Senator Crittenden's Compromise
Proposition
Senator Crittenden is among the least extortionate
representatives of the Pro-Slavery section of the Union. We may
reasonably assume, therefore, that he would be content with as mild
concessions as any of his cotemporaries. And yet he demands, as the
basis of another "final settlement," the recognition of the right of
Slavery to all the Territory, "now or hereafter
acquired," South of 36:30!
He follows up this demand by others, viz:
The recognition of Slavery as property, and its protection
in all the Territories south of 36:30:
No Congressional interference with Slaves in the States, or
in the District of Columbia:
No interference with the transportation of Slaves from one
State to another, whether by land, river or sea:
Compensation for rescued Fugitive Slaves:
The right of Congress to demand the repeal of State laws
calculated to impede the recovery of fugitives: and
The equalization of the U.S. Commissioners' Fees, whether
the claimed fugitive is surrendered or not.
These propositions have the merit of distinctness. No one
can misunderstand them. But they are partial and one sided; and
cannot be deemed to embody that spirit of mutual concession without
which it will be quite impossible to effect such an adjustment as
will even approximate a "final settlement."
But if this be true of what Senator Crittenden proposes,
what may we expect to be the character of the plan which will be
satisfactory to Senators Mason or Toombs?
