New Orleans daily crescent., 1860-12-28

forever, and TN antislavery party al the Noyt,,
might continue tl1r ughout all time to cxeycis TIA
power Of electing the resident, and the Southern
States be bound forever 70 acqniesce in their
choice, however ruinous if mi ht be to themselves,
ls it not clear that such a Government would be
the very definition Of tyranny, ard submission to
it the synonym Of folly, degradation and dishonor2
AS to the second objection, confess do not
exactly understand what is meant BY fFrg words
overt acts Of hostility IF they mean Illegal or
unconstitutional acts it is not at all probable that
any such will be committed. Why should they be,
when the Constitution itself supplies the most pow
erfui weapons for sssailing Jour institutions2 We
all know that the most odfous acts Of iniustice and
oppression are often committed under color Of
law; and there are many modes in which the instf-
triton Of slavery may be successfully attacked
without violating the forms OF the Constitution The
Supreme Court Of the United States might be 90
constituted as to become seryiTe instrument in
the hands Of Abolitionista. The financial and COM
mercial system of the Government might be 30 ar
ranged as to discriminate between the products of
free and slave labor The appointing power might
be so exercised az to make the possession Of a
slave virtual disqualification for Office, and ID az
to ill the Southern States with Northern eisssries
OF the antislayery party. All these acts would be
manifestly unjust and oppressive yet they would
not be overt acts of hostility because they
would violate NO. law. For my own part, / wantno
more unequyocaf act of hostility than the election
Of the Chief Magistrate Of the Union By the anti
slavery party, and on an anti-slavery platform In
comparison with this the abolition Of slavery in the
District Of Golunbia--the prohibition of the slave
trade between the States-ths repeal OF the
q A.nra Ex .l...sA
la State into the Union, becaxse it tolerated
I slavery in my opinion, be separately or
all combined, Of trifing Importance. However
oppressive or unjzst those acts might be they would
not directly endaager the institution Of slavery in
the States where t'airea6y exists. But the elec-
tfen Of the Chief Magistrate by such party, upon
such principles, is the inauguration of new sys-
tenn Of policy !; it is not only proclamation to- the
world that the powers Of the General Government
are henceforth TO be directed towards the extinc-
ton of slavery, but it affords the means of accom-
plshiBg this object. In fact, il is, in everything
but in NAME revolution "a is not surprising
therefore, that the people Of the Southern States
should be alarmed at this startling innovation and
should have manifested determination to resist it.
I rejoice to find this determination SO universal
among our citizens. So far as can learn there is
but little difference of opinion among them on that
point. The only question s how shall the resistance
be offered? Some think that the State should tai o.
no action except upon consultation with the other
Southern States. Others think on the contrary that
she should take, separately ana independently such
course her Judgment many dictate. In the latter
opinion fully concur.
h / admit that it is desirable that the Southern
States should, as seon as possible, adopt some
general plan of cooperation. But, as regards
preliminary conference between them, there are
several objections which appear to me inseparable.
The first is the delay which would necessarily at
tend it. In carrying it out it would be requisite
that the Legislatures of the fifteen Southern States
should convene and discuss it. suFposing (what 10
not at all probable) that ALL or even majority Of
them concurred in the proposition it would.he me-
cessary that they should authorize an election of
delegates to the convention and that this election
should take place. Several months, therefore,
would probably elapse before the convention
| could meet. AS it would be a very numerous
body, and would present fine opportunity for the
display of oratory, it is probable thatn month or
two more would elapse before the close Of its de-
iberations. The second objection is,that it is by
| no means certain that the Convention could agree
upon any plan that would be satisfactory even to
| the body itself. When we see such difference of
| opinion even among the citizens Of the same State.
it is hardly probable that the delegates of fifteen
| States would find it an easy matter to come to an
| understanding.
/ Thirdly. Even should the Convention agree upou
| a mode of proceeding, it would have to be sub
mted to the States for their approval or rejection.
SO that after all, would come back 10 the point
/ from whence we started, to-wit: separate State
/ action.
4 Fourthly. But the most conclusive argument
against a preliminary Convention is that if ever
practicable, the time for it has passed. Two States,
South Carolina and Mississippi have already de-
termined on separate State action. It is under
stood that Florida is nearly unanimous in favor OF
the same course, and there is every reaaon to be-
lieye that Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia. Ala
bama and Texas will adopt the same mode Of pro-
ceeding. As regards those States that have not
yet moved in the matter it is fair to presume that
if they shall determine to moye they will be gov
erned in their course by the existing state of facts
and will hardly commit the absnrdity Of asking Of
States that have already adopted their course, to
confer with them on the proper course to be adopt
ed; but, on the contrary, will cooperate with them
in the only way in which cooperation can be effect
ual, namely, by following their example.
For these reasons am of opinion that, as mat
ters stand, separate State action is not only
the best, but the enly practicable mode of pre-
ceeding
These, gentlemen, are my views on the subject
to which your letter refers. 1t is not IassHre you
without reluctance that have come to the concIu
sions have formed. / am not one of those who
contemplate the dissolution of the Union with any.
thing like joy or exultation On the contrary, il
has long been the object of my eherishsdaffections
and | would part from it with unfeigned sorrow.
But have the consolation to reflect that we have
done all in our power to preserve it; thatwe stood
by it as long as it stood by us, and only abandoned
it when, like unnatural parent, it sought to de-
stroy its own offspring. Having discharged our
duty to the Union, we have to discharge cur
duty to our native adopted Stale abide her de-
cision and to follow her fortunes whatever destiny
may await her.
/ l remain gentlemen, respectfully.
Your obedisn servant.
C. NJ. CONRAD.
10 Messrs G. W. Allen, A. d. Kelly Il. " Wright Henry
Lousdale, C. j. Meeker and j. Lallande.
/ Hotel Arrivals Yesterday.
ST. CHARLES HoTEL.-Y W Warfield, 7 A Hill.
/ ID w Gillett and wife, w Knox and wife, Thos B