New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-07
CRISIS OF THE REVOLUTION.
pIvERGENCIEs OF TIE NORTH AND SOUTH

SIR No true fiend Of bis country can, think, see
tie disorders existing without feeling Of humilia-
ton AGoyerDment that had obtained rank among the
greet Powers Of the world is found wholly destitute Of
force TO repress an ncpient Instruction No can
doubt that when the fret action taken in South
Carolina for the subvenioD of Federal Government,
all individuals concerned were Liable to be proceeded
against under Federal laws. have doubt they
still amenaJle, inaslnuch the State has authority,
either by Legislature OF Convention, TO aLsolve ts
citizens from their Obligation to the General Govern
trent. But il ia a very different when OIL er States
have been induced by the mpnnity allowed 10 such
open defiance # Federal authority, to follow tie pre-
cedent. Instead Of TeUOH II then becomes reToiu-
ton.
All tbis, however, seems TO be looked upon at the
South as mere holiday la'tme. Ton missloDers are
sent from the first seeding State 10 treat with our
Government, not Ia regard 10 the admission Of the
sovereignty Of the new poteBtate but for the settle
meHt Of tie chims IL makes TO territories and public
property, as if the United States had seeded from
South Carolina and carried off its domain Whlle tIls
damac performance is going on tie pubic deiellhes
are seized by tie Staier Of Florida, Alabama and
Louiana, and secessiUn is d.clAed by tie I" hrSt
named, in which they ined by Misti app, and
win lie followed perhaps by others 10. Senators OF
tloida have though it, however, advisable TO reuIain
in Washington and receive their pay from the Govern
ment which they openly endeayOIing TO destroy,
ard il reported that Mbsipp takes her Senators 10
Gtzzlenent.
The Executive head Of our Government. while these
things are being enacted exhibits para yss utter
centurion of mind Tie forts at Cbal. stoD are left
prov for upon recent understanding as If sand,
that any change in tie condition Of things viii be
deemed hostile by the Sovereignty Of south Car
on-but il appears that the fretidenI only was bound,
i.asnuch proceedings are vigorously taken toPut
the harOOr into con pete stale Of Gefense and lot
merely by the terrifying OF PORTIONS heretofore Occu-
lttb .st NJ hiatt
prevent the possibility Of any euceer when an attack
should be ready TO be mace upon the weak gason OF
the Federal fort thus left 10 s fate. Iced not pur-
in detail the subsequent movements In respect to
tls Larbor. The public mind has, doubt Dot beea
startled from its su by the insult upon Gov
eminent by tie sct Of IiDg upon vessel bearing the
fog of the United States.
In reviewing the rec kess and arrogant conduct q
the seeding States, am reminded VI the contrast III
the protecting Of the South III 1914 Tbeh New'En
gland felt agggieved by the deienseess condI Ion IN
III which her whole se4boaTd was left by the feder1l
Administration after country lad been prec ated
into war without the consent Of tie Eastern etaes
and the sas VI which Tell mOre heaN
lily them than upon any othec part OF the county
J ct they did not therefore resolve to separate
themselves from the other States, and submit 10 Tie
enemy seek seine foreign alliapce. Ihey merely
called CONVEX by which q memorial was pre-
Jared asking Congress either To provide Tor the defense
Of the Ea- TO allow The several States 10
call out their at public expense for that object
Yet, moderate as Was the tone Of this Convention,
there was an cutlery against 1t by the South, which
theD, it las done ever slice, ruled the Denocae
larty. The Convention itselt was denounced a.
rborous and liz members matiz.d to such degree
tat few OF them ever ait, rwafd Leld pubic oihce,
although that body was composed vi men VINO had
proved their patriotism, and many Of whom were poe
sessed of abilities that would have been eininently
useful the country had they not been thur osracied
by the predominant power.
Ii il lot my purpose pursue the comparison at any
length. The records Of history have settled the charac
ter OF that Convention. The perinenee OF the refer.
ece If only To bring into direct view the doctrine
Which was then maintained by the South and the utter
reputation u IL Virginia was partil nIariy con-
ticuOus Ia asserting at that lime that there could be
10 action by Stale independent OF or insubordlnate to
the General Government within the sphere OF Federal
authority for any cause whatever Must We not infer
from the doublefaced po'y thus avJwed at the South
that the doctrine there Ii that secession by Northern
STATE is inadmisrrJe, no matter what may lie the
wrOugr OF which nhe has cause 10 cOnplaln-but that
II il optional with Southern State sec.de capicious
~ trfh ctthONt state it thus because, as,
according the present doctrine the State itself is the
fule Judge of tito susncy OF the cause, it Is equally
ruth, ieIt whether there be actual grievance or not
the State determine.
know not how the State Of Virginia can reconcile
with its honor the abandonment Of Princle formerly
maintained With 20 much yigor by It's most dstin-
ruis ed statesmen Equally inComprehensible If it to
me how she can find il consistent with the prominent
pHrt which she had in the formation Of the Federal
Government, and he high stand ste has always taken
In maintaining lie Integrity, with the submission now
10 the dctution Of ees nl orat States who have not
the like menQIies Of noble patriotism and Of eminent
service country TO restrain the sinister
purposes OF politicians, the reckless passions OF
Misguided popuaee.
peak Of Virginia with the most sincere respect.
could not do otherwise when remember the import
ant service that Stale rendered in the war OF the
Revolution and in the establishment Of the present
form Of Government and In the honors conferred upon
the nation by the genius and virtues Of its many emf
nent men.
Again when looking from the past TO the future, it
perplexes all speculation TO find what community OF
interest the Stale OF Virginia have with the
States which have taken the initiative OF Seces iOn or
what common policy could be agreed upon suppo,iug
all the holding States 10 90 out together 'lr-
uia must o"k for her future prosperity TO the devel-
opmsnt Of her vast mineral resources and agricultural
productions not including either OF the three staples Of
the South-eotton, rice or sugar. She VIII naturally
seek protective policy; inGeed, II l. rs essential 10
her Interest a. il is 10 Penusy But the ayowed
policy of the Cotton States is Free+rade How this
will be reconcied with the profession which Louisiana
viii require for sugar know not. The discreIauc
will be resolved il is most likely, by sesestions,
until the Southern Cotederaey, that now looms up az
II il might be moety Of the present cot federated
States will lie severed into detached fragments that
have not sufficient homOgeneity to cohere.
pass, however, from these general considerations
TO few suggestions which l hope may 3ave SINE
weight with thoughtful aud right-ninded men.
IL is apparent that We ire not to look for extca-
lion from the present disordeed condition OF things,
by any device of politicians. There indeed 10
men now in public Office, holding the commanding posi-
lion, nor perhaps having the imposing ability that
would DO necessary TO conriye or carry through meas
ures Of compromise that would aay the ermeDt of the
country as has been done several former occa IONS
Indeed, any scheme of Cancellation which might be
clabogated by the combined wisdom Of Congress- would,
in my opinion sl Of satis ing both parts Of the coun-
try. .
H. There are intrinsic difficulties IN the way of com;
promise, which can barely hint at. From personal
aconninance in several u the Southern States rs wen