The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-04-26
COMPROMISE.

fairs of men that 1t Is difhcult to deter
mine, among jarring opinions, what is
the truth. There are necessary evils,
sometimes, which require time and
patience to make proper cure. Ofthis
character we regard African slavery in
this country. Its origin was the fault
Of the civilized world butts evil effects
were left to be borne by our country
alone, particularly its southern part
After the lapse ofages it had grown into
an institution of great magnitude; SO
that, at the time of the formation of the
Union, it was deemed absolutely necessa-
ry TO compromise on the question, and to
leave its extinction 10 moral, rather than
political influences II may have been
that the opinions of men, at the time,
were a little loose on the subject for
the slave trade had not yet been abol-
ished, and slavery then existed to
greater or less extent in almost every
one Of the original States. 1t is certain,
at all events, that il it had been deter
mined not to Recognize property in
slaves, this Union could not have been
formed The States were then undoubt.
eddy separate sovereignties, and no force
would have been thought of to compel
n Union. There would have been formed
perhaps several CONFERENCE.-The
Southern States, including Maryland,
being most interested in the institution
of slavery, would doubtless have formed
A Confedcracy embracing all the terri
cory intended to be oomprehcnded in the
late rebellion
The Union having been formed on the
basis Of compromise on this question,
(which induced the old Abolitionists to
call the Constitution "a covenant with
Hell") it became indispensably necessary
10 conduct its government in the spirit
Of compromise, Consequently, every
departure from that course, and every
attempt to cause the General Govern
ment to act partially on the subject,
was violation Of the plighted faith Of
the country, and contempt for tho labors
OF lis illustrious founders.
1t was unfortunate that the danger
Of political disputes in regard to slavery
In the territories was not foresecn, and
provided for in the Constitution. This
did not, however, dispense with the ne
ccssity for compromise where such dis
putes arose. In 1920 the Missouri
Compromise was adopted. The mistake
then made was that it was not effected
by change Of the Constitution; for it
was an assumption Of power, on the part
Of Congress to regulate slavery in the
territories, not warranted by the Consti-
tuition. Had it been settled by n change
of the Constitution there would have
been no chance left for mischicyous
constructions, or political agitation of
the question We would have had no
subsequent repeal of that compromise,
no Kansas War, no anti-compromise
platform Of the Republican party at
Chicago, no bred Scott decision, no
anti-compromisc Southern party, no sue
cess Of Northern sectional party, no
Secession, and no Civil War.
The Missouri Compromise was con.
cession against slavery, but about as
near right perhaps as could then be
agreed upon. 1t did not stop the agita-
ton of the question as to territory sub
soqucntly acquired, and its application
to such territory was positively refused.
1t was then determined to repeal that
compromise, and to substitute in its
place the doctrine Of non-interference by
Congress--lcaying the question to be
determined by the law of nature, and
the good sense of the actual settlers in
the territories. This was doubtless the
true mode of compromise, short of a
change Of the Constitution and had
our people possessed the virtues of their
fathers, it would have settled fairly the
conflicting interests Of the two sections.
The law of nature was adverse to the
permanent spread Of slavery, and its ex-
istence in most of the territory would
have speedily ended. 1t is only where
the slaves are numerous, and the pro
ductioRs of the soil peculiar, that sla-
very could endure long
Ultra politicians, however, could not
let slip SO fine chance for agitation,
and the Kansas war was the conse-
quence, ip the only spot where there
could be any dangerous collision; and
where, ifthc proper conFse bad been
taken by either of the belligerents, il