The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-11-13

was quiet and Gales light Freghh were dull and easier
for Liverpool wheH, In bulk and bags, was taken at
1854 al 5Sd and -four at Be- 9i . IS Ioxd.
The Southern Disunion Excftemc nt-The
Duty OF MIR. Buchansn sad Of MIR. Lin
colin.
While 1t Is difficult to believe that we are on
the verge Of disunion aud civil war, II is i'm
possible TO contemplate the present secession
agitation in our Southern States without appre
tensions Of very serious troubles, political and
financial, North and South. Hence, to every
Union loving man the paramount question is,
how can we allay this fearful Southern excite
ment and bring It within the reach of reflection
and reconciliation!
Let us first ascertain the point at which these
Southern secession movements will be brought
into collision with the federal authorities and
we shall comprehend the exact point of danger.
The Legislature Of South Carolina has passed
an act authorizing State Convention upon the
question OF Union or secession; but there Is
nothing in this proceeding calling for federal
intervention. The same Legislature has passed
an act authorizing the banks within the limits
of the State TO suspend specie payments; but
the Legislature Of any State may pass such an
act at any time for the protection of the financial
interests of her people. The Collector and
several other federal Off ,ers at Charleston
have thrown mp their commissions; but, Ia a
legal view Of the subject the resignation Of oil
the federal office holders south Of Mason and
Dixons line would simply be the vacation OF
their Offices and nothing more So with the
resignation by Mr. Chestnut, of South Carolina,
and Mr.. Toombs, Of Georgia, of their seats Ia
the federal Senate. As disunion movements
they signify nothing.
We may 60 farther. If, in advance of any
State action on the main Issue, and Of any State
authority on the subject, the people Of Charles
ton, for example, or portion of them, should
interrupt or put stop to the peaceable collec-
ton Of the federal revenues from the Custom
House dues at that port, or should forcibly pre-
vent the federal officers at Charleston engaged
In the Post ONCE, or In the transmission Of the
United States mails, from dischsrging their
official dutes, the offending parties would
hardly be accounted a. traitors, but a. q mob
Of disorderly persons to be arraigned and
punished As the parties concerned in q mob.
The federal constitution declares that treason
against the United States shall only consist In
levy ing war against them, or In adheriug TO
their enemies, giving them aid and comfort"
The State Convention, called In South Caro-
lima, may assemble, deliberate and formally re-
solve that South Carolina is no longer a MEM
Der Of this confederscy, but an Independent
republic; aud she may still be exempt from
federal Intervention. The mere declaration Of
secession, without any practical act to sustain
II, will practically amount TO nothing. But the
moment anything shall be attempted to super
sede any federal officer In his duties by any
State officer or officers, or by any Of the c!ti
zens Of South Carolina, acting under her au
thority as an independent republic, or az q mem
Der Of an independent Southern confedsracy.
that moment the federal government will be
called upon TO interfere; and to enforce sub.
mission to its authority, 1t may lawfully EN-.
ploy the whole army and navy Of the United
States.
The real point Of danger, then, to be feared
s not the act Of secession on the part OF South
Carolina, but come attempt to carry Il into
practical effect which may bring the authorities
and the people Of tina, State into warlke col
lision with the federal government, or with "the
United States" az the constitution expresses
II. But as the act OF secession might "precipi-
tate revelation" everything that can be done
should be done to prevent the people OF South
Carolina from leading of ~ this desperate and
ruinous experiment Of going out CT the Union
10 escape those Northern abolition aggreesions
which they fear within the Union. Blu, what
can be done to allsy this dreadful disunion ex.
citsment in q State whose political leaders for
more than q quarter Of century have been
working waiting and watching for this oppor.
tunity Of seccssion'
We think that much may be done TO bring
back the people Of said State to deliberaton
and reconciliation by the President in power
ard the President elect AT all events,
without standing upon his Official dignity,
or upon any nice conventionality, Mr..
Bashanaa should issue al appeal 10