New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-06
FROM W1SIfINGTON.
THE GREAT CONFLICT.


50 and am glad of it," Ny children are daugh-
ters, and had rather see this question settled
in my day than be deferred to theirs.
The complications of the time are unquestion-
ably serious and such as will determine the ex-
istence or the absence of the capacity for rule
IN the Republican party The ''rod of empire "
is to pass into Republican hands at critical
period, and we shall see how well able they are
to use it. The times are emnentfy suited to
mike and to collapse regulations. The effort is
TO be made to pull down great Government,
and we nre to see with what success. Two di'
verse civilizations, hostile since the adoption of
the Constitution, and kept apart by the buffers
of Compromise for forty years, now stand face
10 face, and are on the eve of final struggle.
One or the other is to recese In this juncture
everything depends, for the moment, on the tenn
per and ability of the leaders of the contending
forces. In such an emergency, administrative
talent of the highest order is demanded. Not
only force of intellect, but force of will, is re-
ouired. We shall see if the Republicans have
got it, or of least whether it is to be called into
reeuistiOn.
cerned, of course the Republicans have nothing
to do with il for three months to come. Affairs
are entirely in Democratic hands for that period,
and it ia for them to treat our public disorders
Experienced men are at the helm. Let us see
how much light they will be able TO throw on
the path of their Republican successors, in their
treatment of so much of the crisis may be
developed during the short remainder of their
term of service If they go right, we shall all
know it. If they go wrong, We shall still have
their example to profit by.
As / have said, it is nothing less than ques-
ton of breaking up the Government that is be-
fore the country. No more mOmentous issue can
arise in the life of nation. The purpose to do
this is manifest. The effort will be made. The
task viii be undertaken. The all-absorbing ques-
ton is, with what force will it be attempted,
and what is the prospect of its success
1t would be a vast public relief if anybody
could give a satisfactory answer to these ques-
tons. But this cannot be done. Their solution
is dependent on so many contingencies, OF event,
of accident, and, worst of oil, of human passion,
that it bids defiance to positive calculation. We
have a right, however to hold fast to the gen.
eral conclusion that as this Government has
been successfully administered in the past upon
the basis of the majority rule, under certain Con-
stitutiOnal notifications, it can be administered
in the future on the same basis. II govern
ment on this foundation proves to be failure,
it will be gigantic surprise to the friends Of
popular rule, and terrible commentary on the
\ r duE
Of making q steady aud determined effort to pre-
serve it as it exists, would seem to admit of no
question If such is not the duty of the admin
istrators Of affairs, then indeed is Government
farce.
As to the success Of the effort we can ct least
see that much depends on the methods adopted.
We ore living in the nineteenth century, and we
must act accordingly We are to recognize the
rights of men and of political communities, and
are not TO be governed by crude ideas of brute
force. But We must respect constitutions, obey
law, and recognize the rights OF the greatest
number, or political society itself will fall into
dissolution. If the few must not be sacrificed to
the many, it is even more true that the many
must not be sacrificed to the few. We must
Whether ours can bear the strain that is about
TO be put upon i time must determine. The
force Of great Government based on popular
rule consulting Onls the greatest good OF the
greatest number, both theoretically and practi-
cally, must be prOdigiOus when honestly exerted
for self.preseryaton. If we cannot cOnfide IN
in that power, there is nothing human We can
| confde in. And as tho whole is strong, so must
rebellious parts be correspondiDgy weak. So
much, at least, Is fairly deducible from our pres
| ent circumstances.
| I enter into no consideration of the causes or
| qualifying incidents OF our existing embarrass-
| ments. These have nothing to do with the ques-
ton of how the issue is TO be met By the acting
| Government OF the weakness that the institution
of Slavery imparts to that portion Of Che country
where dissatisfaction prevails, it is needless to
| dilate All see it and know it, and none so well
as those who have it in their bosom. The great
| fact exists that the Government IL to pass into
hands who have no weight TO carry on this
| score. The rcyolutionsts have this clog all TO
themselves. 1t is one that deeply emphasizes the
general conclusions already expressed.
II j. q consoling circumstance that the people
themselves ore to settle ih9 great qaestioo II
issue of the preservation Cd thia Government. Il
il no question Of party o. Of partisansbip. Mei
have got to take sides For or against tho Govern
ment, not fsr or against party or ita principle
ornotions. And this theS have to do deliberately
They rced not 30 hurriid People eSeryNsS .el
have 70 rake up their finds .osolutely v'aoth,