Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-12-15
TIE Cnminr,Erei.inn
We take the following extract from letter of
the special correspondent of the New York Tribune:
WASHINGTON December 8, 1860

We take the following extract from letter Of
the special correspondent of the New York Tribune:
WASHINGTON, December 8, 1860
While the Government has to be resolutely main
tained it seems to be plain that are to
suffer a curtaIlment of territory under the
operation of thel slavery question. This is a
view / have several previous occasions,
within the last few years, submitted to the
readers of the Tribune in considering the future
of the black race among Events are rapidly
precipitating the result long ago foreshsdowed,
and converting speculation into established fact.
We seem about TO surrender the Gulf States to the
black race, and the WI ties who as yet rule that
race. No one has supposed that this result was to
come thus suddenly but it is idle to shut eyes
to the fact that it appears to be upon the eve
of Accomplishment l do not view the circumstances
with that repCgnance hostility that many enter
tain who have not reflected upon it as one of the Ill
innate inevitable necessities of our condition. The
methods and limits of this great change hidden
in the future. 1t is the plain duty of the Central
Government to maintain its equilibrium with nhex-
ible determination, and keep the control Of events
in its own hands. permitting what it Is wise to
permit, and forbdding what it shall deem
wise to forbid. There very serious boundary
questions connected with the Mississippi River,
and with the territory beyond, including that of
Louisiana and Texas. as well as the vast uninhab.
tied wids the outskirts of those States. Permit
ting few uneasy slaveholdng StStes to secede from
the Union is quite different thing from voluntarily
alternating portions of the country requisite for its
future development under its changed relations
This Government is not to place itself on level with
the broken fragments that may be voluntarily dis
carded from its embrace. The excelsior must be fol-
lowed by untold embarrassments to the severed por-
TONS and as Mr.. Stephens of Georgia seems to an
ticipate probably by general anarchy therein. But
amid the discord of those fragments the Federal
Government will be able to stand tranquil and firm
Because others throw themselves into chaos it does
not follow that the regular Government viii do so
likewise For after all, the Federal authority will
be the only power to deal authoritatiYely with the
questions that will arise out of existing compca-
tons. And when the adversary element now ex-
listing and moving Is withdrawn from the councils of
the Federal authority, that authority viii be homo
geneOus and united. its policy harmonious and its
action vigorous. And il will be power of such for
mdable magnitude that its word will be law, as
against all competing authority of a and inhar
monious federation, destitute of every element of
aggressive strength 1t will fix its boundaries
and stand by them.
Such is a brief, as perhaps it will be deemed
bold, generalization of future probabilities. 1t
looks to peaceable.ssue of our implications to be
followed by no serious disturbance of the sources
of our material prosperity. While it may appear
to be subject of modification before the world
that this great and boastful people soon to
sunder their political relations. it will yet be great
tribute 20 the elastic character of our Institutions if
shall be able to adjust so great question with
out resort to arms. 1t will be a new experience,
and high testimony to the benign working of pop
ular institutions As to the malign consequences
which the corroding of our difficulties,
Slavery. may hereafter work upon the seeding
States the great American Republic can in no wise
be held responsible, nor do we think it admits of
doubt It is the destiny of American Slavery to
AfrcanZe the Gulf States it is TO discover them
from the great body of the Republic. And whether
that be done two generations sooner or later
is not a matter of great consequence in the long
run To have the initiation of this great result sud
denly sprung upon the country is great shock. and
tends to fill most minds with gloomy forebodings.
But true philosophy will discard them, and accept
the inevitable logic of events without dismay. If
the representatives of the people and the Executive
act with wise forecast with firm
ness yet without pasion they will carry the country
and all its moral, political and material interests
safely over the chasm that so many now think
threatens to engulf them all.
We see no cause for any physical conflict in the
read ustment of political relations here intimat
ed except in the exercise of unbridled passions Of
men. And these sooner or later, always give way |
to their interests and fears If we are to have any
separation at ALL tits for the interest of all have
it peaceful separation, and it will be national
disgrace. if. in its incipient stages it takes any
other form. In the establishment of relations
and in settling boundaries, what may afterwards |
arise Is not easy to foresee. But may safely
conclude that the States will provoke no urnecessa-
ny conflict. since their own salvation will depend
upon submitting to the eXigencies they will voun-
tarily If they should be disappointed in the
expectation of expanded empire, they will not re- /
NEEDY their embarrassment by entering upon a con-
cst that could have no doubtful issue.