Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-01-14
Arrival Of the BrookIyn Ofr Charleston

much anxiety on lut ptit VI thS oOuth OoA-
oiinians for some peaceful way out of the
contest with Fort Sumter and an armed ves-
sel of the Government, now that it grows
imminent. They also show considerable
hesitation in Major Anderson, about resort
ing to the prompt measures to protect the
entrance Of United States vessels into the
harbor, that he intimated in his letter to
Governor Piekens. But It is probable that
Charleston anxiety is father to the report
that he has auy disposition to surrender the
Fort. AS fer any movement on the part Of
the Government to surrender this Fort, and
retreat in the face of armed rebellion, it
would seem that it could only arise from
treachery in the Administration, and it will
be taken as evidence of that, should it occur.
-------u-----
New Guarantees--The Attitude of the
NoIthorn Slave States Toward Scces-
sIon.
Whatever effect dissolution of the Union
may have on the prosperity Of the cotton
States, the border slave States are aware
thst it would he the destruction Of their
greatest material interest. They have the
greatest interest at stake in the Seces-
sion movement; and the country looked
to them for decided conservative position
toward it. 1t was very generally felt that
the preservation of the Unien would chiefly
depend on the attitude which they assumed
toward secession. And the great prevalence
of professions Of love for the Union previous
to the election, and heir organization into q
political party especially to give them force,
greatly strengthened the public confidence
in their fidelity TO the Union.
The Secession movement has been overt
for nearly two months, and time enough has
ELAPSED for the conservative slave States to
define their position; and, partly through
official communications, and partly by their
delegations in Congress, it has been ex-
pressed; and it amounts to this; they CEN
sure tire hasty action of South Carolina, and
do lot admit the right of Secession, and are
for preserving the Union; but they will op-
pose the enforcement Of the laws against Sc
cession, by coercion, and they require "new
guarantees" from the North. To this they
add the menace, which has given so great
aid and comfort to rebellion, that the she'd
ding of drop of blood in any attempt to
put down Secession will unite the whole
South against the Union.
When reduced to plain language, this posi-
ton is that secession is rebellion, but the
Northern slave States will encourage and
protect it, in order to get some political con-
cessions from the North. Whether it is more
honorable to take the risk of rebellion, ant
peril life and fortune in the cause, than II
avoid the responsibility and risk while claim
ing to share the benefits to be won by rebel
lion, is O question which need hardly bt
asked to honorable men. This attitude is toe
much that Of an artful dodger, to be becom,
ing to the dignity of honorable States.
To call this any thing but completely witt
the South Carolina rebellion, would be ar
abuse of common sense. Under this ALI
ance, offensive and defensive with the border
slave States, the recession rebellion -four
ishes and expands in perfect security. Il
now seriously threatens the Government
whose hands are tied by the refusal Of the
entire South in Congress to support the
means requisite for the enforcement of the
laws. And whether the Union shall bt
maintained OF dissolved, depends on whether
this attitude of the border States is to bC
continued.
If this policy is continued, it abandon
the duty Of maintaining the Union entirely
to the North; and there is but one alterna
tive: the North must either submit to sucl
demands as the Cotton States may impose
or must conquer an united South, to pre-
serve the Union.
The FIST would establish the principle tina
Government, which is good enough Will,
controlled by one party, must be broker
down and made over to suit them wheneve
they are in the minority. Ifthat is the case
our forefa,hers deserve any thing but graft
tude for throwing off respectable tyranu
and entailiDg one so despicable upon US.
To suppose that the people are going t
pass under such yoke, would be to suppos
that tLey are cowed by intimidation, and ar
unfit for liberty.
As to the alternative of coercing an unite,
South to preserve the Union: the question
whether the North has the power to do thi;
is not essential. There is nothing to b
gained 10y such a contest that would pay tn
cost. Wars for the conquest of territor.
may enlist the interest and pride of nations
- but 8 prOtracted and exhausting war for tn
purpose of forming a union with hostil
States, guaranteeing them the control c
their own affairs, would be a novelty in th
history of the world.
1t is safe to assume that no such war wi
be undertaken. The North is not going
waste its resources in a war to confer bent
fits on a hostile people. If this Union is PR
-.ssyyed, it win be because it promotes ii
welfare-af the majority of the people; b
cause it is necessary to their peace, safet
and prosperity, and because the majority
the people are faithful to it. State righ
have nothing to do with the question. tt
ople acquire no right to resist the Cover
t by calling their rebellion State &C
federal Government knows nothing bl
els in the execution Of its laws, ar
setOt escape their individual liabilit
and Z SfSStste acHbn. Es
IN ssSLoSSople Of one half GEis lstl
seps TemcOnqqsred TO bsserzsI q
from his irs a5t tdyth fas cSSE 81
very Dem,lhalt b pisaeffedi "a
manners, ana sna SyAtess HBsSy soa -
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