The Last Hope of the Union
The Kentucky Statesman
(Lexington), December 28, 1860
The failure of the Senate Committee of Thirteen, appointed under Gov. Powell’s
resolution, to concur in any report presenting a basis for the peaceful
adjustment of our political difficulties, was received in Washington
on Saturday last as the end of all negotiations and the sure precursor
of inevitable dissolution. To the action of that Committee attached
the last lingering hope of Union, and when its proceedings were eagerly
sought and announced, the gloom and despair was manifested in the countenances
of all. We have never witnessed a gloomier day in Washington. The most
sanguine and hopeful seemed at last to yield the cause before clung
to with great tenacity.The announcement of the dissolution of this Committee
without making a report will doubtless precipitate prompt and energetic
measures in the Southern States for secession. It will be received by
the country as the end of negotiations and compromise, and the signal
for action. A disruption will now be received as unavoidable, and all
parties will now look to their own safety and interest.This Committee
of Thirteen was composed of six Democrats, six Republicans, and one
Southern Oppositionist, Mr. Crittenden. It was manifest that a majority
report if [not] approved by the Republicans would be worthless, because
it was only by their votes the proposed measures could be carried through
Congress, and ultimately carried through the State Legislatures. Hence,
by a rule, the Committee was divided into two classes, Republicans and
Opposition men, and no report allowed to be made unless supported by
a majority of each class.The Crittenden Amendments were submitted by
their author, and it is said were urged with great fervor and eloquence.
The Southern men agreed to stand by them as a compromise, but the Republicans
voted in a body unanimously against every solitary one of these resolutions,
seriatim. The ayes and nays were taken and no Republicans crossed
the line to vote for a single measure proposed by Mr. Crittenden. The
Committee then ordered the Chairman to report the facts to the Senate.Thus
have the Republicans once more distinctly and unequivocally announced
that they will not yield a solitary plank or splinter of the Chicago
platform. They evince a mulish, stubborn, obstinate, sullen mood, callous
to consequences and utterly impervious to all the appeals of the country
for peace and justice. They intend to administer the Government on the
Chicago platform, recognize no secession of any State, and avow their
purpose to enforce the laws in all the thirty-three States regardless
of the consequences. This is the question we have now to meet. Submission
or Resistance is the issue. We have written RESISTANCE on our flag.
We trust there will not be a submissionist found in Kentucky.
