New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-12


iion and protection 10 II south Of that neand the
RI 10 apply to all territory hereafter aequired-th is
the Principle Of the proposed amendment. And the
asnGmed feature - vital II the territorial question
can he settled at ALL It should be settled Tor all time,
and locked up in the Constitution. OtherwEe, there
can be no hope of exemption from inceesant Anti
Slavery agitation, and the country would soon De
thrown again into the midst of political and financial
conyuLions TIE Southern States cannot afford 70 DC
shut of from all possibility OF expansion toward the
tr Pics by the hostiF Son Of the Federal Government
am sure tba, this plan of adJEsment has been Oh
fered, the foil measure OF oar rights, but as
patriotic concession, with .he hope OF obtaining
promptly security and pea.e. n view Of the knowi
,dge we have Of the progress 1i political AntiSayery
opinion and Of the in which the Federal Gov
rrrnent may be employed by acete influences 1t falls
far short Of what would be required in forming an
original scheme Of government, even 10 recsnstruct
ing tie old one Alter the experience we have had of
the practical working of the system, find it difficult
to cherish welgrounded hope OF permanent security
except by the introduction Of some element which
would give the South the power Of self-Protection
cannot suppote that Kentucky would consider her
rights, intereHs and honor safe under any settlement
less thorough than this proposed by Mr.. Cnttenden
Any attempt to emsseulats Il by excluding from its
score afteracqued territory, or BY failing TO recog
language clear and explicit that employed to pro-
bbi it north of the line, by vang It's provisions in
ambiguous phrases, could only result In new ag1ta-
IT, and oonvul ions. believe that kentucky wants
v
and honest mind can understand.
have not referred o the Personal Liberty bills of
the Northern States because they the subjects OF
State action; Dor TO various propositions concerning
the Fugitive Slave Law, because they relate only 70
legislative action to the question concerning the
ri, BIT Of soourn and transit with slave property nor
10 several schemes Of constitutional amendment which
den and for the South than the plan of Mr. Crit
tendep have said that, in my opinion, no thorough
and satisfactory amendments will be proposed to
tie States by Congress-; and have taken the plan
which comedies most 10 the Northern States, and
which presents the least that suppose any portion Of
the South would accept. And now, Sir, toll you
that the Republicans in Congress, and fear in the
country, never will adopt it. They will not recognise
in any fom directly indirectly property 10 slaves
They will outlaw from the protection of the common
Government property TO the value Of 600 OOOand
which is interviewer with the very structure OF so-
cety in nearly hsf the States Of the Union. They in
tend that the South shall have any portion in
the territory Of the Union. Their fixed policy Is TO
WELD the Federal Government for Anti-Slsvery pur-
poses and TO crush all opposition by arms. am not
mistaken In the purposes the esolnte and controlling
sIiIiis OF that organization at this capital.
At an early day in the zion, number OF gentle
men, fearing at suitable guarantees could be pro-
Josed by Congress, began TO look 10 the States and
the IeoIle. 1he republicans having control OF the
Northern States friends there were, Of course, un
able 10 move. An earnest effort was made here 70
secure Convention of all the Southern States. The
pb could not command the requisite support, and WA
hoTeful movement was get foot, looking to an i'm
mediate conference Of the border saveh0ldng States
(embraoirg Tennessee and North Carolina, with the
view TO unite their counses and avert the danger OF
civil war. But here, alsn he obstacles proved 10
surmonLtabe, and the time lOr such action has passed
Each of there States therefore, must decide for itself
the sttituee il will occupy in this emergency.
The immediate quertion now presented is, peace or
war. Wbetl er lie right Of State OF States to dis
solve col necin with the Federal system be preserved
right, grow ing out Of the Constitution, or the
right of revolution the great fact lies before us, that
TIE act has be. done; and we are not permitted TO
doubt that in few weeks seven or eight States con-
tanning larger pt pulaton than the thirteen Colonies
at the epoch Of the Revolution, will have Withdrawn
from The Union and declared their independence I'm.
der Whatever disguised, collision Of with
them will be war.
Tie dominant party fere rejecting everyti ing pro-
posir nothing, purt uing policy which under the
name of enforcing The laws" and " Furnishing trai-
tors threatens TO Ildnee the country into all the ca
Lmities Of civil war.
TIE Federal Union cannot be preserved by arms.
The attempt would unite the Southern States in resist
ance while in the North great multitude Of true and
loyol would consent ~ shed the blood Of our
people in the and under the authority Of violated
contract. A serious collision upon existing issue6
would destroy whatever hope may yet remain of pre-
serving or restoring the Union An attempt TO hold it
together by tho bayonet would exceed snything yet
recorded in the annals Of human madness and folly IL
would bring on a war Of unexampled ferooy in which
every vital principle Of the Union would disappear
forever. If the South should succeed in maintaining
her INDEPENDENCE the euds and animcsies engendered
by the contest between the sections world be transmit
ted to succeeding generations WHILE il she should be
tuhiugated, the Government would become in form
ard in fact consolidated and would reach the usual
Historical termination in military despotism. But her
Fubugaiion IN inposEible without eXtermnation-and
thai L. in possible.
And yet the danger Of civil war is imminent, unless
it shall be arrested by prompt and energetic action. IT,
before the passions OF men become aroused and series
OF un,owaid events drift us into strife Kentucky and
tie oil border Sates shall calmly and firmly present
a united front against il, believe il may be arrested
Fifteen States are potent TO prevent war This, too
would strengthen all the true men in the Northern
ticn let us annihilae party. The force party believe
that Kentucky and other Southern States are seriously
divided on this subject. Unless this can DO quickly
shown TO be delusioD it mayA become the parent Of
brood Of woes.
HE wisdom of the Legislature willdoubtess provide
whatever is needful yet at time like this it becomes
the duty il IL the right Of every man TO express his
opinions; and one citizen Of the Commonwealth L
give my voice for State Convention. IL 10 only by the
direct action Of the several States in their sovereign
capary that ANYTHING eiectusl be done; aud,
fU ore desire that Kentucky may have an oppotuni-
~ 10 determine in the most solemn manner her judy
nent of her rights and her attitude In the present
don of affairs. She has not been an inactive nor iu-
glorious member Of the Confedeacyi che In the pres
ence of great and startling events and II Is not her n
ture 10 lit in lisess apathy borne along by rapid cur
rents without. the power TO direct her course. Let her
have The opportunity through her chosen Representa-
tves Of deciding upon the prospect Of reuning all the
States 10 Constitutional Union, or, If that shall be
impossible let her be In aposion to determine her
own destiny.
} hi. letter has grown longer than intended, al.
though have adhered pretty closely TO my original
puroe rather to present facts and my Impressions of
i,m from this stand point, than to enter upon elabo-
rate discussion. need not say TO you, my dear Sir,
that have uttered nothing in obstrusiye spirit but
ratl er reluctantly and torrowfuly Ny suggestions in
regard to the action OF Kentucky offered in spirit
of loyalty to the State love and will ever obey. Tney
nre clearly right wrong liz night the pIensure