The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-04-30


An epidemic OF lawle~ness prevails through
out the length and breadth of the land. It's
rampant in many of the slaveholding States,
and even in the more loyal portions OF the
Union the public mind has been partially de-
moIaiized by the teachings of a portion OF tie
republican press, which recently echoed the
sentiment in George Laws letter to the
President, that "the people may take into
their own hands," to remedy just or unj ust
causes Of complaint against the general gov
eminent. The gallant regiments which are
daily leaving our metropolis, to fight in tue
cause OF law, order, and obedience to properly
constituted authority, would have done better
to remain at home, if the example set by rebels
in the Gulf States had continued 10 be emu
lated here. Thank God, although the journals
and individuals who would fam inoculate
our people with treason bubble, fame,
and astound the community BY their noisy,
in consistent effervesceDce, they represent
but a small portion Of popular sentiment.
They commeut upon the passing events of
the day, as though the stern realities Of life,
were scene in melodrams; nor do
laying cities ia ashes, and oysrtIrn-
log the administr alton that the tens Of
thousands Of troops which are ukgra ing with
cannon, bay onets and every implement Of death,
to the Southern borders, are goiag there TO pre-
serve and not to destroy TO build mp and not
to tear down. 10 punish but not to aveoge in
a word to save the Union and rescue It from
ALL.
into an nextricable abyss of misery.
The people of the Northern States, are unit
They are actuated by one thought, one seati-
ment, one soul-the solemn resolve that, what
ever the cost may be, the integrity and unity OF
this great republic, for all future tine, shall
evolve out OF the present political chaos. Ii is
safe to say that. one month ago, tiVe-sixhs of
the citizens of the Northern States, were ready
to make any sacrifice for the sake of peace
Whether in the shape Of the Critteoden amend
ments to the constitution. national conven
ton, or an indefinite suspension of existing
issues, they would, if appealed to, have ex-
hausted themselves in efforts of concession and
Cancellation. They had right to believe that
the s]aveholding States would be softened and
attracted by such generosity and maguaui-
nifty. Apparently responsible assurances
| were not wanting, from Virginia, Mary
land, and the border States, that the
| conservative feeling here should be responded
to, and that the members of the confederacy
| which had not withdrawn from the Union
would increasingly labor for its reconstruction.
Such the state of things up to the 18th instant
The thunders Of dozen batteries, manned by
seven thousand men, against handful of half
starved soldiers in Fort Sumter, awakened the
North to the conviction that they had been
cruelty deceived, and that self respect as well
as sound policy demanded on instant resort to
arms. The fires of Vesuvius never burst with
greater suddenness from its crater, than did the
war spirit, from the, previously inert and pas
sive surface, in this city and elsewhere in the
| free States. Past political differences were ig.
nored, and every true hearted citizen adopted
| for his motto,-'The Union, it must and shall
be preserved" by the only means now left for
| its preservation. ....
Nevertheless, so purely patriotic, conserva-
tive and constitutional is the spirit which per.
vades the vast majority of loyal minds in the
| Northern States-so hostile is it to the dema-
goguical assumptions Of the incendiary press Of
this city-that were Jefferson Davis himself
to issue proclamation, demanding the
| reconstruction Of the Union upon q
just and secure basis; proposing to
leave sectional issues to the decision Of a
national convention and promising obedience
to the laws, in the meanwhile a general out
burst of enthusiastic rejoicing would ensue and
past dissensions would be drowned in mutual
congratulations, upon the restoration Of the
republic to its past grandeur and greatness
| A breathing spell has just been attained from
the intense anxiety and excitement Of the past
two weeks. Washington city appears to be no
longer in danger. The opportunity is a favo-
rable one, for good citizens to renew the
determination that the war which has begun
shall not cease, until the United States shall
have been restored to its wonted integrity
but, at the same time, to appreciate that this is
the sole and only object we are fighting for.
\ .---------.---~--------r-
THE ENTIRE NORM IN AoffoS-History
rarely If ever presented such sublime mani
festation of patriotic devotion and military
ardor as is displayed in the Northern States at
this day. With one common impulse all classes
Of the people, without regard to political
opinion, creed or nativity, are responding to
the country's call, and falling into the ranks of
| the volunteers
| In great cities like New York of course mill
| tary enthusiasm concentrates and intensiGes;
but it is by no means confined to large commu-
mites. Every little town and village all over
the North has its band of heroes, going forth
to battle for the government and the flag Of the
republic. From one little village in Ohio the
other day, with total population Of sixteen
hundred, four hundred soldiers turned out.
| This must have been nearly half the male adult