The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-11-23
The DtsvuioN Qasstaon-A Conservative
Reaction in the Soush.

Reaction in ahs Soush.
We publish this soorning a significant letter
| from Governor L@tcher, of Virginia, on the
| subject If the present disunion excitement In
| the south, Southern constitutional rights
Northern State acts OF qualification abu tbs po-
siiop OF Virginia In this crisis This letter will
20 far 10 rsassnne our conservative men OF the
North OF The existepcs of q cooperative eie.
ment IN ,be South competent to prevent any
pfecipiste revolutionary act az Southern disco
luton. II further evidence be- wanted upon
THE point. IL may be- bad in The letter of the
Governor of Kentucky, ana IN the late Union,
conservative speech OF Hon A II. Stephens
of Georgia to the people Of that State, which
VIZ laid before our r-aners yesterday.
Each Of these three men. we doubt not re-
presents In behalf Of the Union, the sentiment,
of an overwhelming majority of the people OF
his Stsie. Of all the late Presidential parties
We expect. too, that these opening Southern
manifestations In behalf Of the Union will
soou be followed up ny popular assem-
olaVee speeches and resolutions. aud by leeis
iative and State Convention proceedings, from
Maryland 10 Louisiana ana Texas, in support
not OF tba desperate alternative of South Caro-
ina. which II Southern republic ~ All haz ,rds
but In behalf of a genera convention of the
Southern Safes or OF all the States. 70 consider
good will between the North and the South
within the Union.
TIE only danger of diunion immediately
before us IL in South Carolina Her State Con
vention, however, which 1t Ia generally he.
iievsd Will declare the State an independent
establishment. outside of the Union-does not
meet for several weeks yet to come. In toe
interval the movements Of the conservative
body Of the people Of the surrounding slave
States may induce even South Csroi,ns 70
pause. reflect, and finally acqu,ssce in the policy
OF Virginia. which is q convention OF all the
States to resrranRe on the slavery question the
fundamental landmarks and cDecks and bs
lsnces OF the federal constitution
|. We are strengthened 10 this impression from
the recent Developments If the views aud
purposes OF the administration Mt Washington.
and Ia consideration OF the tact that Congress
VIII rest-+uD'e on TOE urSt MONDAY IN DeCSu-
Der Thus the delegates OF the South Carolus
secsssiop Convention will, before they meet.
have tine Ia consider the conservative recon
men6a'ions Of the Presidents annual message
and. we hope, OF some corresponding expires
sious from both houses OF Congress. We do
not. therefore, altogether despair Of saving
even South Carolina from the act OF secession
But. granting ,ha, sbe will resolve herself out
OF the Union. we do not despair Of bringing
her back again before any revolutionary COL
li-ion shall have occurred between the State
and federal authorities.
To this end, would II not be we'll for the con
servstive Union men OF the city OF New York
70 initiate. in grand popular Union demon
s'ratiop. Northern movement Of consultation
concession and harmony? Coercion. 10 any
event, i out OF the question- A Union beld
together by the bsyonet would he nothing BET.
ter than a military dssposism. Cancellation
and harmony, through mutual concessions, in .
reconstruction OF the fundamental Law. be-
tween the North and South, will restore AND
perpstua's the Unien contemplated ~ the
fathers. 50. now that the conservative men os
the South are moving let the Union men OF the
North second their endeavors, and le, New
York, a. In the matter OF the compromises OF
1850, lead the way.