The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-21
Highly Important from the soutxa-seces'
sion OF south Caroline.

that the Convention OF South Carolina, now IN
session at Charleston, has decided by.a unani-
nous vote that that State should seccde from
the Union. On the receipt of this important
news in Washington. Notwithstanding the fact
Of it having been confidently anticipated by
all the Southern, and by many Northern mem
beers, it produced profound sensation. In al
luding to the passage of the Pacific Railroad
bill N the House, Mr.. Garnett, of Virginia,
spoke OF the utter inefficacv of any such enact
ment as national measure, intimating that the
whole South would unite with South Carolina
in seeding from the Union.
In full view of the great fact here announced,
and which has been staring US in the face ever
since the election of Lincoln, we do not find
that any practical measure has been introduced
in Congress or has been initiated in any part
of the country, for the settlement OF the most
vital question by which it has ever been agi-
tated, and which is just beginning to produce
It's effects upon Europe. Instead Of agreeing
upon some plan Of Cancellation, some measure
by which the country might be restored to its
former tranquility and prosperity, we see MEM
bers OF Congress and republican journals using
tie most violent language towards the South
ern States, threatening coercion as the most
effective means of retaining them within the
Union, and Of preventing the terrible calamity
impending over the nation.
We have had occasion already to advert to the
violent and dangerous speeches OF Hale and
Iverson, Wigfall and Wade in the United States
IN Mr. Of
our readers have seen from the report in yester-
days HERALD. enters the arena, and mingles in
the troubled scene. not as a peacemaker, but as
political incendiary, feeding the already ra-
ging flames with the most inhammable materials
His denuncation and defiance of the people Of
South Carolina, like the ill-judged and rash
harangue Of the Senator from Ohio, have
stirred up to the boiling point passions already
too heated have driven the Convention now
sitting at Charleston into precipitate action
have put all the other seeding States upon
their mettle, and would seem to have rendered
the settlement Of the family quarrel of
this great Union impossible by any other
means than the arbitrament Of the sword, and
an appeal to the God Of battles. We are ac-
customed to scenes Of violence in the popular
branch Of Congress, but something better
might have been expected at such time as
this from ''the grave and reverend seignors" Of
the conservative Senate. Vituperation of the
can never restore peace and harmony. On the
contrary, il will rouse into activity the SYM
pathy of thousands who have not yet identified
themselves with the secession movement. The
effect OF the menaccs Of Johnson on the Senator
from Oregon is but a sample OF
their effect upon millions both North
and South. And what practical difference does
il make whether the act of South Carolina is
treason or justifiable legal secession! Take
it ut the worst, il is revolution such as Massa-
chusetts, Virginia and North Carolina inaugu-
rated and the thirteen colonies adopted, against
the mother country. To stop it by peaceable
means is the proper business Of statesmen.
Coercion is out of the question, and every re-
source ought to be exhausted before such a
word is named.
Those who advocate an internccine, fratrici-
dal war are far more deserving of the epithet
of ORATORS" than those to whom they apply
il. The citizens Of the Palmetto State are
not enemies, hut brothers Of our own house.
hold; and whatever may be their errors,
they are not half so bad as the Northern
States whose aMi-slavery propagandsm
and whose nggrcssions have provoked
their Southern confederates into an attitude OF
self-dcfence and retaliation. Why not make
war against Massachusetts, and other States at
the North who have raised the standard of re-
bellion against the federal authority in nullify-
ing the constitution and laws ofCongrcsss Has
not Governor nenison Of Ohio, refused to de-
liver up fugitive from justice, charged with
enticing slaves from Kentucky, upon the requisi-
ton of the Governor of that State. If it il
necessary TO strike terror by making examples,
why not begin with the aggrcssors at the North,
and see what effect that may have upon South
Cardinal Congress may have the legal and
constitutional right to commence u civlwar in
| the case Of that little State; but no wise OF
| good men would advise Congress TO exercise it.
| Even IT the other Southern States would not
make common cause with her from the moment
the sword was drawn, and if the whole country,
from Maine to Texas, should not be involved
in the mad, sanguinary struggle, still il
would be the duty of fraternal States
and Of fraternal government to conciliate
and do justice to South Carolina, even If she
should stand alone. This government can
never exist by force. Its basis. its structure
and whole theory entirely preclude such an
idea; and to keep unwilling States in the Union
IL will become necessary to subvert the princi
pies Of the Declaration Of Independence, and
change the Union into military dcspotism
resting for lite support, not on public opinion
but on bayonets. The people Of the North will
never give their consent to the raising of q
standing army which, il successful in subjugat
! ing the Southern States, would very soon BE-
tuned against their own liberties.
II is not then by coercion or armed invasion