The New York herald., 1860-12-10
The Southern States Falling One BY One
into the Line Of Secession.
Interesting Opinion Of the Attorney
General Of the United States.
What They Say b ssath Carolina Of the
Presidents Message.
The Character Of Abolitionism, by the Rev.
Mr.. Van Dyke, Of Brooklyn!
IMPORTANT PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOUTH.
ERN CAUCUS IN WASHINGTON.

IMPORTANT PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOUTH
ERN CAUCUS IN WASHINGTON.
. WASHINGTON, Dec 8, 1890
Secretary Cobb has completed his letter to the people
Of Georgia, and will be made public in day or two
He avows the most ultra sentiments and scouts the idea
that any compromise adjustment can be made with the
North He discusses at great length the issues involved
in the struggle between the North and the South and
maintains the clear and unquestional right of State
70 secede. His views are diametricaly opposed
to those Of the President, much so, indeed
that the moment they published he will be
compelled TO retire from the Cabinet He Is in daily ex
pectation of intelligence from his State that he has been
dominated candidate for member Of the convention
The moment he receives dispatches to tina, effect he will
leave for Georgia at once.
The great importance Of the Of Southern Sena
tors has induced me follow it up. Its action set
ties the question so far as the south concerned 1t
was attended by all the Southern Senator'S in the city
excepting Iverson He invited, but refused to at
tend Breckenridge also present. Its deliberations
were grave and dignihed and the debates exceedingly
able and interesting but programme of Congressional
action was agreed upon, or indeed seriously urged
Senators from States where the Legislatures have been
called or conventions ordered TO consider the pre-
sent position Of federal affairs, held that
he subject had been taken out OF their
hands, and quite unwilling to commit
Themselves 10 any course Of action in Congress. They
said no earthly power could arrest the tide Of dssou-
tion and the only question to be considered is one
Of reconstruction. With them the proposition OF Senator
Powell to raise select committee, met with no favor
II is even doubtful if any Of them would consent to
serve on such committee.
The rgh, Of secession seemed to be almost unanimously
conceded the caucus the doctrine Of coercion as
generally repudiated Indeed it is not certain that any
Gam Crtf
and even he did not think coercion wise practicable
At was in this regard that the action of South Carolina
'vas considered so potential she determined to go
out, and when out the other fourteen shveholding
Rctates were committed 10 maintain her. Whether
her action was wise or unwise, they held u 70
be right and they would not stand by and war waged
on her for the exercise of that right though mpotc
step for herse Thus, II held If South Carolina
eocs out she must be treated as rghtfuiy out OF the
rnon and permitted to remain cut, else war between
| the slave cholding and the non-slavcholdng State
must follow. But South Carolina need not 60
out alone One Of the most conservative and
today that the dcvelopements had convinced him that
druption the extent Of i've, If not seven States, be
fore the lesa Of January inevitable, and tha, no
thing that can be done Congress win arrest the dis
hster.
The great effort among the Southern men to get
together and TO induce all the States together, in
prder that they may be able 10 command such new
Guarantees for their rights necessary in
kase of reconstruction, or 10 be able 70 take
are Of themselves IL II be determined that the free
Ind slave states must separate forever.
This new ard important and formal programme has
,een presented for the consideration OF the Southern
INnators, and was talked in their caucus IL cma
hates from lamar the able representative from Msis
IA tn
one final action 20 give time to the other South
xn states to cooperate with them. The plan
10 have all the southern states In separate
conventions the time, and 10 adopt the present
overument OF ne United states at first, without any
10 provide for the execution Of a lands and
ami for the general and peaeeabc operation OF
the machinery cf the present government even after
ycrs states had soemnly withdrawn from the Union,
"a invite an the other states 10 join with them, with the
ope that New England win stay out
The fret feature in the programme Is 20 have all the
u,hern states in separate convention al the same time,
"a have such perfect understanding that they should on
c same day adopt the ordinances rctafim q
rcfin,.
second that such ordinances, whilst severing in sol.
an way the bonds which unite the said states TO the
ted States of North America, shall provide that the
Institution and laws Of the United States shall remain
fuI force and effect amongst the secedng states, aud
IA the present constitution shall be their consttu
q and compact
Third that the laws aud decisions u courts which arc
o force in the republic of the United states q North
nerica under the authority Of the government thereof
an be adopted al body Of laws for the federal govern
mt Of this the Jnaei states eg the South.
Fourth that the people of these United States South
hereby bind themselves TO observe and soundy ana
redly carry thc spuatons OF all treaties subsst
between the United states Of North America and
eirn governments anterior 20 the date Of this ord
hce un such treaties changed or altered, OF are
regarded by such nation with this government.
NTH that the following persons are hereby appointed
riors for the state of -, and are hereby an
rred and empowered 10 the vote Of this state on
day as may be agreed upon for President and Vice
sdent 81 the United States SOUTH and snch persons as
receive the highest number Of votes, according to
constitution which has been re-adop,ed, shah be
ted and naugurated, aud invested with the powers
ferred by the same constipation upon the Executive
the twentieth day after the adoption OF this ordinance
Sth, that the conventions TO provide for i'm.
iale convention OF Congress OF the United States
th either appointed by themselves authorizng the
sen, representatives to act, and tha, all osscers mail
ractors marshas and judges shall their otncee
otherwise ordered.