Year: 1861

My DEAR SIR Your esteemed favor
OF the 17th inst has reached me.


There appears to be very great mis-
understanding in the public mind as to
the present condition of affairs at the
Capital of the nation, and especially in
relation to the demands of the secession
lists upon the Union men of the North.
| find that the impression prevails quite
extensively that the g Crittenden propo-
silion," as it is called. is simply re- es-
tablshment of the Missouri Comprom-
ise line. This is very far from the truth.


Mr.. Crittenden proposes to extend the
line of 36 deg. 80 min through to the
Pacific Ocean, and TO agree BY Conslitu
tlonal provision to protect and defend
slavery in all the territory of the United
States South of that line Nor is this
all. lie noo proposes that this protection
to Slavery shalt be ertendea to all terri
tory that may hereafter be acquired ,South
of that line. The sum and substance of
the whole matter is that we are asked,
for the sake of peace, to surrender all of
our cherished ideas on the subject of
slavery, and to agree in effect, to provide
slave code for the Territories South of
SO deg. 30 min., and tor the Mexican
provinces as soon as they shall be brought
within our jurisdiction. 1t is demanded
of us that we shall consent to change
the Constitution 10 a genuine pro-slavery
instrument, and TO convert the govern
ment into great slave breeding, slavery
extending empire.


Every man blessed with ordinary fore
sight must see what would be the inevit-
able and almost immediate consequence
of the adoption OF this provision as
part of the Constitution. 1t would dis
close itself to be tie very reverse of a
measure Of peace. Raids would at once
begin upon the provinces of Mexico F;
war would ensue /; the annexation OF
Sonora, chihuahua, Cohahuila, Nuevol-
con, Tamaulipas and other provinces
would follow they would be converted,
at the instant of their acquisition, from
free TO slave territories, and ultimately
be admitted into the Union as Slave
States. Much as love peace and seek
20 pursue II 1 am not prepared 10 pay
this price for it. Let no man in Iowa
imagine for moment that the Critten-
den proposition is for mere restoration
OF the Compromise line of 1890 II is
simply and truly the application of the
breckenridge platform to all territory now
acquired or hereafter 10 be acquired south
of SO deg. 30 min, and would result, if
adopted, in the acquisition and admission
of new slave States for the ostensible
purpose of restoring what is called the
equilibrium of the sections. The restor-
alton of the Missouri Compromise line
has been offered to the disunionists and
contemptuously rejected. Their maxim
is "rule or ruin


confess that look with amazement
upon the course of the Northern sympa.
thizers with the disunionists. Six years
ago they assisted to break down com
promise of thirty. four years standing
and defend their action by what they
claimed to be the right of the people to
determine for themselves what should be
the character Of their own domestic in
stitutions. Their was much plausibilitv
in their agreement. They made party
creed Of it. Now, after the lapse of six
short years, they have become SO pro-
slavery in their opinions that they are
willing to ignore the past and recognize
and protect slavery in the very country
which they boasted that their own act
had made free.


There are other provisions in the Crit
tenden resolutions which to my mind are
wholly inadmissable, but let them pass
My objection is TO any compromise. |
VIII never consent TO compromises or the
imposition of terms upon me or the peo-
pie represent under threats Of breaking
up the government. | will "not give
reasons under eompulsion." No surer
or more eiiectual way could be devised
Tor converting this into revolutionary
government than the adoption Of a com
promise expedient at this time.


Eight months ago the four political
parties of this country, in their several
conventions, announced certain abstract
propositions in their platforms which
each believed to be true, and which, if
acted upon, would in their opinion, most
eonduce 10 the prosperity OF the whole
country. The issue upon these propo-
slIlons was submitted TO the people thro'
the ballot-box. Ore party was success
Ia! as either might have been but tor-the
lack of votes. and now one of the van
qulshed parties seeks to overthrow the
government because they were not them.
selves the viciors, and will only consent
TO stay their work of demolition upon
the condition than we will agree to make
their platform. which is abhorrent 10 Us,
part of the Constitution Of The country.
Ater taking their chances for success.
and bein. defeated in fair aud manly
contest, they now ask to overthrow the
government under which they owe their
allegiance. How rapidly are we follow
ing IN the footsteps of the governments
of Mexico and South America


do not believe that the public mind
IS now in condition 10 calmly consider
the great questions involved in the amend
menls proposed. But suppose the peo-
pie We're anxious and willing that such
amendments 10 the Constitution should
be submitted 10 them suppose they were
in proper frame Of mind to weigh them