The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-06

L
cesson crisis, which has begun with the folly
| of South Carolina is destined, If il is not pro-
| perly met, to affect the city of New York more
seriously than any other event that has occurred
| for the last two centuries; and yet there never
was greater apathy manifested by all classes,
and especially by the politicians than upon
| this moment0us question.
Merchants, bankers, brokers and business
men generally appear to be oblivious of the
age in which they are living, and entirely I'M
conscious Of the dangers which oyershadow the
future. They are buying and selling on the
brink of volcano. The politicians are alb
sorbcd in mere local squabbles, as heretofore,
just as if the country, Of which this metropolis
is the great heart and centre, was not UNDER
going the throes of revolution, which
threatens to dcsolate it from border to border.
In Tammany Hall and the other political
gathering places they are quarrelling about
who shall represent this or that grogshop ward,
and who shall get the largest share of the
plumber
And as to the Corporation they have
spoken at last, and taken the right ground
in this eycntful crisis, which is going to re-
duce property Of every kind in this city to
one-haf its value. Ii ever there was time
when the Corporation Of the commercial me-
tropolis of the country should rise above mere
personal and party considerations, and, mani
Testing national pride and dignity worthy Of
their position. do something to stay the threat
cning disaster, it is now. The resolutions
adopted by both Boards, on Friday evening,
must meet the appreciation Of every class and
every party in the city, and We are glad to
find that Alderman Boole-who introduced
them-though he may be man Of no cduca-
ton, has at least some sagacity and common
sense; but as for Alderman Brady. the only
one who opposed them. we always thought that
he had some acuteness, though no education:
but now we see that he has neither education
nor sense, nor any other qualification for his
position.
The almost unanimous adoption Of these
resolutions, appealing to the forbcarance Of the
South, approving Of the course Of the President
of the United States, and calling upon the Legs
lature to conyoke State Convention. shows
at least that the Corporation realize the
condition of the times, and arc able and will
ing TO take their part in difficulty which
seems TO have befogged and paralyzed the
whole nation? If the consequences which
now seem imminent should accrue. every
man. woman and child in this vast city, over
which the Corporation exercise legislative
authority, will suffer grievously, TO he extent
at least Of half their property and half their
income, while thousands Of them will be re-
duced to absolute beggary and want. In such
a state Of things is il not marvellous to be-
hold the politicians, and the merchants,
doing nothing, raising no voice, making no
manifestation Of interest in the events which
are rapidly drifting the country TO civil war
and destruction?
Every day the Southern States arc perfec,ing
their arrangements for the assembling Of con-
stituent conventions which will most certainly
agree upon such amendments to the constitu-
| ton as will compel the Northern States either
| to adopt them and reconstruct the confcdcracy
| or to bring about an issue which in six months
| from now will dissolve the confederacy alto
gcthcr. and divide the republic into two sec.
| tons. What course should the people Of New
York pursue in anticipation Of such result!
A public meeting Of the merchants, bankers
and people Of all classes should he called at
once, whereby an opportunity would be afforded
to express popular sentiment upon the state Of
the country; and this meeting should sustain
the resolutions Of the Corporation, and call
upon the Legislature TO enact measure pro-
viding for the election Of delegates to a con-
sttucnt convention Of the State, which would
be able TO treat with the Southern State con
ventions, receive their proposals, and agree to
some measures Of compromise and safety.
This Is the way the question is going to be
settled eventually. Congress is evidently not
| fl for the emergency. II must be settled be-
tween the people of the North and the people
! Of the South, In constituent conventions assem-
| bled. and We are proud to see that New York
has taken some step in this direction.