New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-06
DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT.

Il,
Day by day and hour By hour it grows more
and more plain that the establishment Of South
ern SlsyehOldiDg COnfederacy is inevitable. AL
influences, aud all agencies brought to bear By
the men who are trying to save the Union by
concessions and compromises, combine to pre-
ciptate this result. The policy Of the more
moderate cOmprOmisers, who go on the maxim
of throwing tub to the whale, or tickling him
with the strawS Of soft aud ambiguous speech
only drives the more determined rebels for
ward upon their predetermined line of con-
duct with fresh earnestness. They do not
wish to be triaed with. Such coursss ncite
them to resclute action far more surely than if
they were met by straightforward, honest opposi-
ton. So, too, the efforts OF the Democratic party
in the North, of which the recent New-York
Democratic Convention is sample, tends to the
same result. The Democratic party of this
great State send forth the announcement, that
they are opposed to enforcing the laws in the
seeding States. This declaration comes just in
time to suit the purposes of TOombs, Yascey,
Cobb & Co. at the Southern Confederacy Con.
yentoD, which met at Montgomery on Monday
to lay the foundations Of the new empire. The
leaders of the grand rebellion seize upon il as
evidence that on the question of coercion" the
North is divided. And they say, Why should
anybody hesitate now! The way is clear before
us. We are not to be opposed. We have only
to act with prompt bodness and our work is ac-
complished. The Northern Democrats say hcy
must be conquered before any force can be en-
ployed in the South TO coerce the seeding States
back into obedience to tue Constitution aud the
laws. Thus does every step OF the men who are
protesting gu anxious desire to save the Union,
and who denounce those who believe in holding a
a steady front to rebellion, tend directly and I'M
mediately to preeiptate the very event they pro-
TESS to deprecate
But whether in one way or another, the
speedy establishment of Southern SlavehOlding
Confedefacy seems to admit of little doubt. Just
how extensive it is to be, just what States it
will embrace, or how permanent it will be, is q
matter Of uncertainty. But an important ques-
ton is brought up by the fact ITSELF which must
be decided by the Free States and by the Fed
eral Government. This u.s. What win they do
about it VIII they break up this COnfederacy
and force back into obedience all the States of
which il is to be composed Or will they treat
with the seeding States on some other basis,
This is a question of the very grayest concern.
On il depend issues Of rnomentous consequence.
IL is of great Importance that the public mind
shall be led into no error on the subject. 1t is
especially important that the Republican party,
and its leaders shall be committed TO no false
ideas in connection with it. We see or may see,
plainly enough that the Democratic party of the
North, and the revolutionary elements everywhere,
are disposed TO thwart the action of the Govern
men under Republican administration, without
any regard to the public veal. The Republican
party must, therefore, plant themselves upon i'm
pregnable ground, so as to force union Of the
whole North upon their policy, Notwithstanding
the factious action OF partisan leaders. There
can be no doubt that this policy must coincide
with the strict line of patriotic duty and true
craftsmanship.
The United States Government must treat the
Secession movement as being just what it ia
revolution. The first aud highest duty OF the
Government is to guard the safety and interests
present and prospective, of the loyal States.
1t has no call to run after the stray sheep of
the flock, till the main body Of the broken herd
is secured. The first necessity is firmly and
immovably to limit the Secession movement
where il trenches upon the interests Of the Free
States. 1t must be checked at the Potomac 1t
must be arrested at the Mississippi. II must be
watched in the Territories. The Gulf of Mexico
must be held under Federal control.
There is thus plenty of work for the Federal
Government to do in behalf OF the interests OF
the loyal States with regard to which the pro-
priety OF its course cannot be questioned. And 1t
ia not worth while to needlessly depart from this
lpe of action, and to bring up questions about
the coercion" Of revolving States in the heart
of the South. There is nothing TO do in that
quarter except to turn back vessels from South
eru ,caporis that aim to violate the revenue
laws which ia q comparatively easy work. % The
nain purpose of the Government must DO TO de-
fead itself BY establishing proper checks aud ii@'