Year: 1860

NIB. CRITTENDEN'S PROPOSITIONS


In the Senate, on the 18th, MIR. Critten.
den explained resolution he intended te
offer. 1t would practically re-establist
the Missouri Csnpteihise, declare thai
Congress shall NOT interfere with slavery
in the States, provides for the faithful per-
formanee of the fugitive slave law, SO.


He said we were in troublous times
which required coneiliation and sacrifice by
every lover of the Union. Calm reflection
was necessary. If this mighty experiment.
be overthrown, it will be the greatest shock
ever received by civilization-worse than
the French revolution. Suppose the South
ern States come and ask to go out, and ask
fer fair division, would the North refusef
Would 1t not give them all they now have'
1t is, then, mere party spirit that prevents
giving them all they would get by estab-
fishing the line he proposed What would
they gain by refusal? Nothing, but all
the fatal consequences of disunion. In
view Of these mighty consequences and
great events, is it not better to settle il on
the Missouri Compromise line? The peo.
pie were satisfied with that for thirty years
and would be satisfied with it again. II
was his settled conviction that unless some.
thing is done, we would be separated and
a divided people in less than six months
Is not this the cheapest price to pay for
Unisn. Some people were not afraid, bu,
so sure as he stood there, disunion would
follow unless something was done, and he
feared il would swallow old Kentucky, as
true State as yet exists in the Union
He thought the North ought to be satisfied.
The South has only ons.third the territory.
When we come to make . pesce-offering,
do we measure carefully and count every
cent? 1t is glorious sacriice Of party to
save the Union-a Union which has cost
much sacrifice. Washington SAID Provi.
dencs helped them. Is this great work to
be dashed in pieces? The present trouble
was the result Of long controversy, and
We have new come to place where the
preservation Of the country demands the
sacrifice Of party. The highest duty of the
Senate is 10 preserve the Constitution and
the Government, and hand IT down to pos
terlty. We are in q position where histo-
ry will record our actions. When we saw
the discord and danger we showed bitter
party spirit, and great country was ru-
ined, and to the amazement of all the
world, the great republic has fallen and our
names 60 down with stigma upon them
He wished to God il was in his power to
save the Unies, by giving up his private
opinisn. He would forgive every one in
the South bent on revolution. He did not
believe in such madness. He could speak
for his own State. Old Kentucky will be
satisfied with this remedy, and stand by the
Uninn, and die by it. He closed with q
strong appeal to save the honor Of the flag,
and expressed the hope that such would
be tie case. He then offered the following:


WHEREAS, Alarming dissensions have
arisen between the Northern and Southern
States, as to the right Of the common terri
tory Of the United States, and it Is eminent
ly desirous and proper that the dIssensions
be settled by Constitutional provisions,
which give equal justice to all sections,
and thereby restore peace; therefore,


Resolved, That by the Senate and House
of Representatives, the following article be
proposed and submitted as an amendment
to the Constitution, which shall be valid as
part of the Constitution, when ratified by
the Conventions Of three-fourths Of the
people Of the States.


First. In all the Territory now or here
after acquired North of lat. 30 deg. 80
min., slavery or involuntary servitude, ex-
cept for the punishment Of crime, is pro-
hibited, while in all the territory South Of
that, slavery is hereby recognized as exist
ing end shall not be interfered with by
Congress, but shall be projected ss proper
ty BY all departments Of the Territorial
Government during its continuance. As
the Territory North or South Of said line,
within such boundaries as Congress may
prescribe, when it contains q population
necessary fer member Of Congress, with
a republican form Of Government, shall be
admitted into the Union on an equality with
the original States, with or without slavery,
as the Constitution Of The State shall pre-
scribe.


Second. Congress shall have no power 10
abolish slavery in the States permitting
slavery.