The Placer herald., 1861-05-04
The National Crisis. No. 4.

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real Union loving men, but now all is gloom,
and despair holds sway. The existence Of
the National Convention of Commissioners,
the tone of speeches made by leading Repub-
can Senators, the policy given forth by the
Administration of Mr.. Lincoln, regarding
the evacuation of Sumpter, Pickens, and
other points occupied by Federal troops in
the Confederate States, at one time shook
the faith of the writer in his previous con-
vctions and inspired him with hope that all
would in time be well. We have seen the
Convention adjourn without etfecting any
thing towards reconciliation. Congress
we know passed an amendment to the Con-
slitu,on prohibiting the political power of
the nation from ever interfering directly
with slavery in the States. This was no
concession by the dominant party, for no
one contends that any such power exists,
and to make parade of prohibiting acts,
which there is do earthly show of authority
for, is merely trifing. 1t is much like an
insult to those border States who have been
so earnest in their exertions to save the coun-
! try. Instead of evacuaing Fort Sumpter 1t
was attempted to reinforce and provision 1t.
Instead of Withdrawing the Federal forces
from Pcliins and other points in the South,
the fleet and the body Of the army has been
sent there Collision has taken place, blood
has been shed, aud the passions of the sec
tions are at the fighting point Instead of
restoring harmony other States are seeding
The President calls in vain upon Missouri,
kentucky, Virginia, Maryland and Tennessee
for troops, because they see his insnceriv,
and that the war is made in truth to sustain
and carry out the dogmas Of the Chicago
platform.
1t is BY that chart Mr.. Lincoln is to be
governed and from which his Cabinet whist
it has power will not swerver; to the support
of which position ali men irrespective of
party, in the United States, are called, under
the specious cry of Unon-under the appeal
of saving from insult, our national flag
Let no man make mistake on this point.
Not Republican State or an individual Re
publican of prominent POSITION has ever re-
ceeded one jot or tittle from The position
taken at Chicago-it has been talked around,
but never directly at.
When Mr. Lincoln came into Office, five
border slave States whose very est interests
were involved in maintaining peace and the
Union, were supplicang the North for
terms upon which they might with dignity
remain in the Union. If Union had been
more desirable than party, concessions woul'!
have been made. This wonld have attached
those States most Loyalty to the Administra
ton, and ulimately = when the people of the
seeded States became previously hurhened
with the increased taxation resulting from
the sustaining separate government, they
would have forced those S,ales back into the
Union. This was the policy tlIat an enIarg
ed patriotism suggested, that owe Of the
whole country made necessary true
Union men everywhere sancti0 ned With
those stubborn fanatics such a course found
no favor, berause it involved a partial aban
Gonment Of the pledge they had entered
into at Chicago. They must test the fact
'have we government" they must "enforce
the laws protect public property, collect
tie revenues, &c. Our Government, like
Sumpter. is strongest seaward: AS against
foreign powers it is all powerful, but as be-
tween ourselves, it was not intended to be
so strong as at any time to be made the
iron-rule Of despotism. 1t was framed by
the gratuit>us consent Of the people, and it
rests upon that will and consent for all its
strength. The walls and armament of
Sumpter, facing Charleston, were weak and
light because it WAS not built to overawe
that city, but to protect it against a foreign
foe; and this is an illustration Of the powers
of our government. 1t is only effi.ient
through the consent of the governed-ii
was made for their protection and not for
their coercion, beyond the ordinary exercise
Of police This is no defect in it, 1t was so
designed. The trainers Of our Constitution
declare its organization to be Gin order to
form more perfect Union, establish Justice
insure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defence, promote the general well
fare" &c.
This idea has been ignored by the Admi
nistration-it is not found in the Chicago
patform-therefore Sumpter has fallen, and
dismemberment of the confederation, of
weekly occurrence.
There is no secession, says Lincoln, be
cause there is no law for ii. George the III
said the same thing when the inde endence
Of the colonies was declared. "Disperse,
We rebels" said Major Pitcairn, at Concord,
"thrcw down your arms, and disperse"-
Lincoln says command persons composing
the aforesaid combinations ii. e. Southern
Confederate to disperse within twenty days
from date" Whether there is law or not for
the secession of those States, the fact exists,
and no one can exaggerate the folly Of clos
ing the senses against tie truth, and not
acting upon it. Mr. Lnooln fully compre
hends all this, and i. is palpable that he and
his party do not desire union with the Slave
States, or else practicable common sense
course would be adopted TO advance that
object. They have the cunning to know