Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-04-04
w4saiNGToY CORRESPONDENCE.

WASHINGTON Correspondence.
WAsH1xsTON, D. O., April l, 1861.
Il IS 70 be hoped that the people Of the
country do not Aattsr shemsslves that ths diff
aeulties which havs % slarmingiy surrOund-
ed US for the past few months are at an end.
Il is quite true that specious calm exists
bat Il is the calm of exhaustioni the worn
ont condition Of the public mind which al
ways succeeds a violent excitement. Our
dangers are greater and more intricate to-day
than they have yet beeni where all is to end,
Heaven alone knows.
The truth Is, and we nay as vel look the
fact fully and manfully in the face, the virtue
OF the people is demoralizedi the disintegra-
ton Of the Union has gone too far not to be
attended with the legitimate results of a
weakened patriotism and general dissatis-
faction with the state Of our rational politics.
While we all believe in the sincere desire OF
tbe Administration to restore the frAternsl
relations OF the contending sections, we must
confess that its ability to do 50 grows weaker
as the complications which environ us be-
come greater. We may look, as firmly and
sorrowfully believe, for a more desperate con-
dition Of public affairs three months heace
than the most hopeless of US are disposed to
apprehend. The issue will be forced upon us
by traitors North and South; let US meet it
bravely and reliantly when it comes-trust-
ing in the Ultimate triumph Of Right over
Wrong.
But nOuv is no time to talk of compromise
and concession. ComI rOmises have deluded
us III the past; they are the irresponsible
pledges of politicians, and can only undo us
in the future. Forty years ago we agreed to
a compromise with the South; seven years
ago it was destroyed thata " Great Principle
might be vindicated. The vindication of that
principle having. resulted in a dearly-bOught
triumph of Freedom, a new compromise is
demanded. But what assurance have we that
if granted it would not become the sport Of
an hour,-a miserable reed which should be
blasted and broken by the political storm of
tomorrow The Constitution itself seems
powerless to restrain US; surely we can place
no reliance in pledges made under excite
ment, no hope in compromises based upon
concessions to prOdigiOus wrong.
But even in the gloom which envelOps US
there are some rays of light. Many in'eIli-
gent and well informed persons here believe
that certain districts in Northern Alabama
and Georgia will have Representatives in the
next Congress Of the United States. Also
one of the districts in Louisiana. If such
should prove to be the iact we may reason
ably hope for a general clearing away of the
clouds which now lower upon our house.
The recent adEiees from the Old World
show that our troubles are producing their
fruit among the nations there. France and
England are fitting out fleets for American
waters; and the Spanish flag has been raised
over the people of St. Domingo. The "Mon-
roe Doctrine" is no longer the pride and
glory Of the Democracy nor Of the nation
So much for dissension among " Brethren"
While the Northern Democracy seem to be
desperately exercised about "Coereion" in
the Soutl, the South does not seem to recip-
rocate. Their preparations for shedding
4" fratefnal blood suffer no abatement. The
concentration of troops at Pickens and else
where shows determination to "coerce''
the United States. 1t is to be hoped shE.,t
they viii be satisfied with the experiment
when they get through with it You need
not be alarmed that the Government will fail
to protect its property wherever it is practi-
cable-even at the expense, it is to be hoped
Of a little "fraternap' blood.
The contest for the Marshalship in the
Northern District of Ohio seems to have mar
rowed down to Herrick Of Ravenna and Earl
Bill of TiGin, with the chances altogether in
favor of the former. 1t is very probable that
Mr.. HerricE will receive the appointment :
Northeastern Ohio thus far seems to bavs
been entirely neglected in the distribution o.
patronage.
VIM. &. Champion, Of Cleveland, mas been
appointed to a frst-class Isl, ,2OO clerkshiE
in the Department of the Interior.
rt. r ALLIFooTE.