Year: 1861

: action should not correspond to that of tn
: convention. the very difference would b
J made ths pretext for intensifying the bit
} terness and increasing the bad blood alread
existing.


, In either or any event what advantag
: would the Convention have over Congress
as body for doing the same work? Is i


in a full and fair representation of tn,
, people? No, for every State is representet
in Congress by senators and representa-
tiYes chosen for that purpose, and in tn
, convention but portion of the States cal
be represented. Again the Congressiona


representation is every way the most per
, feet. Ohio is represented there by twenty


three able men. Is it to be expected tha
: the half dozen sent to the convention


will have more wisdom or capacity? l


knowledge of the people and their wishe,


is of any consequence. Congress has mucl


the advantage, for our congressman are Sc


lected from every portion of the State, arr


closely Connected and in constant eommu.


nication with the people of the several dis.


tricts, have been elected with visw tC


the crisis and have been for months giving


undivided attention to the present compli-


cation of affairs. From whatever point
you view it. Congress is most fit to speak


clearly and wisely the will of the people.


The people of the several States can Ca


silly instruct their Senators and Represen-


tatiTes whether they shall propose or sup


port any amendments to the Constitution,


and the whole matter may be examined


and discussed in the legalized way without


any unnecessary aaiaa::ttiQn to the excitement


of the country.


Besides, sir, it seems to me that our en-


tering this Convention will be claimed to


bind US in honor to make Constitutional


changes of some kind We are only invi-


ted in case we are in favor of such amend


ments. The first of the Virginia resolu-


tions extends the invitation to all States


who are willing to unite in an adjustment


$50 as to afford to the people of the slave


holding States adequate guarantees for the


security of their rights" and the whole


tenor of the resolutions as well as the no.


torious sentiment of the Southern States


shows that they mean to be understood to


demand amendments 10 the Constitution as
the only adequate guarantees, and it will


be claimed that whoever goes into that
Convention, goes for the purpose of deter
mining only the nature of the amendments
which they will be pledged to make in
some form. The resolutions before us as
reported by the Committee. while they de-
ny that the basis suggested by Virginia is
satisfactory, do not say one word in favor
of the "COnStit~tion as 1t is.


Mr.. HARRISON. I wish to ask the
Senator from Trumbull whether he is op.
posed to making any changes whatever in
the Constitution for the sake of settling
present difficulties


Mr. COX. L was Just coming to the
question of Compromises, Mr.. President,
in the regular CT urse of my argument, and
before 1 get through with it l will pledge
the Senator from Madison that he shall be
answered as explicitly as he desires.


What should be our position in regard
to Compromises? This is indeed an impOr-
tant inquiry just now. As VIC decide it,
we may not only decide upon our own hon.
or and respectability in the eyes of all
Christendom, but We may decide the fate
of free institutions on this continent for
ages.


Let US endeavor, by recurrence to first
principles, to find what is involved in the
present controversy. The fundamental
doctrine of Republican government is that
the majority of the people may, through /
the forms of their laws, direct and control
the policy of the nation, in the manner
they shall deem best for the whole The
good of the whole people is the end we are
bound to seek, whether we are majority
or minority: the rule of the majority by
the administration is only the
means. The minority must respect the
right of the majority to direct the public
policy, because in the security of that right
is found the only guaranty for the rights
IF the minority themselves, either if they 4
shall become majority and obtain power. /
,r if they shall continue minority and
need protection.


The great question of public policy which l
low divides the country is the question of '
he extension Of the slave system into the
lew territories. I'he Republicans believe (
hat the system is the direst curse which a
vas ever fastened upon people. We be- S
ieve it paralyses its energies, degrades its a
rec laborers, makes education an impossi- {
,ilIty to the poor freeman, and cripples or ]
Gstroys every interest Of a country, whilst
renders the people less and less fit for P
epublican institutions Believing this, C
Te have regarded it our solemn duty to e
Sc every constitutional means to prevent S
he extension of. the system. We have S
ppealed to the people to examine the is "
les between US, and after years of strug- II
le and patient endurance of the govern n
lent Of our opponents, We have at last Sc d.
ured the verdict of the people in our IA I
or. Shall the judgment be enforced?- Fl
reason and armed rebellion meet US and n
ly, Nol The abettors of treason and re- is
ellion say, No! Having held power till ca
ley have grown into a practical faith in "
leir ''Diyine right to rule-having used tn
lat power with an unscrupulOusness which m
as destroyed just perception of the rel 81
tive rights of majorities and minOritieS- 70
,w that they have become the minority on
icy arrogantly refuse to surrender the
ins of government, and demand as con- is
tion of their consenting to stay in the /
MON with us, new and adequate con- til
itutional guarantees that their policy shall
guide the country in this great FIJI
ntroversy between free and slave labor. vi
Notwithstanding the distinct decision of the al
.ople against them on this very question hS
policy. le
If they are permitted to do this, we Il,
all have established the precedent that q
c administration of the government shall th
t be determined by the ballot box. but ic
the arms of rebellious factions; that at
IestiOns of policy and the public veal ha
all not be settled by the sober judgment "
the people as expressed by their votes, til
It by the enquiry whether a reckless mi co
Ill fho o.ov.,fr- 70 ,,ca-Fhafr