The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-19
| nAer a. she COuntr, Dark Cloud.
/ Again ARISING

iurs ., extremists at the North once more
ard it, attendant horrors, can ooly be averte !
ny prompt apd speedy action an the part Of the
incoming administration. Compare the so-ech
Of President Davis, at Montgomery with the
caucus pro 'eeiings Of Congressional repuhli-
Cabs at Washington. and the inevitable cnncln-
lies are impending, If the sentiments they inc
cate, represent to any extent, the views OF the
masses al the people in the North and ut the
south. Until within two months. Mr.. jeff rson
Davis has been known as thorough Union
man. His political acts and deci arations ex.
have borne an impress of nation ality which
could not be mistaken or misunderstood. II.
n,w appeals, however, to the sword, and de-
votes his military services TO the welfare Of the
AK States over which he has been called on to
preside, "a though "ba,tsm in bl ,Od" of the
southern contederacy, were the only hope nc
en'rr'aned Of maintaining ITS integrity He
even throws away the scabbarn aud OK
cln'ms:-"1he time for compromises il passed
and we are determined to IN tintain our posi-
,ion, and make al who oppose US smell Sol tn
ern powder and feel Southern steel. No com
nrnlnise. no ,econs truction can any longer be
entertained" 1t is true his Inaugural Adj
dress, delivered yesterday, is more pacific and
'onciatory, but is no less determined in it,
tone and character. Meanwhile, bayoneis
,riste, cavalry prance, and the heavy
read of artillery is beard on Pennsylvania
avenue, and. under the auspices of the
Fessendens, Summers, Wades, Hales and Gree
'eys OF the abolironist party at The North every
nerve is strained to force Mr.. Lincoln into
actively aggI essive measures against the &C.
c-ding States. The shipwreck Of our pros
peri,y as a nation will be unavoidable, unless
and decided hand.
There never was a moment in the history of
he United States, when time was of Sc much
value. The errors or inadvertencies of a
moment, may precipitate events, hey ond the
possibility Of a remedy. Yet day by day
passes by, aud the country gazcs with stupefac
rion at the apathy, inactivity and ignorance of
hote who are entrusted with their most sacred
interests. If the Crit'enden amendments to
be constitution had been adopted by Congress,
II few weeks ago, an instant stop would have
been put to the progress of the disunon con
fagion in the cotton States. That chance was
Flowed to pass away. The Border Peace Con
ference was then convened; but its members
have unfortunately been selected from among
he most antiquated fossils Of the land-men
behind the time and unequal to its require
ments. They have accomplished nothing aud
their efforts can effect no permanent good
They are afraid Of the sounds Of their owa
vol, es, and have refused to permit their de-
hberations to be known to the public They
have the confidence Of no one, and no plan Of
compromise they can suggest will be &C ;epted
Neither will the present Congress do aught to
dispel the tempest that threatens to engulf US.
The shiftless imbecility, incapacity, stupidity,
together with the gross venality Of the Senate
and House of Representatives, have literally
filed every corner of the republic with
amazement The republican majority zee
the nation drifting towards precipice,
but can imagine no higher aim than
to squabble for place and apporticn spoils,
which, if they are not careful, will never come
into their hands. Can anything be more hor-
ribleg In the annals of hstory--in the darkest
periods of Rome, the Italian republics of the
Middle Ages, or even in the convulsed epoch at
which Mexico has arrived-does there exist the
parallel of a nation, at the height of its pros
perity, surrounded by every external and re-
joicing in every internal essential of happiness,
plunging its future destiny, its wealth, fair
fame and the hopes humanity had founded upon
it, into more hopeless abyss OF ruin, desola-
ton and misery. The mind shrinks with dis
may from the humliating prospect before US.
Union loving as are the leaders of the South
ern confederacy, including Mr.. Jefferson Davis
and Vice President stephens; inextinguishable
as is the attachment Of nne-tenths OF the voters
in the Northern States for their country; pre-
pared as moderate, sober minded intelligent
citizens, in all of the thirty three States are TO
make every sacrifice, and to adopt every amend
ment to the constitution which shall be requi-
site to maintain peace and reconstruct the re
public; it is none the less painfully true that
an unnatural, Fictitious outside pressure Of
revolutionists in both sections, is compelling
those whom they have entrusted witt
power to bury cut Of sight their pro-
clivities for peace. Abolition fanatics
and fre-eating mobocrats, have possession OF
the portals Of the temple of Janus, and they arc
resolved that It's gates shall not be closed.
Yet, below all The fires of discord that rage with
such ferceness, stands out, clear unmistaLe.
able, demonstrated, the popular hatred OF tbc
frenzy which sectional congregations have pro-
duced, and an indispensable hunger and thirst
after such an exhibition Of discretion, judgment
and patriotism. as would Lave been displayed
by Washington, jefferson or Madison. In cri-
sis similar to that which exists. There 4 not
moment, however, TO be Lost to repair tie evils
Of the past. The latest stages of the revolution
have been colossal in their footsteps, and histo-
rical experience shows thai pasalons and nurnoao