Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-14
Mr.. Russell ON Mr. Chase-DivisiOn of the
Uni0n.

Mr. Russell on Mr. Chase-DtyistOn of the
UniOn.
Mr.. Russell, in his last letter, represents
Mr.. Chase-who, as be truly says, possesses
the largest and most solid brain in the
Cabinet-to have had "no objection, at one
time, to let the South go if it liked, belieV-
ing that the system on which it was founded
must, in the end, and that not distantly, be
the means of inficting punishment aud
vengeance on the seeding States more
terrible than any that either the army or
navy could execute"
1t is surprising that the publication of thi-
statement in respect to the ablest man of the
Administration has called forth no bursts of
patriotic indignation in the North, either
against Mr.. Chase as a Secessionist, or
against Mr.. Russell as a slanderer Of Mr..
Chase for either the one is guilty of a
deliberate and injurious untruth, or the other
is that which has been branded by the press
throughout the North as an enemy to the
Union and a traitor to the country-tha.
sum of all iniquities, "Secessionist."
1t is true that Mr. Russell does pruiently
put the disunionism of Mr.. Chase in the past
tense--he had no objection at one time; but
Mr.. Russell does not affirm, neither does he
give any ground for the supposition that the
views of Mr.. Chase have undergone recent
revolution. Nor is there any reason in the
facts OF the times TO suppose that they have.
Relatively the North and the South stand in
the same position they did five months ago;
and the reasons given for the views of Mr..
Chase are Just as cogent now as then or ever.
Mr.. Chase is-or was-a disunionist for
the sake Of the North: that is to say, he be-
lieVes that the North can dissolve its connec-
ton with the South without serious danger
or injgry to ITSELF and that if the South de.
sires TO try the experiment of a separate
national existence, it is best to permit her to
do so, satisfied that its effect will be such as
to convince her people of Its impolicy, and
to render them unanimously desirous "a be
restored to their old place in the Union.
1t will not do to call Mr. Chase in question
for his opinions however great the influence
they may exert upon the Government Of
which be is a member. He stands upon high
official ground, and lifts his massive head
and solid brain, as Neptune is represented to
do in the Latin poet calm and serene above
the waves of passion that rave and tumble
around him. The denunciation and petty
persecution is reserved for those who, agree
ing with him, are more scce 'sible; and upon
them VicariouSly are the sins Of the high
wont to be visited.
II must be confessed that there are certain
points in which the spirit manifested by the
two sections of this country Is in strange,
and-upon the side of the North-uupleasant
contrast. Self-reliance is a virtue. Ina man
it isproof of selfsustaining ability; the spirit
of Independence is independence ITSELF It is
the same in people. A people who believe
in their capacity to support protect and gov
ern themselves, have, in that belief, the most
important element of such capacity.
The prevailing sentiment of the Southern
people is that the South can do without the
North-that it has, in itself, all that is neess.
sary TO Independence, prosperity, individual
happiness and national respectability-thst
its destiny is in its own hands and that i
has the right and the ability to assume, hold
and defend its claim TO a place among the
nations Of the world. The prevailing senti,
ment Of the Northern peOple-if we are to
judge from their newspapers orators and
sermQnizers-is that the North can not do