Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-12-25
The ISaue AOnrOachea.

Every present development indicates the
speedy event Of conflict of arms. The North
ern States, acting in their sovereign capacity,
could indeed pcrpetuate peace and restore the
Integrity of the Union. But the idea Of de
facto State sovereignty seems to be almost ex-
tinct at the North. In not single Northern
State has the effort yet been made by any por-
ton Of its citizens to secure the call of State
Convention. Common consent seems TO re-
gard each State North of Mason and Dixon's
line as nonentity in the present contest
The Northern States, ono and all, practically
consent to yield the whole power Of peace and
war into the hands Of the Federal Govern
ment.
At the South, people have ceased to affix
any practical Importance to the movements of
the General Government. Every Southern
man is looking anxiously to the action of his
own State. And, in every instance at the
South, separate State action, if employed at all,
will undoubtedly be employed in active mca-
surcs of resistance to Northern aggression,
which, however directed, must result both in
the suspension or destruction Of Federal Go,
vernmental agencies at tue South and in actual
hostitieS.
One Southern State has already acted,
through prompt and explicit ordinance OF
dissolution. There is yet time, if the North
ern States would seize it by the forclock, to
forcstal collision by Northern State action, ac-
knowcdgng the propricty Of South Carolnas
act Of secession and rendering to that sore-
reign Republic honorable terms Of adjustment
which would permit her return to the Union.
Still the Northern people fold their arms, and
look, some with dread, more wltIl confidence, all
with Difference, to the action Of the Central
Government to unite the knot or to cut it.
Meanwhile the present Federal Congress
virtually admits, what the Southern people
have found out long ago, that the legislative
branch can do nothing either in the way OF pa
cifcaton or of coercion. The present Federal
Executive has already sufficiently declared his
adherence to laisses .taire policy.
The President elect, through his organ at
Springfield, has promptly foreshadowed his
future policy. He docs not hesitate to declare
that he is prepared to treat South Carolina $
ordinance Of secession as a mere nulllty; that
he will take no notice OF it whatever, until the
State authorities shall attempt its pr0ct'r"f "l'-
ylication anil enforcement; that whenever
South Carolina shall attempt to interfere with
the collection or disposal Of import dntles Mr.
Lincoln will take prompt measures Tor armed
coercion.
That South Carolina aoill either prohibit
altogether the collection Of such duties, or will
collect them for her own use, no reasonable
man can doubt. Then, as Mr.. Lincoln's Spring
field organ threatens, then comes the tug o'
war"
And when it comes, every Southern state
will be ready 10 meet it. Some, doubtless,
will already have seeded. The others VIII
have Conventions in session. From Maryland
to Texas, force will be promptly met with
force, and especially will the tug Of war be
felt in the border States And when war shall
thus bc forced upon us, if not before, MIR.
Lincoln will be forced to relinquish Washing
tom The first effort of Maryland and Virginia,
so soon as they shall appeal to arms, will be
for the armed occupation of the Federal Capt.
tai. Thus it is clear that much bloodShed
might be saved, and the Northern States more
speedily brought to terms, should Maryland
aud Virginia promptly interpose to prevent Mr..
Lincon's inauguration at Washington, by
taking possession Of the Capital without delay.
From present indications, such step will be
unavoidable, sooner or later.