Of the
mighty conflict of arms, would be in
expl,cable did we not remember that
from December, 1860, until March,
1861, there was hope, as Douglas
and Crittenden tclegraphed TO Geor-
gia, that 1.-THE rights of the State and
section would be protected in the
Union"
The first efforts Mt conn romise were
by no means confined to the Demo-
cratic Senators and members. Gov.
Corwin, Mr.. Adams, Mr.. Edward JOY
Morris, and Others in the House; Sem
ators Cameron, Baker, Dixon, Foster,
Collamer, and others in the Senate,
were. at the beginning of the session,
and for sometime afterwards, regard
cd as not indifferent TO compromise
which would at least retain the border
States, If IL did not stop tho move
ment Of the Gulf States.
The thirty-sixth Congress was unu-
sually gifted. Especially were tho
Southern States represented by their
most experienced aud able men. =
They hoped that the step they were
about to take would be bloodless
that THAR arrav In efrcnofh. with thar