The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-03

The Usaior1

The UnAoR
The tone a levity and indi brcnce with which
certain disunipn papers are eccusloning them
selves to speak Of the graves matters of interna
tionai arrangement; the uncoaeern they profess to
feel In the conduct of negotiations between the
United Stats and foreign pe1ers, of the deepest
interest 70 many of the mernbers of the Confedci
acy, might be pardoned to the excessive zeal of
sudden conversion. or to the naiystA Of insxperi-
enced journalism But in the old horn blowers of
sedtion il betokens neither resolution in themselves
nor confidence in their cause. When, for example.
the Charleston Mercury pirates of q correspondence
between Mr. Webster and the British Secretary OF
Foreign Affairs, upon the subject Of free negro
sailors entering the ports of southern States, as
matter in which South Carolina has only the con-
Germ Of indifferent spectator, ii inspires little
respect for its sincerity, and less for the organiza
ton of which 1t is the mouth piece. We should be
10th to believe that the people Of South Carolina
could regard. with such absolute want Of interest,"
controversy between this and any other country,
were that State In reality severed from the Union
There memories and associations which might
keep alive something like a Partially for the re-
naming States. if ono should happen to swing
from it orbit. But if they have already begun to
regard US AZ foreigners, and 10 look upon monar-
chical governments with equal favor az upon their
own, they will have no reason to complain Of the
other States if they oppose a dissolution of the
Union, begun and set ON foot there, with just the
same determination and means they would en-
ploy in resisting an attempt upon the Conrederacy
from abroad. - ~ -f t,..s..t,... Z,
But such language is mere bravado on the part Of
the disunionis.s. 1t finds no response in public
sympathy, nor even an echo in the hearts of those
who use it. II is much in the spirit of Mr.. Acress
appeal to Sir Lucius O'Trigger: owe shant run,
Sir Lucius." quoth that redoubtable gentleman by
way Of assuring himself that he was about to do
something which he had no heart for And Just 30
do certain public organs speak of the dissolution Of
the Union with affected sang froid, or as thing
achieved, by way of avoiding the grim and ghastly
spectacle which intervenes between the conception
and its contamination. This Union, however de-
nounced by abolitionists on one hand or scdition-
mongcrs on the other, il yet of that dignity which
challenges the concern Of those who seek its over
throw; and whosoever assumes to consider il
tribe, neither conceas nor strengthens his nervous
condition. ff} fa KS 1890 I..ts.f
This habit Of light remark respecting the Union
has grown out Of an equally inconsiderate mode Of
speech, though perhaps more generally uscd. 1t
il quito the custom Of politicians 10 take il for
granted that the first drop of blood shed in civil
strife will be the knell of the Union- This suppo-
the hypothesis that the Constitution is in such an
and exhausted state that 1t cannot spare
blood enough to reduce bad humors or allay un-
natural or dangerous excitement. Public men,
who have been wise in other respects, have counte
nanced this delusion; and cabas, proiting by what
better mon have uttered. without exactly appreci.
atng the value of their words pross forward their
under an immunity fancied from the
idea that they cannot be touched without the certain
destruction Of tho Government If this be true, the
whole structure of the Republic is ut the mercy Of
every paltry club Of disunonists and treason plot
ters that may choose to array itself against the
power and sovereignty Of the Confederacy And
in this connexion northern fanatics are quite az
formidable to the safety of the State as southern
asK gysH go rssia9 % aai,a ~
But whence comes the idea that the only fabric
Of free government on earth is to disappear with
the smoke Of the first gun fred in it, dcfence3 or
whore is the warrant for supposing that the whole
structure of American liberty 10 to fade into no.
thingness, peaceably and quietly and ignomini-
ousy? for this result is argued as a corolary from
The superstition that the Union cannot be saved by
risiting with the penalties of treason such as COM
,ine to lay it in ashes The conspirator Is taught
% hold himself beyond the reach Of punishment,
because the means necessary to enforce his respon
eachers, the annihilaton of the sovereignty whose
law II outraged. According to this school of eth
cs, treason s alone athriving vocation in the land
for what sanction have good and true citizens If
he turbulent can bring confusion and dislnay upon
hem because they cannot be quelled without quslI.
ng the Government with them? This species OF
argument may keep disorg in heart till they
commit some overt act against the State. We ap-
prehend that, from that moment, they will find a.
little comfort in their logic as they will security in
4 theoretical impunity. ap q t9eia
But, to resume the inquiry: whence do they de-
rive tho fancy for il il merely SUCH that this Union
il to dissolve like mist; that il il to die out Of
inanition' Is there any example in ancient or
modern times Of powerful and prosperous peo-
pie losing their nationality without struggle
Has any. independent State ever succumbed to
foreign force or internal Vaccinations without fret
strewing the land with death? There is no ex-
ample of even bad governments suffering them
selves to be extinguished like candle, OF sponged
from the family Of nations like bad sum from