New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-09
THE RORDRR srATEs.

Whatever else the Border Slave States may
do the plan referred to by our correspondent at
Richmond in this mornings paper, If Central
Confederacy, is altogether the most impractical
bic and most mischievous. 1t is barely pos
sible, though not probable, that the United
States divided into two COnfederacies, Nor
thern and Southern, might maintain separate
Governments, at least for a period, and pre-
serve amicable relations; but to attempt to
divide the country into three Confederacies,
would certainly lead to the worst consequences
Of disunion that have ever been predicted. Dis.
union, pure and simple, would be an alternative
much to be preferred by all parties, and partic-
ularly by the Border States themselves. For the
formation of such Central COnfederacy must
necessarily be preceded by civil war, undertaken
by these Border States on behalf of those further
South in resistance Of the Federal Government;
and who can foretel what may be the result OF
war go begun, not for the purpose
of saving the Union, but because it is de-
stroyed already Better would 1t be
that these States should go at once with South
ern Confederacy, if such be the will OF their
people, than that they should step in as armed
mediators, without the hope of influence enough
to keep the peace on either side. because ON the
important point of lending their strength to either
in permanent Government they abandon both.
If BY q popular vote the Border States unequiyo-
cally declare their intention Of going with the
Confederate States-supposing that they shall not
come back-then the revolution is formidable aud
.t.lIo IL 70 with
70 the North to recognize the existence OF
Southern Confederacy to be met with treaties
rather than with arms But If these States
choose to remain faithful to the Union, they pre-
serve their influence over both parties; over the
South to return to their allegiance, AID over the
North TO exercise forbearauce in any event,
whether the union between them shall be pre-
served or not While should they withdraw aud
form Central COnfederacy, though they may
be the allies for a time of their neighbors on the
South, they sacrifice by refusing TO go with
them altogether, as they do by leaving the North,
all influence whatever, and viii find themselves,
OF last, the antagonist of parties on both sides
of them, and the dcbateable ground of their
contests.
The interests of the Border Slave States are I'M
| questionably Northern, and Northern they must
be, if we are 10 divide into two. Any attempt
on their part to avert that destiny is futile, and
is only to condemn them to long struggle.
There is no real reason why there should be
civil war between the United States and the
South, and should one arise it can be only OF
very short duration, unless the Border States
complicate the question by separate secession.
Then will arise conflict within their own lin
its between The Northern and Southern interests
the interests of Slavery and Freedom-which
Will inevitably involve the whole country. When
such civil war as this arises among US, 1t VIII
be complicated by one still more difficult to man
ape-a seryile war; Both undoubtedly are inev-
liable after due apse of time in any purely slave
holding government an this continent. Where they
are prevented at all it win be by the Free State
| clement within the same Coniederacy. II the
! Border States sacrifice now this redeemns ele-
ment their destiny will be very soon ace 1mpshed,
because the antagonisms necessary to It's accom-
plisbment are already vigorous aud well organized
within their limits But as on integral part OF
a Free Coniederacy these antagOnisms are 5ubdued
and kept in check, and that result Is worked out
by natural laws and careful treatment which,
in the other case, comes through speedy violence.
There are, it is to be hoped, quiet, conservative,
and reasonable people enough in those States to
understand this, aud to see that disaster must
inevitably Oyerwhelm them if any such move
ment shall be for little while-as it could only
be for o little while-successful.
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