New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-12
THE VALUE OF THE UNION.

To tie Editor If The 4. y TTibUae.
SIR: Tie secession Of one Of the Slave
States from the Union whether right wrong, having
become certainty any further discussion Of their
right do 20 Ia useess; assuming however for the
sake Of argument, that they have 10 such right the
questions to be considered, are: The duty and expe
dency incumbent on tie Federal Government Of pre-
venting such recession by force. shall not stop TO
discuss the duty which has already been done to con-
siderable extent, presume ii will be allowed, on all
hands that, whatever may be the right Of the Free
States to compel any Of tie Slave States to remain in
the Union they ere under obligation 10 do 49, if they
are willing 10 part with the seeding States The only
question therefore, now TO be considered IL the policy
oil preventing or permitting such secession.
This question has not been discussed for has been
taken for granted by a parties that the Union Is IN
Itself bessng that its dissolution would be n en0r
nous evil; that ii must be preserved at all hazards
but although this is the general doctrine OF the leading
oliians and papers in all except the seeding States
il is believed that there Thousands in the Free
States who silently dissent from this doctrine and who
are brought by ent events to doubt the value Of
the Union TIE question viii soon be forced upon u.s.
and the remarks now offered only an entering
wedgeony to give expression to the suppressed SEN
timent of Thousands.
Tie question in It's simplest FORM il: What is the
value to the Flee States Of their federal connection
with the Slave States
/. Does the union If all the States give greater
Iortance abroad, an would be possessed by any por-
lion separated In the early period OF our Govern
nert " rem the States few and weak, this iyht
have Teen true but now the South directly the re-
yerse. CoIsidei tie magnitude Of the uneasy slave
lopulation tie South, the Necessity OF protecting
he country from an internal as well a. an external
enemy our connection with the Slave States Il an ele-
n.tnt Of weakLtss, and not Of strength. The Free
Statee, separated, would be more powerful without the
lun6n Ct them.
=. Dee our union with tie Slave States increase
credit and respeCtabiy among the people OF foreign
rsfitus? Ii il the inyariiJe testimony Of all trg-
elem abroad that country is perpetuaiy reproached
with maintenance Of Slavery IL Is the triumphant
excuse Of desIotsm, and the encouragement OF the
odyGcties Of popular freedom The Free States, while
IN tic Union carr OF Ilead exemption from response
biliiy il, il is well known that as great sup
port OF Slavery is effected by party ties at the North
NJ by slaN eholCiLg interests at the South Delivered
from correction viii S1Ney our remaining free con-
federation woud stand the most glorious and admired
IN the world.
3 Does the Union insure TO our citizens greater har-
mony, order, and good government? IL Is scarcely
necessary 10 answer tLis question; for the most
tou htoes mind perceive that the irrepressible
conflict which has disturbed our quiet encroached on
or rights interests, ANA OUTRAGED our humanity,
las entirely proceeded from cur Sitcal connection
with slayebOdiug communities, and would cease with
our separation from them.
4. Does the Union insure peace between the North
ern and Southern sections Of the country Should
there he attempt the Part Of the Federal Gov
to tie Union, undoubtedly there would be war; but
should any State be permitted to seoedo by agreement
ard mutual consent there would be danger of war;
tho Free States would have interest disposition
to make war TIE Slave States, and the Slave States
in view q their slave population, would not venture
to oonuonoe it. There is far more danger of civil
war between the two sections, under nominal union
thnn ceelized between tie two independent Re
prbLCs.
5. Docs the Union sustain commerce between the
two sections, and increase tho wealih OF the Free
Sltcs Every tyro in political economy knows That
Il changes government IL tations, or cher ieil
Relation 10 each er, do nOt materially affect their
mutual conn cree unless restrained By rigorous penal
luv, and dat even iete have not always the power
10 ,urfess such coMmerce. While the manufactures
Of tie Nmtb aoid 70 market Tor the cotton OF the
south no reslri,tilns " the Governments Of either
section Oh this could be entcfced to prevent
IL; even IL elder party WIS unWIse IA 30 make
hem aud such would b borne by the people OF
either Republic Tho loss Of revenue also, collected
notify III The North, and expended mostly for the
hereht of The SOUTH would be avoided, and this
would more than conn for any pot-ible dimuu
tioL If tfuGe oven ii die " be considered Ia OPP
Io,iion TO political free don.
Tie oct serious question IL the effect of the Uni
on tic intelligence, humanity, ard morality Of the
Nolti We l,yL from tie lAc. il IL Testimony If all
AL /. rsed tuNtlos, -ld ir,.outs a. that 10 lion
der citation 81 instruction followed hy general iq
olLu,c, loycty, nod icf N strong contrast with mo
5slgs Of tic uleg N.aA, staleuenI colii. ued By