New-York daily tribune., 1861-02-18
THE SOUTHERN CONGRESS-.
The Virginia State Convention
FROM WASHINGTON.
MIR. LINCOLN'S POLICY-WHAT is 1T
TO BE

It is very apparent, from Mr.. Lincoln's
speeches, that he has profound sense of the re-
spousibilities of his new position.
In the administration of the government, he
undoubtedly has a very difficult task before him.
His professions, his principles, hls antece ients,
and bis deep convictions, are all against the ex-
tension of Slavery.
The pressure now upon him from all sides, and
from fraction of his own party, is to consent
TO that extension.
He has to decide If he will give way to that
pressure.
The Albany school of Republicans say he ought
tO do it; and give to Slavery the territory south
of the liue of 360 30.
The Compromise Republicans in Congress have
goue no further as yet than TO say he ought to
seem to do t, so as not to appear obstinate or
in,ensibe to the complaints of the sIavebolders
These are the two main forms the proposed
settlemeut called the Compromise has assumed.
One ls to do, the other to seem to do
Nov, the objection to the seemiDg-tO-do plan
is that it will not work. Smooth words" says
the proverb, butter no parsuips.' Which be-
ing interpreted means that promises without per-
formance amount to nothing. The Presldent f
the United States, acting IN grave emergency
like the present, cannot stand on such policy.
1t is trinIng aud unbecomlng.
He must then, march up to the consideration
Of the proposition to consent to the extension OF
Slavery, aud say Yes or No to it. And tbs is
his great embarrassment. 1t ought not to be an
embarrassment. But it is.
hat M
political opposition throughout the couotry presses
HIN to do it, the reyCutOnists press him to do
If, and fraction of his own party presses him 10
do il.
The arguments that are applied are very
weigh,y. The interests that invoke him are vast.
The circumstances that surround hlm are nearly
overwhelming. The consequences that are threat
ened are alarming.
VIII Mr.. Lincoln resist the pressure
He has given no answer yet in any Of bic re-
cent UTE rsuces. He has only declared that he has
tight to use force against the seeding States
10 the extent of recovering United States prop
erty, collecting the revenues, and enforcing the
laws generally.
But THE, it will be perceived, does not touch
The question of what he rs or will be willing to
grant III tie way of concessions to Slavery, in
order to bring bach the seceOiDg Slave States,
ar .tesrrve the Union
! Thus bis administrative policy in regard TO the
Immediate AID vital question now up lcr Prac'
teal solution, has no. yet been in the slightest
degree indicated.
As to any fighting to retake the United States
forts and arseDals and other property, 1t Will
not be- done as an inltistOry step TO any policy
tsat may be adopted, unless by possibility it be
done at the exceptional point Of Pensacola.
We shall not engage in a general war to
conquer the seeding States, and bring them
back into the Upien by force Of aims.
The OILY two policies that ae fairly open to
the coming administration are, !. That of con-
cediug the extension Of Slavery by what is
termed compromise; 2. That Of seni-coercion
10 bring about a cOunter revolution within the
secrdipg States; which plan failing, 10 be fol-
lowed by permitting separation on terms aud
conditions satisfactory to tue United States.
Mr.. Lincoln Will have to choose between these
two plans. 1t is not certain which will be
adopted The Albany school of Republicans
choose concession. They ray it Is better to give
w all we have won, than hazard the cOnse-
queuces Cf refusing 10 do it. Mr.. Seward, the
right hand man of the new President, says the
Union is of more consequence than all parties
and ali platforms, and that whatever sacr6 fee
may be necessary to preserve it, that sacrifice
must be made
So far US can be seen at present, large ma.
jority of the Republican party are averse 10
tie policy Of cor cession, and are ready to risk
the consequences of refusing it.
1t is thus that / conceive the policy of the
new Administration to be involved in doubt, not
wltbstanding the very distinct position hitherto
held by Dir. Lincoln on the question in issue.
The hardest thing To bear in connection with
the subject is the impertDeDce of those who, IN
advocating concession and surrender, declare
that those who oppose this policy are simply
obstinately opposing judicious settlement of our
national disorders; thus begging the very ques-
ton in issue as to what is judicous settlement
Those oppOsed to all concessions, firmly believe
that their course is the only wise aud statesman
bike course that can be pursued, and that any
other is sllke fatal to tho Union itself, to the
strength and stability aud credit OF the Govern
ment, and to the integrity and success OF the
Republican party, on which so much depends
In this Crisis OF the national fate.
The whole position OF the anti. compromise Re-
publlcans is summed up in this. If the CON-
promisers mean to stop with mere words, then
they do not go far enough. II they mean TO 90
beyond words, and consent to Slavery extension,