Smyrna times., 1861-03-28
Will There be Civil War.


Under this head the Philadelphia Ledger
presents some forciUle arguments why so dire
iul an event is not likely to occur 1t believes
that every day which passes over our heads
without collision now lessons considerably
the probability of one ever taking place. The
secessionists have been completely misinformed
as 10 The condition OF the North. They expec-
led that party spirit would have carried men
into rebellion, and that the suffering would
have been laueh more intense than it has
proved, and provocative of Instruction. On the
contrary they find that al parties at the North
and West are disposed 10 make up sincere
and honest support to the present Government,
not because all approve of every movement,
but for the good of the country. The mad eff.
forts of the secsssionists have done more to
strengthen the cause Of Mr.. Lincoln than any
OF his personal merits. Every day the whole
West and North are becoming more and more
convinced that there can be but one party in
the North-that which is for the preservation
of tho Union. How this can best be done had
better be left open to discussion; at any rate
men will differ widely enough upon it, but the
distinction between Democrat and Republican
has been broken down, not BY any compromise
offered by the one and accepted by the other,
but simply and purely by the violence of the
seeesdlonists, the agencies they have employ
ed, and the object of their movement, the
breaking up of the Government, if they could,
for the sake of rule and power.
II ia evident now that Missouri is safe for
the Union, and this is the first Southern State
that has at all showed her hand since Lncoln's
message. The fact is that the parts of the
message most overlooked by the North are Just
those parts which are and will be most studied
throughout the Sonth, i. e. those which point
out the evils that must result from disunicn to
the South, even if it were successfully accom-.
PIlshed. Men are beginning in that quarter
to reflect that disunion would settle nothing,
but open greater division and confusion in the
South. The basis OF representation would be
as great bone of contention between South
Carolina and Tennessee, if she were to secede,
as any quarrel South Carolina has ever had
with Massachusetts
The arguments of the message in favor OF
taking time will have their good effect. All
the precipltated action of the secession States
did not really express the sober sentiments of
the people Of the South, but only of the wire
Pullers. 1t is this sober second thought of the
people which has now to be appealed to, and
time, with conciiatory course, may produce
| a change of sentiments in favor of the Union as
it has existed for three-quarters of century.
Ii MIR. Lincoln acts cautiously and discreetly,
he may retire from his present position at the
end of fOur years with the country in a better
condition politically, ills prospects for the flu.
ture brighter. and the government more low.
ally established in the popular heart, than
could seem possible from any view of affairs al
the beginning of bis career. course Of pre-.
cipitancy, or of force, without regard to cir.
cumstances, might establish the powes of the
government. but it could net recommend its
justice or its wisdom. Il would reconcile no.
thing, soften no asperities' and the very same
questions would necessarily come upon Us
again, unless the cause of them were rooted
out OF the political and social system of the
land, which, at the present time, does no.
seem possible. and which would probably cause
greater mischiefs lhan any which we now ex
perience.