The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-16
Progress of the Great Revolus ion-Nenac-
ing state OF Thing.

and empires, ancient and modern, we canaoi
find precedent for this stupendons and com
prehensive work of revolution AMI recongtruc
ton which now devolves upon the people
these United States. We have nothing in tn
records of the Old World resemblln. the re
mote, accommodating ana immediate Causes whci
are pre- iritating this revolution upon us; no
is there anything in the past to guild rs in the
work of peaceable reconstruction. cxceptn ne
the example Of the form ,tion Of our existing
federal constitution. All history. however
teaches us that when great revolutionary idea
is once under a strong practical heaiway, it
must run its course.
This, then, is our present position, North anil
South. We are under the pressure Of great
revolution, which must run its course. But WE
may still direct it to the ends Of peace, or t.
reunion and harmony, or push it to the dread
excuses of incurable divisions AMI perpe,ual
war. Peacefully or otherwise, the day for a
definite understanding upon this slavery ques-
ton has come, and it cannot any longer be post
poned. Our most reliable advces from Washing
ton assure us that all hopes still entertained
the South within the Union are fallacious; that
South Carolina, within the next ten days, will
surely declare herself absolved from any fur
Their allegiance to or connection wih our fede-
raj government; that four other or five ''cotton
States" before the expiration of the month OF
January, will have followed her example; and
that, probably, the Hrst month of Mr. Lincoln's
administration will mark the union of the south
in Southern coniederacy.
The controlling impression in favor of this
movement H. that the unbroken co operation of
the Southern States in it will prevent all
thought of violence. And what them A per-
manent, independent Southern confederacy?
This would be the most natural inference; but
sagacious and hopeful men inform us that then.
and only then. will the work Of reconstruction
begin. In this work OF reconstruction how
ever. We are told that the South never will con-
sent TO n reunion with the New England States.
They are to be left where they desire to be
released from all copartnership responsibilities
i'm reference to the institution of slavery-in
the full enjoyment of Lloyd Garrisons ulti-
matum-"No union with Shareholders" With
the six New England State, thus cut of, the
South, in their new Union, will hold balance
OF power in the Senate, which, under an expla-
natory amendment or so to the federal consti-
tuition rs it stands, will give them all the secu-
rites required for the future protection OF
southern slavery.
When theories Of reorganization such as this
are seriously entertained among the most con-
scrvatiye minds in Congress, orr rea iers Will
comprehend the emergencies Of the day. We
do not recognise the probability Of this indi
Gated plan of reconstruction. We incline, ra-
Their, to the opinion that once out of this Union
In confcdcracy TO themselves, the Southern
states cannot be reclaimed. If The Union thea
i 10 be- restored and reconstructed The Ia X in
yolvcd must he undertaken at once, AMI with
q tull recognition, on all sides, Of the new con-
ccssons required to render this undertaking
successful BH what ground Of hope il ,hern
for any such ihinss Mr.. Lincoln, the Presiden.
elect. continues incredulous of danger. Ills
party leaders in Congress are defiant; his par
ty organs with here and there an exception
proclaim The penalties of treason against South
ern disunonists, and are incenscd that Mr.
Buchanan hesitatcs TO crush them with the
strong arm Of federal authority
In all this there il nothing like Cancellation.
The republican party will not Be bullicd. Oh.
no. Rather than abandon their untenable po-
si,ions on the slavery question they will perish
where they stand. What il the Union CON-
pared with their principles Mr.. Senator Hale
says, substantially, that If the South try seccs-
sion against the triumph and enforcement of
these principles there will be war, and. he says,
let il BE- war! Thus the condition Of things
upon us is revolutionary and fearfully mcnac-
ing What are we Of the North 70 do. What
are the foreshadowed consequences to this city
from o southern coniederacy. some say we can
dr,ach the city from the STATE, and declare II a
free city and free port. Bu, this idea Is alb
surd, for the state authority covers the city.
and II IS a sovereign authority. The city must
stand or fall with the state.
The best that the people Of the North. in
GLIDING our fellow citizens Of New York. city and
state, can do, i to prepare for the worst. The
chances are all against the Union that when Mr..
Lincoln comes into power h. will Hnd several
States cut of from the Union nv State action:
that he will attempt coercion; tina, he will thus
drive the res, Of the Southern States on, Of the
Union, and that, perhaps, he may then pursue
his policy Of coercion into . widespread civil
war. We know that the calsmities OF dlsunion,
even short OF civil war, will bring general dis
trees upon all the country. Let Us pre-
pare for it-for broken banks and
railway companies, bankrupt merchants,