The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-19

between these distinguished functionaries, then
let us prepare for peace. Short Of q regular
setto in Hyde Park between Buchanan and
Clarendon, the last chance OF q war about Cen
trail America is gone. Seward is for war, and
. that kills it.
The Kansas observation-disclosures Between
the States ana the Federal Authority.
The proclamation of the President relative
to the anticipated troubles in Kansas, has
tiers that disturbances of serious nature may
happen in that Territory. II is regarded in
the light of collision between the people OF
Kansas and the federal government; and per-
sons of gloomy habit of mind look forward
to bloodshed, disorder, and perhaps civil war,
as its natural consequences
This is not in accordance with the teachings
Of history. Without searching carefully for
every instance of conflict Of authority be-
tween the States and the federal government,
five instances Of open rupture between the two
will occur to every active memory. All Of
these, it may be said, appeared more formida-
BILE in their inception than this Kansas squab-
bic, and all ended in smoke.
The first is known 10 history as Shay's re-
bellion. 1t grew out of the reluctance, and,
in some degree, the incapacity of the farmers
of Massachusetts to pay the excise duties and
State tax required to pay off the debt incurred
during the war. In September, 1856, mobs as
sembled and threatened the Legislature of
Massachusetts,, and also of some of the neigh
boring States Congress, alarmed at the phe-
nomenon, voted to enlist 300 men to put down
the rebellion in Massachusetts,, and to raise
half million of money to pay them. At this
time the constitution had not been adopted,
the government was unsettled: the war was
over certainly, but its bad effects remained,
and there was no saying how far the popular
reputation principles of Shay might spread,
or where the proposed collision might lead
The danger, boldly grappled with, soon
vanished. Shay and his men were put down
by the Massachusetts, militia, and the appre-
hended collision never took place.
In the year 1874, an insurrection took place
in the State of Pennsylvania, known in history
as the Whiskey insurrection. 1t was so gene
raj and SO we'll organized that for some time it
held command of the counties where it arose.
Governor AIif1in rather doubted his own autho-
rity to repress it; upon which President Wash
ington sent to Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Maryland, and Virginia, for q body Of $4,000
men, whom he afterward increased to $4,000.
People now said there would be a collision in
earnest. Many commended the cautious iner-
tia CT the Governor, and condemned the action
of The President as rash unconstitutional and
ill-advised. The Secretary Of State, Randolph,
was Of opinion that the appeal to force could
not but lead to general convulsion in which
the national prosperity and perhaps existence
would be grave,y jeopardised. Breckenridge
offered to prove that the rebels could defend
themselves against any force the general gov
eminent could send against them. Yet how did
the squable end Not only was there no con-
vulsion, no national crisis, aud no defeat, but
there was no fight at all-the rebels gave in
without striking blow, and the expected col
iision was again deferred.
Twelve years afterward, the minds Of men
were aroused by new prospect Of collision
between the government of Mr.. Jefferson and
the supposed rebels, filibusters or monarchists
Of the West and Southwest, under the CON-
mand of Aaron Burr. Letters from the Mis-
sissippi announced the imminent prospect of
civil war. Ohio, and the territories on the
Mississippi we're said to be ripe for rebellion,
and armed parties were already observed to
take possession of River Island, and other safe
spots. Mr.. Jefferson, not crediting the trea
sonable designs imputed to the malc0ntents,
Issued proclamation warning all men against
filibustering expeditions. At the same time
private instructions were sent to the Cover
nors of Territories to arrest Burr, and to the
commanders of the United States troops to be
ready to act for the preservation of the peace.
Assuredly, no one who is acquainted with the
molly character of the Mississippi, settlers or
the spirit of the men who were leagued with
Burr, will deny that this was an occa-
sion of great peril. A very little might
really have plunged the territory into
war-and such war But; in fact,
there was no declaration of war, or feint
of any such. Burr was quietly taken, and his
trial, acquittal and subsequent life are matters
of history.
Twenty years afterwards, the ownership Of
The Indian lands within the State of Georgia
had very nearly embroiled the United
States with the people Of that State. 1t
does not appear at the present day that the
question Of the validity of the treaty with the
Greeks need have involved quarrel between
the United States and Georgia; and one cannot
help ascriblng large share of the RESPONSE
bility for the feud to the hot temper Of Gov.
Troup. While it lasted, the dispute was warm.
Arms were distributed in Georgia, and the old
forts strengthened; people talked Of war conf
IDENTIFY. President Adams was we'll fitted to
act as damper to Governor Troup's zeal:
the controversy was settled.
In 1882, a collision between the general gov