Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-01-15

Letter from Large VirginIn Stakeholder.
The following is an extract from a private
letter from gentleman in France, who for
many years resided in Virginia, owns large
estates there, and is connected with some of
the most influential families in the South:
Did all our citizens know, and BY expert
rience and travel, be made to feel the peou-
liar blessings of the political freedom they
enioy; if they could only Judge by contrasts
felt and seen in the most liberal governments
of Europe, they would be seized with terror
at the unspeakable evils they are threatening
themselves with by the wild insanity of dis
union.
This may be said of the North and Of the
South both are in part responsible; the
North, by an unnecessary elaboration and
Interpretation of the Constitution on sub
jects in which they have only an abstract
interest, and the South, by q manifestation of
rage and terror about that which has no inn
mediate bearing, and is only, at worst, o pro-
spective threat. So little are either sections
troubled by the real grievances which people
endure on this side, that they manufacture
bones Of contention, alarm the world, and
give opportunities TO the ignorant and de-
praved political gambler to rush them to the
brink Of social, pecuniary and political ruin.
But into that gulf they will never plunge
it is contracted by characteristic common
sense. We are not a people controlled and
regulated in our actions by ideas alone, and
must have definite practical results to attain
before we precipitate ourselves into action
If the tea had not been brought into Boston
harbor, our Revolution would have been a
long time deferred, and would have waited
the fact of an overt act
There is nothing that has occurred but
lnf Ata South ao1 ank sA1 al t,1., q
President, land he elected can take no offens-
i've steps if he would defeat more than prin-
ciple.) This, from all can see published, is
the moving and exciting element of the
Southern action and the puerile reasonings
of limited craftsmanship magnify into i'm
portance the elements of abstract apprehen-
sions, beyond which local prejudices have
not permitted them to look; they ignore all
the strong realities of good political condi-
ton, the liberal provisions for individual
| liberty and national aggrandizement and
| greatness; they would forfeit the worlds
esteem; they would break the net of wisdom
| which has firmly, yet mildly, bound them
they would yield the glory gained by the
brilliant example we have set mankind
which now vibrates to ancient Italy, and
electrifes the world by the solution of mems
| liberty, making governments regal and des
potic subject to popular suffrage; they en-.
! " SuONtTJ SUCH u gov
ernment, and out of which, if subverted, al
the miseries which Europe is just now es
Gaping must event late .rs
lmperfection is the lot of man. We mus
Judge communities, not by their faults, bu
by their virtues, and this rule of common
sense should be applied quickly to the va
rious issues now presented to the nation.
The North is. full of faults, has selfshly
and needlessly expressed her opinions BY
] large majorities upon slavery. All thu
world have the same opinion but even the
North would at one time have considered il
impertineht in Europe if the opinion wa
! constantly and unnecessarily expressed
They have had their say. They have ridden
into power only by the influence of the alb.
stract sentiment, not for the purpose of en-.
forcing it. The South are not wise or trust
ing enough to see this, and act as if thu
deeds were done. b..
The power of the North is slowly, surely
| progressing under the influence of prosperity
and emigration. If they are sincere in the
belief that slavery necessarily retards the To-
cality in which it exists, time will produce
results with legitimate and wholesome
speed. The North can afford to wait the in
exorable action of time. Why elaborate 'o
perYert the Constitution Why precipitatt
results2 All the power or wisdom of maj
can not fetter the flow of a great human tid
Oh 4,UUO,OUU SldNeSs I.IONlu6uC6 udS p6EIulb
ted its existence and conducted its progress
and will wisely indicate its limits and reg
ulate its fate.
The North has been deluded into aetiol
on an idea, and have made the South believ
that all they hold dear is at stake; true o
false, this is the condition the one has pro
claimed an idea they never intend to put il
practice; the other believes and struggle
against reality destructive to their entir
interests. ..#st
The one has unnecessarily and indirectl
assumed hostile attitude; the other al
sumes the mistaken refuge of Secession.
is the duty Of the North, as the unintentioni
aggressor, to make the amend. Politics
communities should proclaim and sustai
only what they intend to enforce, and th
North, by 1000 900 majority, would refuse
any form, manner, or way, to inaugurate
law destructive to both sections and unjus