Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-12-18
S.oo,f,t,on-So. Legislation.

lie TROUBLES III t'S'ai -"
involving the continuance Of the Union
and the peace OF the country, belong not
to the province Of legislation and are not to be
aleyiated by any emolients that Congress and
its committees can c%ontrivc.
a vicious public sentiment has poisoned
Congress as we'll rs Northern society, and no
remedy which does not reach tue great produ-
cinc cause, can be expected to furnish any re-
lief whatever. We have never expected Con-
gress or its Crisis Committee 20 restore peace.
The most that Congress can do is the passage
OF onion resolutions, what Carlyle would call
'beautilullest s~heet-lightning," but no shun-
der.bo!t to rive and split the upas tree OF fanat-
iciSm.
Negotiation, and not legislation, alone can
restore peace; the States, US parties to the
Constitution, must be brought into direct ne
sotiation, with the ulsimatum Of separation
distinctly and Enthusiastically rendered by South
Carolina, ms oil earnest Of what will certainly
result from 4 failure Of pacific negotiation.
The effort TO refer the matter to Federal Legls-
la,ion, is a cunningly devised resort to pre-
serve tho form OF the Government, which all
men see has already, to all intents and pur-
poses, gone to pieces; it is an effort to preserve
an organized power, to attempt coercion in the
name Of the Federal Government, but really
on behalf Of the Northern States it is an at
tempt to involve all men ~ the North
in the conaic; that must soon convulSe the
country, aud to array the Northern conServa-
tives against the Southern States, by holding
W the form Of the Federal Government, as the
obiec, to which each citizen owes allegiance, ina
conflict with a revolving State. Hence, all coer-
~tioDists are looking to Congress for relief,
hoping to maintain q power which shall COIL
binc all the Northern States against any
seeding State. In this they will find them
selves disappointed. Individuals throughout
the North have for several weeks been
in decided opposition 10 any attempt at coer-
cion; they have, in many cases, rendered their
aid and services 10 South Carolina in ~anticipa-
ton Of any attempt Mt subjugation. The North
is divided, and will become the scene Of civil
war should their mad folly induce them to
attempt an assault upon any State.
Legislation might as We'll, then, abandon all
efforts at the restoration Of peace. The cause
Of quarrel is beyond its province and cannot
DC reached by any Of its remedies. The most
that Congress can do is TO provide quickly for
bringing the States into direct communication
with each Other. Congress should second the
efforts OF the President 10 preserve the peace,
by Immediately taking such steps as may be
necessary to hand over to the authorities Of the
seeding States the forts, &C., that may be
situated within their limits. There is hope as
long rs the peace is preserved. And had the
President precipitatcd a collision by attempting
to strengthen Fort Moultrie, lac would have
been held directly responsible before man and
God for involving his country in the horrors Of
civil war. He has acted wisely and prudently,
sud if peace cannot be preserved except by
abandoning the forts at Charleston, the presi-
dent had far better issue orders to the COM
handing officer to deliver up the forts rather
than have them taken by assault and the coun-
try involved in civil war.
This matter comes home TO Virginia, in the
disposition OF Fortress Monroe. Shall the for
tress remain in :hc hands Of our enemies p
a depot for troops, arms and munitions
Of war for the %subjugation Of the people Of
Virginia. These are questions which to the
people Of Virginia arc becoming more and more
important as the 4!h Of March approaches
and which We fear must be- determined by a
bloody conflict, unless the present administra-
ton shall preserve the peace by depriring the
Federal Government Of all power 10 attempt
coercion. Should Mr.. Buchanan deliver over
to the States all the forts, &C., situated within
them, thus iepriving the Black Republicans Of
all means of provoking Il conflict-tho States
will, by negotiation among themselves, adjust all
differences, and final reunion may result from the
negotiation. But to deliver over 10 Lincoln the
defenccs Of the States is to offer to him oppor-
tuni,ics Of aggression, and to aid in producing
civil war. 1t is the duty Of every patriot to en-
barrass the new administration at every point;
to deprive those who have produced the present
state OF affairs. Of all means to further involve
the country in civil war. The inauguration
should be prevented by Maryland, and, if ne
cessary Virginia should aid her. All financial aid
should be withheld; the army and navy should
be go distributed according 10 the birth place and
predictions Of officers, that the Federal Gov
eminent, cmaSculatcd and shorn Of power, may
Ia rn,Il,. -, ip-olva thu coI,Dfry in riri1 wnr
The financial depression will be u sufficient in
ccntire 10 the States to quietly harmonic and
adjust matters; and, in restoring peace, the
power Of The Federal Government would DO
restored.
Negotiation should be commenced irnmedi-
ztely, aad by the Northern States. They
should invite conference aud provide for all the
States uniting in consultation. If the North.
crn people really desire the preservation of the
Union, let them move in this matter of neso-
~tiation; let them say to Mr.. Lincoln, remain
away from Washington city; you Shall not pre-
cipi,ate civil war, by presenting yourself to IN
outraged people; remain At home until the
States have restored peace by calm ncgotia
ticn. And, if Mr.. Lincoln should then attempt
to DO inauguIatcd, lie, the consequences DC on
his t,cad and those of his friends who may
come 20 witness the scene.
The States can alone remedy the evils that
nov threaten the country with ruin. Nthey will
&C. promptly they may restore peace and union;
bu, avery day of delay. not only postpones
,.,,. l,, ten,;. m civil uor
4 'ESlGN OF TIE T!MEs.-The Boston Cou-
rier publishes the following extract from q let
Ter from u commercial house in Kentucky to o
.ncrchnnt In IinSinn II j. hut q straw Il SAYS