New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-03
CONE TO The POINT:

thp present state of uncertainty and anarchy and
desire that il should be brought to on end at the
earliest moment. Hence the obvious dissatisfaction
with the present attitude Of the Federal Admins
tration-a discomfort which does not imply a belief
TINT the President and his Cabinet are taking,
doing on meditatins wrong step, but only that
they still consider when they should already have
decided. and pause when they ought to act. We
do not say that this is right or wise-we simply
chronicle an obvious fact. The country, with
scarcely show Of dissent, cries out-lf we are
to fight 80 be it; if we ere to have peace, so
much the better; if the Union can be preserved
or restored, good but if it cannot be, let us
understand the fact and acquiesce in it. AT oil
events, let this ntolerable suspense and uncer-
tainty cease
Sympathising fully with this view, we cannot
but regard with dislike the political maneuvers
dignifed as Vrgina propositions, Border-Statc
Conventions, and tie like They have two in
durable faults; They tend to protraCt the present
anarchy; and they will lead to nothing. They
will simply serve to keep the country convulsed
and in suspense for year or two; and then
they will leave us just where they found us, with
the struggle still before us long after it should
have been dead and buried. To Industry and
Business nothing could be more disastrous.
The issue is already made up, and cannot be
changed. The new Confederate Constitution and
the old Federal Constitution must be the rally
ng.points Of the cOntending hosts. There is no
true middle ground between them, and years oil
further agitation will fail to discover any. Every
authentic utterance from Montgomery scouts the
idea of reconstruction on any other basis tnan
that Of the JEFF Davis olgarchy. We, who rec
ognize and obey the Government at Washington
stand by the Constitution as it is, and the Gov
! eminent as our fathers made il. The only
! practical alternative is the Cotton Republic,
founded--as its Yice.President has 80 clearly set
forth-on radically adverse ideas, aud looking to
the perpetuation and diffusion Of Slavery aud
Caste as the only true, natural, enduring ba'is
of Civilization. Those who do not stand with ms
are at heart with the subjects of JEFF. DAVIS,
and will be there in profession and ncs in the
hour of trial.
What will you concede nothing to save
az or restore the Union ?" We are asked We
answer You must prove that some sort of poe
! sible concession ,ciH save the Union before you
/ have a right 10 put that question. Thus lar,
| there has been no shadow Of proof afforded
that the Secesslonists would be induced TO forego
their treason by any concession which oven you
I dare propose 10 us. Ion talk OF the Crittendcn
! Compromise which involves the distinct repu-
diation Of Republicanism-bu no SecessioniSt Of
/ the least consequence has offered 10 accept even
/ that a. a solution Of our National troubles. On
the contrary, the Nulifers demand an express
recognition of the right to carry slaves into every
| Territory; aud not only that, but into every
/ State also. They will be satisfied with nothing
/ less than the complete Naturalization Of Slavery;
and when We corcsde that, we virtually confess
that Abraham Lincoln ought 10 clear out from
Washington and let JEFF. Davis be installed in
! his stead.
IL the disaHecied States--egen the so-called
Border States-will clearly indicate their wiling
ness to be satisfied with the Constitutional
Amendment recently initiated by Cougress-that
which guards the Slave States, whether they be
/ many or few, against any interference with their
domestic institutions BY Congrcss-wo will zeal
2
| the acceptance of Republicans. If they prefer
| the calngo National Convention, with powers
/ limited only by the right of revision by the PEG.
! ole. we Will 20 in as heartily for that. But until
we have some assurance that one Of these meas
ures will be accepted as satisfactorily by at lco't
! the Border States, we canhOt urge is adoption.
/ 10 any reasonable concession, not inconsistent
with our principles, we viii assent provided it is
/ Ia be accepted as sufficient; but to any cOnccs
sion whatever--eIrn the most triSlal-tliat It to
be regarded bat as an entering. wedge 10 new de-
uaHds and exactiOns, We aro inlIeXibly adverse.
The sacred injunction against casting pearls
before swine clearly fOrblds it. .
We can see how the wrecks OF old parties
now fusiLg into common attitude Of sympathy
and tacit alliance with the Secessionists should
find present account in playing vaguely on that
harp OF thousand strings Concession, Coupro-
mise, Cancellation. They may win some loca!
advantages on it, but those advantages must ult
! mately prove their ruin. The moment they gam
power by such means, the iasehOOd Of their pO-
sition is exposed. They must now propose spcc-
fc measures with ability to carry them; and
doing thus, they are confronted BY the fact that
the Cotton Olgarchy do not accept their pro-
posals, but spurn them. They viii thus have hui
inflated the North yet not concated the South,
and are now at the end OF their rope. Their
impotence and quackery will stand confessed, and
The resulting verdict against them must be final.
Again we say, Let the Administration, so soon
as may be- proclaim its policy, 80 plainly that il