New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-20

The remarks Of Mr.. Russell, well known es
the Crimean correspondent Of The London Times,
made at the Artor House dinner on Monday
evening. afford a clear Illustration Of the mis-
taken idea prevailing in England concerning the
nature of the present American national difficult
ties.
Ii should be borne in mind that a journalist
has better OPT ortuntes of gaining correct notions
of the world affairs than most other men, and
that journalist who, like Mr.. Russell, has had
large experience in dealing with great questions,
must be supposed to be in advance Of most Of
his readers, the public. Therefore, when We
find fundan entail error in the political diagnosis
of such jou ualist, we can but be confirmed in
the opinion we have before had, that the English
people do not Justly comprehend the character Of
the struggle now going on in this country.
Mr.. Russell speaks of " the opposition Of the
" two great parties" here, as producing our
troubles and hindering the cause Of progress
evidently referring to political parties; ne speaks
of the "counter voice from America which
will say TO those abroad who labor for free SUI
frage that their arguments are false, and that
"t the great experiment OF selfgoyernment has
I" reached its end in dissolution, smoke and
ashes" He Gays again, 81 cannot believe
" that you are about to cast to the winds and
whistle down, q prey to fortune, the great
" national heritage that has been bequeathed TO
"you."
His ruling idea is, and il is an idea which
has found repeated expression, that free po-
hlical Institutions a republican form of govern
uent, the application of democratic principles to
the direction of nation, are now on their trial
in the court of last appeal; that by the decision
of this year these great matters viii forever be
settled. so far as America is concerned; and
that. in fine, the single question at this time to
be answered is this; Is republicanism failure
But the conflict now going on cannot DO SO
stated with truth The two great armies in the
field are not political parties, and there has never
been question concerning our nationsl oilairs,
since the century opened, with which political
parties, as such, have had less to do. The con-
Hct is simply between Freedom and Slavery;
the latter is the aggresSor. the former is on the
defensive.
Nor does the contest arise from the weakness
or foreshadow the failure of republican institu-
tons. Had republican institutions and principles
been allowed TO spread over the whole of our
country aud to have free course everywhere, the
conflict would not now have arisen. We at the
North live and flourish under republican insti-
tutiuns, but at the line which separates US from
Slavery they die, or, ut best hive Oily partial
and restricted life. The army of Slavery IN she
present conflict is fighting TO prevent the spread
of republican institutions which, in On unbrohen'
never.wavering phalaDx. preserve their 'front.' anu
show no symptom Of treachery, or WEAKNESS OF
decay. The North lives under democracy 'oc
South under the worst form Of an olgarchy-and
the conflict ia not civil war among the mein'
beers of republic, but an assault upon the united
consistent fabric by an enemy, every movement
of whoss nature is antagonistlc incompatioio WIZ
il. Repubiicanisrn, democracy in IFS best sense,
WAS never stronger more vigorous, moro noPe'ui
than now; and the very severity oil the contest
uuop which we arc Just entering gives enceurag
ing proof of the vigor and convincing promise VI
the Immortality Of the great principle Of Freedom
which find, expression in American institutions
The struggle which, ninety years ago. resulted 10
our Independence was the effort OF Freedom 10
d.velou itself in the form Of republican govern
ment the struggle now going on is the ehor1 o.
this same principle Of Freedom to maintain itseil
| 10 the same form. With Just as much truth o.
4 ~ rerB rse.1i.a fL0 ip1 t.y -
7. s.HH. rH..r.r9N N....'...I I.