The Van Buren press., 1861-04-10

IAHLEQUAH, Z. N, March Both, 1861.
To EDITOR OF THB VAN BUREN PREss-
SIR Now that the tumult of secession,
State elections, conventions, etc., has some
what subsided, both combatants and nom
combatants can begin to look about them,
and imperfectly scan the national citadel,
and catch glimpse. dimly, of its presen,
aspect, and compare it with that which it.
notle proportions presented before the con.
flict. WHIST object first strikes the eye o.
the beholder ? 1t is the proud flag of on,
country. still i5cting gracefully in the
breeze. over the ramparts which have beer
SO rudely assaulted but we look again
we behold terrible breach in the southern
angle of the walls, the foundation of which
were laid by the hands of Washington,
himself aided by the counsel of Adams,
Henry, Hancock, Pickens, Franklin with
his lightning. which now darts, in prescri-
bed lines over the civilized world and a
matchles host of others, cemented together
by the warm, rich blood of thousands oi
his countrymen. Seven large openings CO.
alescing with each other, are seen constitu-
ting . vast breach which will require much
time and patriotic labor in its reconstruc.
tion but, alas it is much to be feared
that the requisite unanimity and concord
between the overseers and workmen, fol
filling it up-replacing the noble blocks
which have been torn away, will not pre-.
vail.
The new President. although the crea.
ton of a section, deserves credit for ende.-
voring to keep the flag flying; and Presi-
dent Davis. Ill his inaugural. unlike a pct.
ty politician or qubbling pettifogger, strives
not to tear it down, but nobly acknowledp
es its presence. and will do right, for he
has fought beneath its folds. and, no doubt.
felt patriotic thrill on perceiving it float
ing proudly over the fields of Buena Vista
and other battle plains.
Next to the septal-angled breach what do
we see? Dropping the figurative style, we
discern eight members Of the glorious Union
cleaving to the government of their fore
fathers, the msgni6cent republic, the hope
OF the world. andsd sdisregarding northern fa-
naticism, bigotry, on the one hand, and the
fiery Indignation of the South on the other.
1he great question now is, how long will
the remaining slave States maintain their
present position I? Are there any leading
men of the free States SO blind as to SUD.
pose for moment that they will hold on
under all circumstances If there are
their minds should be speedily disabused.
Let the remaining States be met as they
deserve to be, by the free States. But it
Is much to be feared that " higher law I"
counsels will prevail, and that consequently
. final disruption will take place, and new
combinations be effected.
1t is plain to the most casual observer,
that practical denial by statutory enact
ments Of the right of property in slaves
can no longer be maintained, and at the
Same time the Union preserved. There must
% relinquishmeit of one or the other.
Let northern statesmen and northern vo.
ters, who desire perpetuity of the Union.
ana return of the seven States which have
dissPpeared from the azure field of our flag,
look about them. 1t is their time to labor
nov. Southern union men have been la
boring long and steadily. Let all who love
the glory, honor and liberty of their conn
Try. fall into ranks, not to tear down, but
to build up.
But the efforts Of patriots and phiian-
thropists are not needed now to build up or
but to avert the horrors Of CIV
Il w:r. Let not the young men of the South
o. OF any other region. be led by imprud-
emit writer's. such - ereWhile declared in .
iattle Rock paper. thas "visions of militia
~ glory were seizing upon the minds of the