Year: 1861

IHIAetH on ftueTdt -1rGtrS. Presented tu tlT-


HetTen, January 81, ls6l.


Ma SFEAKER: The unpersigned the minority
of the Select Committee of Thirteen, TO
whom it was referred the resolution proposing
that this House adopt as their sentiments the
proposition offorded in the L. s. Senate by the
Hon. John j. Crittenden, aud to whom was re-
ferred the various resolutions of the House npon
their views upon the same:


They would say, without intending to cast any
reflections upon the presiding officer OF this
House in the formation of said committee. that.
in their opinion, justice as well as ali parliamen-
tary usage and law, would say that the friends
of the original proposition should have a major
ity on the committee, and more especially when
the original proposition, or resolution was the
Cr.ttenden amendments. Afterward multitude
cf propositions and resolves were referred to said
committee, upon which the committee made a
unanimous report, which was afterward recon-
mitted. Upon all of the various propositions we
will not detail but being moved by impera
tive sense of duty to our common country, We
ask prompt action upon some scheme of adjust
ment that will preserve the Federal Union and
restore tranquility to the country. Entertaining
thu most profound convictions of the blessings,
as well as the threatened dangers of the Union,
they are willing TO make great sacrifices to per
petuate the one and avert the other.


AT time like this, when the foundations Of
the National Government are shaken, and its
pillars are crumbling away. it is the solemn duty
of every patriot of the land to discard all speci
Gus fallacies in regard to slavery-all bring re-
sentiments for supposed aggressions--all prided
sectional asimosities, and all'partisan criminal
ities, and forgetting the mutual provocations,
Of the past, bring all offensive doctrines and
platforms--all abstract theories and barren creeds
AS sacrifices upon the alt ar of common coun-
try.


The undersigned, entertaining these views,
have been and now willing to sacrifice their
former political ideas, notions and opinions upon
the altar of their country, for the sake of pre-
serving the heritage our fathers left us They
are panied to witness the present excited and
alarming state of the public mind, yet common
ustice seems to require that we should revert to
the history of the past and what it is that has
brought our nation to the verge of dissolution.
In doing so we must say that the continued agi-
tation in Congress, in the State Legislatures,
and before the people by fanatical vagabonds,
about the present alarming condition of affairs,
anti-slavery lectures, orators and stump speak
ers have it seems to US, done all in their power
to aid and assist in the great drama, and even
professed ministers of God, men who hypocriti
caily pretended 20 be ambassadors OF the Most
High, have descended from their lofty position
and prostitutcd their talents and the pulpit, soil
cd the robes of religion, disgraced decency and
outraged morality by their infamous and hellish
llaraneues to aid in the unholy and unchristian
cause of bringing about contention and strife.
Their whole theme has been Of the wrongs OF
another race upon whose very form the God of
creation has stamped the impress of inferiority
to that Of the whites and by their lectures,
speeches and sermons have pertinaciousiy con-
tinued the crusade until We now stand, asst were,
upon the slumbcring volcano with its hot, boil
ing lava rolling and laundering beneath our feet,
and wanting but breath 10 oyerghelm all In a
common ruin.


Such is the terrible condition OF our country
to-day, and to this she has been brought by dem
agogues aad fanatics until portion of the peo-
pie of the Union seek to preserve their rights by
secessson Star after star has fallen in quick
succession from the national armament, and
soon more will follow unless the gaping, bleed
ing wounds of our country arc starnched. Can
we even hope for a return TO justice by the
Northl We fear not. Madness seems to rule
the dav. the hour; reason and discretion seem to
have fled their seats and left the impulses and
passions of men to run riot. Love OF country
seems to be forgotten, and patriotism banished
from the hearts of men. Confusion and discord
appear every hand.


In this condition of our country, in the pres
ent disordered condition of the hour, the under
signed believe that every effort for conciliation
should be exhausted. every offer of compromise
duly and fairly considered and well examined;
that we should meet our brethren of the South
as patriots and lovers Of common country, who,
while s.erny and properly protecting their own
rights and liberties, would not infringe upon ours;
that each and all should sacrifice partisan preu





to do for the good of our country, and accept any
offer which IS honorable and calculated to save
the country and the liberties of the people,
seems to us n plain duty as well patriotic
one In holding these views the undersigned
would accept ard respond to the invitation OF
Virginia for the appointment of Commissioners
to confer with Others at Washington City Oh the
4th If next February, and would accept the
propositions known a. the Crttenden, border
State, or any other just and honorable scheme Of
cancellation and adjustment which viii save the
Union and forever settle the slavery question.


They would further say that they believe this
Government derives its just powers from the
consent of the governed" and that it woulc be-
come subversve of the very spirit of liberty and
of natural right to attempt, By the strorg arm OF
Federal yower, backed up Il it would be by the
army and navy 10 coerce or compel the people OF
any State or States to remain an integral pact of
Government they desire to separate from, and
that we can not view but with serious alarm any
attempt upon the part of the General Govern
ment TO make vassals and seris OF the trecmeh
of the country, TO do homage TO
grea, power at the point Of the sabre or bayonet.
If such a course should be pursued, and be sue
cessful. the free citizen Of Indiana would have
no guarantee of his liberties worth the snd
when dominant party, placed in power upon the
very question which is now disrrpting the Gov