New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-16
MISCELLANEOUS.
DEMOCRATIC POSITION ON THE SOUTHERN
QUESTION.

SR: Looking at the name signed 70 this cOmnunlca-
ton, which will give you the most undoubted reasons
for believing TO be true and candid one, and ex-
aetly expressing the position and belief OF the writer,
you may feel surprise, and may large number
Of your readers, at my having selected THE TRIBUNE
az q medium for giving expression to the sentiments
and state contained in this article Democrats do
not often make The TRIBUNE their organ for the ex
preston of political opinions, as am well aware; and
am equally free to confess that under any crcum'
stances other than those at present existing, should
not myself select paper to the general course OF which
30 strongly object as amedum Of communicating with
the public. But what have to say addresses itself
especially 10 the General Government and the kepub
lican party; and / am not bigoted enough against
newspaper, with the course Of which may be dissats-
fed to ignore or fail TO recognize its wide circulation
or influence. The TRIBUNE did much 10 bring the
present Chief Magistrate before the country, and
played an equally important part in securing his cleo
ton II cannot be otherwise than that its columns are
looked to with some confidence by the President and
bis Cabinet when DESTROYS to know the varying cur
rents of public feeling. What express here, then,
must come to the Government with some authority
that Government having full confidence that You would
not attempt to mslead them to matters Of fact and
that you would exercse due care in tracing out the
origin Of statements put forth in your columns. This,
attering to Yourself in degree, and the opposite
in other particulars must be my full explanation If not
apology for obtruding upon you expressions which
under other circumstances could find their appro-
pirate place in journals holding my own political creed.
have raid that wish, through your columns, to
address the Government. am plain man, and may
have difficulty in making myself fully understood; but
trust that may be able write with much of the
confidence and earnestness which l really feel, that
all who read may be convinced Of my thorough SINGER
ity 81 his crisis the Government shouldnobe ef for
one monent in doubt on any point Of public opinion
pernen; to the great duty and responsibility in which
the Administration IL involved President Lincoln and
his Cabinet must be more unworthy the station they
hold. than could have supposed when voted against
him land by result against them at the last general
election If they are Disposed to administer the Gov
eminent solely for the interests and at the behoof Of
any single party. II they the patriotic men hope
them they remember that though elected by plura-
ty Of votes the Administration s like all others, by
no means the unanimous choice of the people and that
very large minority, even in the Northern States
have wshes and feelings 10 be consulted, which can
not possibly he ignored by the Government without
alternating friends ard sill more embuerng foes. The
Administration, too must be fully aware thai in any
forcible operations looking the preservation of the
dignity of the country, il needs the support Of the
,ckoe PEOPLE and that without that support its action
mus, be cramped, crippled, and eventually subjected
10 the chances Of partial if not total alure-a failure
which would involve the partial if not total destruc-
ton of the country. DO exaggerate, then, when |
reera,e the absolute necessity it lies under, Of fully
understanding the wishes and positions Of the bulk Of
H. hNx-a
heretofore opposed Republicanism, and who in the
came phalanx will stand ready 10 oppose Il again when
ever the national position liz again such as to make the
strict drawing Of party nee nything ese than abettng
national suicide.
Il with reference TO the position Of the body Of the
Democracy on the national question, that would
write not less in justice TO them than in view of the
strong necessity Of true information the part Of the
Government to which have before adverted. have
every reason TO know that the position Of the National
Democracy the question OF sustaining the authority
Of the Government aud the Union by any and all
means possible, is grossly misunderstood by many OF
,hos, without its pale The ultra men of the South
fearfny misunderstood it, they would never have
yentured upon the of rebellion now eliminating
They-he Souhelners-haye been misled, by the false
and ratorou statements OF papers heretofore protesting
to express the views of the Northern Democracy into
the belief that sympathy with Secession is general out
side the ranks OF the Republican party. They know
how faithfully and selfsacfcingy we fought for them
when they yet pretended TO hold toward us the position
Of brotherhood and they not In the heat OF their
present madness, quite capable OF drawing the line ut
which those who have sympatbized with undoubted
Southern rrongs withdraw all sympathy with
the wronged persons when they no longer
ask for Justice but take up the weapons
of rank rebellion regret to say that with few bright
exceptions the proessody Democratic press OF this city
il false alike to the party and the country and con-
tnua declarations of the weakness and want OF unan-
unity of tho North coupled with continual avowals OF
sympathy with the Southern movement, must do much
to keep up the unfortunate Illusion under which, on this
point the seeding South seems TO be all the while
aborng have no doubt that in the event OF strug-
gle extending over the nation the body OF the Seces-
sonists confidently calculate not only upon large MI
norty of the North refusing to enter into the conflict
but upon finding extensive material and moral aid from
this quarter. Under no other suggestion, think,
could thew have s,aked their all upon desperate
cause as that in which they are now embarked. Very
MANY of The Republicans of the North too, have no
question look upon the body of the Democracy as GER
aip to be lukewarm II not traitorous in the National
cause, and fail on that account to do their share IN do
ing away for the present all party lines and taking that
counsel with those who would temporarily be then
allies for the public good, which might be beneficial
eventually to the great national cause. Ii the men OIL
tho North them as well those of the South are many
Of them so fatally deceived as to the poahion OF he
Northern Democracy for the reasons ! have stated
how much danger is there that the Administration
should labor, at least partially, under the same decep
ton. and be weakened in Its measures by the doubt
support which is really ready to Its hand