New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-02
CAssIUs N. CLAY.

Mr.. Cassius NJ. Clay, in reply to our remarks
! upon his recent compromising speech at Washing
| ton, has addressed US a letter, in which, after
alleging that the seeding States have been might
lily encouraged in their rebellion by THE TRIBUNE,
he says:
"Ie that you doing more encourage aud The
dissolution the Union than all the Cotton States together that
YOU were more than compromiser and nigh cowardy
submission to rebels and traitors" Yet did not denounce
fahless to the common yet felt duty 10 write
two letters my Republican friends In the North, TO mPlOe
them follow your lead but stand by the Union the Con
stution and the laws Now gentlemen whenyery In
consequence of your false moveshe battle has partially
against and am attempting gather together
shattered columns strengthen for the final this greatest
and last Of the struggles between Freedom and VI think
that just dHdence your inabty magnaumou.
remembrance Of my past services and generous trust in my
humble leadership, should induce you to be silent"
With all due respect to Dir. Clay, We are COM
PEELED TO acknowledge that we cannot appreciate
either the logic or the mOdesty of these remarks.
1t is true that at the beginning of the Secession
movement we expressed wish that the disaaect-
ed States might be allowed to separate them.
selves from the rest of the Union, if in their
sober and matured judgment they were satisfied
that such a step was essential to their welfare,
provided always that the separation were effected
peaceably and legally and with q just regard to
the rights and interests of the United States.
That we no longer advocate asquiescence in the
demands of the seeding States is because the ma
ture and tone OF these demands have altogether
changed Instead of asking for a peaceable and
legal separation, the seeding States, without
provOcation, without paliation, in the face of the
most extraordinary forbearance on the part Of
the Government and people of the United States
have resorted to violence; have taken arms
against the Government; have made open
war upon the United States, and now
stand defiantly in the attitude of traitors aud
rebels. Under this change of circumstances
it seems TO us that decent regard for the dig
nifty the rights, and the interests of the country,
maintain the Union, the Constitution, AID the
Laws, and to insist that the authority of the
Government shall be respected wherever il has
rightful jurisdiction. Ii is not only useless it is
pernicious, it is degrading and demoraizing
TO parley with rebels with arms in their hands
and to make concessions and compromises under
and dctaton. Let those conccde let
those submit who have committed treason, who |
have seized the forts and arsenals, and fred |
on the flag of the United States The Free |
States have done none Of these things. They |
have perpctrated no 'optages, violated no
avs, broke no constitutional obligations. With |
federation, prudence and moderation, they have
wisely taken the position that Slavery must not
be extended into the Territories. After a full |
md free Discussion, the people have emphatically