New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-29
a CONVOCATION OF EX-PREsiDRNTs
ARBITRATION.

There is o rumOr aloat that our several
cx. Presidents-to wit, Martin Van Buren, John
TYLER Franklin Pierce, Millard Fillmore and
James Buchanan-are to be invited TO act AZ me-
distors between the Government OF the United
States and the traitors now resisting and endsavor-
inc 70 subyert its authority. AZ every ne OF
these five gentlemen opposed tie election oil Pres
ident Lincoln and are avowedly hostile b the
principle which triumphed in that election, We
consider this rather verse than Gov. Hicks's
proposal that Lord Lyons, the British Embas-
sador, should be called in TO act as arbiter be-
tween the Government and the rebels. Lord
LYONS would of course decline any such function,
even if Government bad not refused to cOaier II
ON him: bnt. though most unsuitable afbter,
il could not be urged that he had Dotoriousy pre-
indeed the case, as the ex-Prcsidents have done.
Mr.. Tyler is IN avowed Secessionist; Mr.. Bu-
chauan cannot take the right ground In the
matter in issue without passing severe Judgment
on his own Administration; while Messr'. Van
Buren,, Fillmore and Pierce, while they could nos
fail 70 roudemn the action OF the rebels and re-
oure them to desist from overt acts of treasoD,
yon.d be almost certain to balance this by re-
curing concessions and stipulations from the
Government which would dcmoralize the country
and contain the seeds Of half dozen rebellons
hereafter.
The only arbitration that can be accepted with
dignity or safety is that of the American Pco-
pie represented in Congress or IN Constitn-
.ional Convention. The rebels have appealed
frum Baots to Bullets; TIM loyslists have ac-
cepted their challenge. They have determined to
prove that We really have Constitution and
Government, and that our institutions are not
the mere breath OF n mob, but solid and self
sustaining. The loyal States and People are
ready 10 try the issue which the rebels have
made up, and 10 try it in the arena those rebels
have chossn. How reluctantly, how regretiully,
tho 10y alists took up tho gage oil battle 80 80,
80. .l-nwp by the Disunonis<, the e"niAo"
world has she"i '"" $40. ri. see how ss! s1
mined Ihe ohoni'N ai0 " II Sighting is what
the Dsunionists are after, there can be no better
time than the present aud all medistions and
suggestions Of accommodation and truce are
sheer impertiDencs; bat r they have taken the
sober second thought, and prefer a pesceable
s"iuhoh tbc WY VPcpi anu th'ic ~ ho nccu
of any Lord Lyons or beyy Of eI.Presidents 10
smoOtho it. Let them simply dsarm and obey
the Laws, submitting their grievances, such a.
they are, tO the arbitration of the American
People represented in Congress, or (if they
prefer it, in u National Convention. Why should
they not do 80! BY this time even they must
realize that the people have fully determined that
their Federal Government shall not be- subyertcd
nor the Union dissolved. Fighting will not ac-
compish their ends; and, if there is to be
peaceabe adjustment, where can they find
tribunal more dignifed, moro generous, more
competent than that which Is composed of the
whole American People