The south-western., 1861-04-10


entire propriety and that in event it be made
the occasion of hostiltes While it might be entirely
t-udent for government to withdraw the garrison
fow hoding it, and while this is the step which, under
all the circumstances would advise yet we are free
TO say that should the government OF the confederate
State initiate hostile proceedings for the summary cap
ture Of this single federal post it would indicate an
aacty for such as would do dscredt to its rcputC
for humanity throughout the civilised world. Forwha
present is the admitted character of that government:
The provisional creation of body Of men, appointed
BY State conventions whose members elected with
out the least reference to the formation of any federal
government whether provisional permanent, it has
no sufficiently ascerained basis in the popular will to
insure for its editts unquestionng and immediate
assent the hands of other governments whose popu
lar legitimacy admits of no question. If, then, while
advising orbearancc on both sides, would have the
federal government take prominence in the way Of
conciiaon is because by doing best defeat
the uIteror purposes which might be subserrcd by a
different policy.
In view of the difficulties which surround an adjust
ment to the questions raised by the dismcmbermcut OF
the Union we have come to the conclusion that no
authority less final and comprehensive than general
convention of the States still remaining loyal to their
federal allegiance can be successfully ilwokcd in the
premises. We take it for granted that fhe separation
of the seeded States is to be permanent the questions
now outstanding between them and te federal govern
to be settled in authoritative mannerand
know of no way in which this can be done appro-
priatcly and effectively by the arbitration of national
conference. Iwoud be the duty of such convcntont
revise the constitution of the United States and this
might be done in such way to bring about recon
structon Of the Union or if this should be found Inn
practicable provision might be made fercontractiug the
limits of the Union so as to comprise only the State
acccding the project of a constitution submitted as
the fruits of lis laboy In the propositions Of the late
peace conference have already the basis of consu
tuna amendments, which, in substance il mott in FORM
might be taken as the general raying cry Of conscrya
tive men in proceeding to the election of delegates to
such convention from all the States The work of the
peace conference, far from falling to the ground,
might thus be made the of assuring the return of
majority Of the delegates committed to its general
principles and thus the proceedings Of the national
convention would be restrained within just limits with
out dvcrgHg into the centrarcties of opinion spring
ing from the prcdomnancc of sectional antagonisms
over the spirit Of concession ard compromise
As no one proposes the subugation Of the seeded
States, it follows that the adjustment Of their relations
to the federal government can be arranged only by
their voluntary return the Union or by the definite
recognition of their independence out of it. As soon
as it shall be made apparent that the people Of the Sc
dcd States desire permanent separation from their
former concderates it would seem to be the bart Of
wisdom and sound policy for the people of the United
States to acqeiesee in that desire Nothing can be
gained in the interest Of peace and dignity or good
neiglborhood reciprocal trade by persistent refu
sal to ascertain and fix disputed relations which musbc
ABUSED in the end and Which can be more satisacto
ry adjusted by negotiating before war than negotiations
after war.
And this leads Us to remark that the people of the
loyal States have interest in the adjustment of this
question at early day so soon as il shall be salts
ctorily asccrtaned f should be SO soasccrainc that
the secession Of the confederate States is denitiyeror
in the interval vacancy exists in the representation
of the seeded States in congress but as the new amor
tonmcnt of federal representations consequent on the
late census proceeds the assumption that these States
still form part Of the Union follows that the people
of the adhcring States pro anta deprived of the
additional representation they would receive in case the
ratio of representation should be fxcd with exclusive
reference to the population which acknowledges fealty
to the constitution and laws of the United States.
There is also another consideration which plead,
strongly in favor Of adjusting this question according 70
the accomplished facts Of ourpoltical situations as
as all the indications shall inaIliby point to pcrma-
nent dissolution of the Union. We alluded to the
,nf1 fl
ted States. One such, having been proposed bv con
grcss at its late session. is already pending before the
several States, and ifs national convention is called
Others will be admitted. BY the terms of the constitu
ton it is required that such amendments shall be ra
fed by tlreefourths of all the States The secession
Of seven States has reduccdto wcnty-scyen the number
Jf States still adherng to the constitution, and if the
ormcr are to be regarded in spite Of their alleged Sc
,cssion as integral members of the Union it will be in
n the Powcrol any two States defeat the ratification
Of amendments to the constitution for the ratification
u twcnyx out of the thirty-iour States will be neces
AIRY to procure the requisite majority Of tlrccourths
In the presence of such facts is obvious that there
point beyond which it would be absurd to push the
xacons Of theory in opposition to the dictates of 20
itic;l prudence.
" ICii ltC uCNDiO Vi inc ensuing shall
no doubt respecting the determination of the peo
Die in the seeded States 10 maintain their present atti
udc towards the United States We shall advocate the
olcy of their recognition by government and this
mong other questions might be referred to the arbi-
ramcn of national convention, which would be called
make arrangements with special reference to this
natter. In the meantime and equally in behalf of both
ovcrnmcnts We shall not cease to inccutatc the duty
f patience and the arts Of peace
''AN IRnEPREsIBLE CoSFLIcToR."- An ingenious ct
en- of Des Arc Ark, has invented "thingn which he
as water craft and yet it is that and something else
lso; steamboat, a war-vesscl sptf-e of smoke and
hunder battering ram, rather battering pike;
cssesinkcr or destroyer irrepressiblc confictor
omething intended to meet the present crisis The |
itzen says Of the ''iyrepressiblc cenaictor"
1t is to be used in harbors which is expected to
un thirty or forty miles per hour SO as to ovcrtake
ny navy vessel even under headway; bore an eighteen
ach hole in the side stern of copper or
vessel two or three feet under water discharge three