The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-12-21

directly or indirectly, in any State where
il exists under sanction of law. We be-
lieve they still adhere to that position
They claim the right to prevent its exten-
sion into free territory, to repel the en-
deavors to extend its influence into the
free States, and to overthrow the exclu-
sive control which it has established over
the general government. But they have
never failed hitherto to recognize the right
Of the southern States TO deal with il in
their own way,-to maintain it II they
see fit, or TO relieve themselves from il in
their own time and by their own methods,
without interference from any quarter.
II remains TO be seen whether they are
to be forced from this position, and driven
onward into the open ground held hither-
to exclusively by the abolitionists. That
the attempt will be made, and is already
making, is clear enough. The prevalent
tone Of the Tribune shows conclusively
that the portion of the republican party
which it represents are ready to throw
overheard every pretence of respect for
southern rights, and to wage war upon
the existence of slavery as directly, as ve-
hemently as they have hitherto contend
cd against its extension.
The proceedings of the present Con-
gress, we trust, will Immediately test the
extent to which the masses of the repub-
lican party are prepared to follow this
lead. The sooner this matter is settled,
the sooner we shall be able to make up
our minds as to tho position and tho pros
poets of the Union.
For, if the next Presidential canvass is
to be carried on upon such an issue as the
Tribune here presents to the South, the
slaveholding States of the confederacy
must choose at once between disgraceful
and abject surrender Of all the attributes
of sovereignty and independence, and a
definite rupture of the ties which bind
them TO the North. They cannot con-
sent even to open the discussion Of such
an issue without degradation. Possibly
the Tribune, and those who think with
it, count upon the cowardico or the com
mercial interests of the South rs sure to
coerce it into submission TO this invading
insolence of northern superiority. Posi-
bly, also they may look forward with COM
placency TO the spectacle of a Union lon.
ger cemented by tho reciprocal justice and
the unsulied self-respect of its members,
but held together by the vulgar bonds OF
force and fear. We believe they will find
themselves mistaken in their calculations.
We arc suro that no american who vnl-
ues the honor of his country can wish to
see these calculations crowned with sue
cess. To ridicule the cry of disunion
merely because it has been uttered a hun.
dred times, and fold ones hands in sleek
conviction that the South will suffer any.
thing rather than spurn dishonorablt
dominion, is the extreme of easy twaddle
If tho republican party is ready to en-
dorse the TriJane's doctrine of anti slave
ry action, rs thus set forth, the Union mol
only is, but ought to be, very seriously in
danger. To suppose it safe, in such q
case, is to suppose the population of tho
South race of such time-servers and i'm
beetles as we are not disposed TO believe
the inhabitants Of any American State tc
be.