The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-24

men IL Will be his duty 70 cohsiueI tne ciieum-
stances of the case, and to weigh, in the mer
ciful side Of the scale, the injuries and provo
cations which have wrought up the Southern
masses into their present state Of frenzy
Goaded to insanity by the perseyering ag-
grcssions Of over quarter OF a century, which
have eliminated in the election OF chief ma
! gistraie of the confederation upon the avowed
hostile sectional principle of an irreprcssible
conflict between opposing and enduring forces
through which the United States must become
entirely slaveholding nation or entirely a
free labor nation the insane efervescences
! Of feeling which are beheld in the slave States
! should be regarded with paternal and aftee-
| tionate concern, and not with the stern and ST.
| we're front of memorable justice. The skill OF
| the physician and the kindness of tho nurse'arc
! the appliances through which the South must
be redeemed from its present eNtrayugances
| The administration is acting faithfully to it.
| duty, faithfully to the law in accordance with
the soundcst principles Of policy and the wishes
of the vast majority Of conservative minds in
the country. in holding in adherence the harsh
and outrageous recommendations of the organs
of republican opinion in the North.
Ten weeks viii bring u to the time when
Mr. Buchanan will resign his incumbency Of
the Presidential chair 10 hs successor In the
meanwhile. all that can be accomplished by
peaceful, persuasive and constitutional means
will be done 10 rescue the country from i'm
pending evil. and pilot the ship of State
from the midst of the breakers that
surround il. After that period the re-
sponsiblity of the future will p,ss into
the hands of Mr.. Lincoln. 1t is TO be hoped
tina, he, too, will comprehend the Specification
of the portentous events which are hurrying
the nation with headlong speed towards
prccipicc, and employ the influence which
timely concession may have in staying the pro-
gress Of destruction. We have frequently had
| occasion to show Of late that the position he
occupies is more enyiably free from ties and
| embarrassments than that Of any President who
has ever preceded him. The sentiment of
thrcc-fourihs Of the people is conservative, and
but small minority at the North are in favor
of those violent measures for checking excite
ment and disorder at the South which most of
the republican organs demand. 1T will be a
day of sorrow and misery for America if he
should &c guided by the counsels Of these
! latter. Civil war, marshalled by fire, famine
| and slaughter, will thereafter take possession
of the land; property will lose its value; COM
mcrcc and trade be cnt off, and agriculture
abandoned; "thc rye fields and wheat fields Of
Massachusetts and New York" and 1.-THE cotton
and rice fields Of South Carolina, and the sugar
| plantations Of Louisiana will be trampled
| under foot by armed men. and the future Of the
] Union, which We have been accustomed to con-
template so proudly, be dimmed by terrible
vista of anarchy and blood. We cannot believe
| that Mr.. Lincoln will be willing TO naugurate
| a period Of disaster before which the magma
! ton quails in dismay. The policy which true
] wisdom would point out 10 him j. unmistake-
| ably clear. lie has but TO plant himself upon
| the rock which afforded sure and safe foot
hold for his illustrous predecessors of the early
| days of the republic; 10 soar above party weak
nesses, and emulate the greatness of statesmen
| like Washington, jefferson and Madison, in
| times of difficulty for the republic; with firm
| hand To guide the country back to its pristine
North such amendments to the constitution as
shall define and maintain forever hereafter
the rights Of each; to repudiatc every tendency
opposed TO Cancellation. forbearancc and the
largest amount Of liberation of their respective
social institutions by different sections of the
country; and he will carve out for himself a
! name which shall stand among the highest ia
the history Of great and patriotic bsnciact tors
| OF the human race.
A VOICE FROM SEWARD Al LASr-THE REyo-
LuTIoNARY BANQUET AT THE AsToR HoUsE.--At
| last the sage Of Auburn has opened his mouth.
| and given uttcrance TO his views on the great
| question which now distracts the country and
threatens the destruction of the confeaeracy.
Unexpectedly he made his appearance ut the
New England dinner at the Astor House, about
midnight on Saturday night, and there he made
a speech, in which he laid down his views Of
| public affairs. lie treated the secession move
| mcnt In q variety Of moods, now humorously,