, 1861-03-01
JEFFERSON.
WASHINGTON CRY, Jan. 81, 1861.

WASHINGTON CRY, Jan. 2l, 1861.
To the Editor Of the Pioneer and Democrat;
Since my last, events have occurred showing posi-.
lively the only chance Of preserving the Union Of
these States Is by reconstruction of the government
Delegates from the sovereign States must meet again
In Convention, as did our fathers in 1857. Congress
and the Federal Government perfectly powerless
II collision eau be avoided Reconstruction will be pos
sible. The Republican party must be overthrown in
the Free States and the control Of affairs pass into the
hands Of men who respect Southern rights, and will
exert every means to promote the old affection and
confidence between the sections Let this be done
and reconstruction will follow, II in the mean time
collision be avoided. This is the rub Collision
must be avoided, avoided by the North abandoning
the idea OF coercion and by the South refrainng from
acts Of aggression against the property and forces
the Federal Government. There Is not much fear now
Of IN attack upon Fort Sumter or Fort Pickcns, al
though both have been threatened.
The speech Of Mr.. seward. nine days since, was a
beautiful rhetorical effort and breathed admirable
spirit, but ii came too late Had he and his followers
enuncated such sentiments for the past few years. in
stead OF the "iTrepressbe conflict the country would
not have come to its present unhappy condition.
cordially assent to all his hOsannas in favor of the
Union, and do not think he has at all exaggerated
the terrible consequences Of dissolution. But hosan.
mas and evils 10 come will not prevent dissolution
Of themselves reconstruct the government. Guaran
tees must be given, establishing the fact that the
North has discarded the "irrepressible conflict and
has desisted from its avowed determination to place
its heel upon the slave power. The doctrine of alive
and let live must be mutually recognized. For one
II seems To me, Mr. Crittenden's resolutions form a
basis which should be satisfactory 10 all conservative
men. The Republicans however although greatly
shaken, and especially their leader Mr.. Seward have
not been equal to the occasion. Five States have
passed ordinances Of secession Their Senators and
Representatives have or will soon, withdraw from
Congress. Louisiana and Texas will soon follow
Next month they will organize provisional govern
ment II coercion be attempted every Southern State
will join them u abandoned, i is to be hoped that
the border slave States will remain, and will act as
mediator IN the great work of reconstruction or II
that prove abortye, exert their good Offices to make
the separation peaceabe and equitable one.
Mr. Corwin, chairman Of the select committee Of
thirtythree, addressed the House today ia speech
Of eloquenee, power and good temper It was listen.
ed TO with the most earnest attention. and was kindly
received. But It simply did not meet the case. Il
CLOSED over the ayowed purposes Of the Republican
leaders. It asserted they never did contemplate to do
what the record shows they had avowed they would
do The Republicans az party to catch votes have
not only catered to the abolition feeling but have stood
almost on pure abolition ground The party had be.
come so intamed with the Hntislavery crusade that
very few through the leugth and breadth Of the
North not only could not have been elected had they
spoken as Seward and Corwin speak, but they
could not have got the nomination of the Repub
lican party for the most inconsderabe Office Moder.
ate men Ike Eli Thayer OF Massachusetts, who voted
for the admission OF Oregon, repudiated by the
party, and Andrews the apologist and defender Of
John Brown, received its highest honors.
My hope now is that collision will not occur. That
immediate secession will cease with the Cotton States
That the border Slave States will hold neutral posi-
tOn, to propose terms and act medators and that
the incoming administration will abandon the idea of
coercion. Should the next State elections place the
governments Of the Free States in the hands of men
who will cooperate with the border Slave States in the
great work Of harmony aud restoration, then
structon may be hoped for on terms just TO ALL Tho
elections in Connecticut, Rhode Island aud New
Hampshire occur early in the spring. II the Repul-
cans decisiyey defeated conventions in these
States be called and commissioners be appointed TO
confer with the seeding and border Slave States The
same conventions may elect delegates to a general
convention. If other Fuee States will follow their ex-
ample may witness convention Of the States be-
fore the end Of the year.
Although but little can be expected from Congress.
there may be an earlier movement on the part Of Re
plbican Governors and Legislatures than now seems
probable. The Republicans Of Congress- through all
their stoid indifference and suen determination 10
enjoy the victory shaking in their boots They are
catching at straws They urge the Pacific Railroad as
measure Of peace and cOnciiiation. measure OBJ
yously having the contrary effect when we consider
tnat II Is imposing perspective tax upon the people
OF the United states for a measure in the opinion Of
the States who have seeded, entirely unwaranted BY
the Consultation. Il is saying we shall help to get
the seeding States. back by imposing upon them
tax not only without their assent but against their
deliberate Judgment Of the powers Of the general gov
ernment When men reason and act in this way they
are parayzed by the peril Of events to the extent Of
having neither Judgment to grasp them nor courage
TO direct them. Men in such a condition may Of a sud
den, yCld to the imperative necessity OF events and
settle like fash upon the only measure which can
avert war and tend 70 re-cOnstructon-Stlte couveu
tons and general convention Of all the States
The, House bill Is great outrage on the North and