New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-04
COUNSEL TO FlRE-EATERs.

We ike the Fire Eaters. OF course, we speak
of the genuine article. There are all manner of
bogus, brassy limitations &fioat of which We say
nothing; but the genuine STAKEHOLDER, who was
born to and really believes in slaveholding, com
mands our hearty respect His spoken logic
often halts, and his theology is rather funny;
but when he SAYS, "Th0se are my niggers; this
Z" is INV bowc.knile: if you dispute my title to
- those, | will give You taste of this" We
feel and admit that his practical logic has
rough energy and palpable cOgency that are by
no means despicable. An average Doughiace--
especially one who is externally protesting that he
is % as much opposed TO Slavery as anybody Is,
of course, contemptble; but the Firc-Eater
should not suffer from bis inevitable association
with such. He is earnest genuine person.
age, and as such to be regarded by all who say
what they think and act as they talk.
Yet we cannot help thinking that The Fire
Eaters are making serious and perilous mis-
take about these days; and it. is on this point
that we would give them word of caution.
We do not, of course, allude 10 their devotion to
Slavery nor their resolve to bolt from the Union;
for on these points differ from them 10
widely and radically that we cannot expect them
TO heed what we might have to offer with regard
to either. But there is single phase Of their
present movement with regard to which we trust
they will listen to friendly remonstrance.
That phase is the addiction of their orators
and writers TO the quotation and use in behalf
of Slavery Of the phrases wherein others have
expressed their devotion to Liberty. millions
" for deiense-nUt cent for tribute ~" Give
me Liberty or give me death"
"A day an hour Of vir,uous liberty
is worth a whole eternity OF bondage"
aternated with the singing, playing, shouting
roaring, of that fearfuly Jacobinic, SOcialistic
Red Republican war-song "The Marselaise,'
and all occasional believing out of that Ito
whites threadhare yet pungent distich,
E" Hereditary boudsmen, know ye not
Who would be free, themselves strike the blow'"
who, that is not mad with passion, can fail to
realize the effect which q perpetual iteration of
such passages must have on a servile caste in
communities where they number fully half the
entire population
The negro we will agree is an inferior being;
still he has dangerous qualities. He is secretive
observant, and especially initiative. He likes TO
array himself in Massas cast-of finery, and TO
flourish Massas whip. How must he be affected
by the daily and emphatic enunciation by white
men of such phrases as We have quoted (and
their name is Lcgion), especially when he hears
that the Cotton States are about to secede from
and fight the Union because a President has been
elected who wants them all set free
The danger we indicate is not ideal. Hayt
attempt Of her planters TO resist and oyerrula an
edict of the home Government in favor of Uni
versal Freedom that provoked the outbreak that
deuged that fair isle in blood. South Carolina
to-day presents many parallels to the condition of
st. Domingo seventy years ago; aud her whites
should take the lesson to heart.
Let gas, so far as possible, be dispensed with
in this crisis. Let orators of the soaring genus
dry up" Let us all use words that express
precisely what we mean, and not pirate of Liberty
when we mean Slavery. POwder-houses very
well, but net just the places you would choose
TO illuminate in honor Of a party victory, from
a tOrchligbt procession. Let, then, all Buncombc
illusions to the goddess of Liberty be postponed
to next Fourth Of July, and let us proceed with
the business Of the day in busincsslike tone and
manner. There is time for oil things, and this
is clearly not the time for spouting Patrick
Henry in the very ears Of thousands of excited
curious eager, hopeful slaves.