New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-09
THE DISSOLUTION OF THE UNION.

and beauty, that never thoroughly know tue
Of thing until we have lost IL. The tendency of the
preeent age lice probably in the direction OF under
rating ne effect Of institutions on men, and regarding
national and failure more as the result OF race
temperament, and climate, than Of laws and customs
But Il l. impossible 20 consider the history Of the
United States since they emancipated themselves from
The control Of This country without finding at every
step reason 20 admire the extraordinary sageity with
wbich their Federal Constitution has been framed and
70 appreciate the paefse benefits which that Consti-
triton has conferred.
Ia the State Constitutions there Is but little to attract
particular attention. They show NJ ancient democracy
modified by the modern principle OF representation,
poity In which the will of the numerical majority rules
without check and without effort. In the Federal
Government however, the violence Of the Democratic
principle il controlled by the operation OF the Federal
clement and the Senate gives hrmness 70 the Legs-
hsare and wisdom 10 the Executive which mere De
mocracy could never supply. There IA no doubt that
ths States OF the Union are far better governed now
than they possibly be under any Constitution which
gives greater prominence TO the principle of State IN
dependence But this s commonly considered among
t least of ia advantages, BY the Federal COnstitu-
ton the United States made one OF the principal
Powers Of the world BY the Federal Constitution
they enjoy the advantage Of the ees Intercourse with
each other, without giving up either uniformity of
Customs the most complete power OF local Taxation
II they would know the value Of this advantage, let
sbem study the tariffs of the Australian Colonies and
ecDgTatuaie themselves their freedom from the alb
nudity into which these younger settlements have
ALLEN of long intercolonal Customs lines stretching
through uDinhabited Interior BY this Constitution,
the utopian dream Of an Amphctyonie Council decid-
ing questions between independent nations which older
countries most arrange by diplomacy or the sword.
Happy America, il she knew her own bessings-happy
II abe were more disposed 10 cling that which is her
real strength and glory, and less inclined TO vaun adj
yantages which she receives either as the gift of
Nature, or which, like her ultra-democraic insitu
sions, are rather evils than benefits
The hast accounts from the United States place the
position Of things in much serious light than be-
fore. We believe we should be correct IN saying that
as a ciass, American statesmen some openly and the
rest secretly, are opposed 10 the dissolution OF the
Union II Is an institution the advantages of winch
would be estimated exactly in proportion TO the knowl
edge of the critic. A statesman must in them the
solution Of fnnumerable difficulties the strength the
ornament. and the safety Of his country. Were the
matter them lea to the opinion of the statesmen OF
America, there would be no reason to doubt OF the
result But, unhappily, II has passed out OF the con
troll Of statesmen and the question OF Union or dig
union Is managed by vulgar demagognes and furious
bar-room politicians n
In England, statesman must follow public opinions
but In America, public opinion comes from lower
Iasa acts more speedily and more decidedly and IL
he's patient because less accustomed TO opposition
than in England. In the South, the object OF those
who are really in favor Of the Union, though they
not venture to say So has been TO interose delay for
holding General Convention Of the Slave States but
This yemeant overture las been set aside by the yio
lnce of excited multitude and the attempt 70 give
an OBJ ounty for the voice Of reason to be heard has
been frustrated. Failing this, the more moderate
members from the Southern States have been driven
10 show their desire for delay little more openly, by
urQug that 81 any rate there In advantage In meet
ing evils half way and that any movement agains the
Integrity Of the Union had better be deferred till
the accession Of Mr.. Lincoln to power on the 4th OF
March next But TO this IL is answered-not, we must
admit without considerable force, from the point OF
view of those who the argument-that, II dl:rup-
tiOn ]. to take place, i bad better happen while
tbe rens Of power have passed into the hands OF man
whose election the very cause or at least the pre-
text, Of disruption. Armed with This argument, the
IL. CT 1~f,- vii
hedlong speed No time is given for reflection or cal
euation and the object Is 10 commit some al least OF
che Southern States TO immediate action, before the
excitement and irritation generated BY the recent eec
non have had time to cool II is the belief Of the
snthors Of this reckless policy that they can succeed
IN irreirievably committing or two States, the
cooler and more reasonable States VIII have no cholce
has 20 follow in their wake. The South If at the
present moment not match for the North, and still
Lees wiz it be 20 if its numbers be reduced by any
amount OF detection.
which we often see vested In small knot Of persons
IN our own party diyisionshe power Of deciding the
fsue TO which both sides committed South Caro-
Ina and Georgia, for instance, can by their indepen-
ent action propose TO the other Southern States the
dilemma-we must not cay Of remaining IN the Union,
for from the moment that secession has been effected
and recognized the present Union is not 10 much dn
ihed dissolved, butOf choosing between two Con-
federaees, the in which they may play leading
part and which possesses similar institutions TO them
selves the other in which they will be certainly in
mtlOrty ana compelled 10 burfenuef IhOfe points
that In dispute between the South and the North
On the other hand, come Of the Republican leaders,
seeing the critical turn that affairs have suddenly
taken and the very decided and immediate action for
which several of the leading States of the South are
manifestly preparing Themselves, exhausng their
ingenuity in inventing schemes Of compromise aud con-
eession 70 the South 80 ample that, shodd they be
adopted, they would amount TO reeantation by the
North Of the policy TO which 1t stands committed and
complete surrender Of the rus Of their victory, in
order TO prevent a disruption. These overtures,
are told, have sgnally failed Of success with the Re-
publican party. II is sarcastically remarked, that
such plans may suit very well the views OF gen
klemen who have been actuated all along only
by wish TO obtain the spoils Of office, but
chat the Republican party Is not prepared,
Of obtaining power for it's leaders, and then TO abandon
&c soon az power is obtained The party is too much
IA earnest for its chiefs, and, while refuses 70 make
amy concession, 1t is extremely doubtful whether any
nepceasion II could make word now eonciiiste the
South. This movement is not made merely on senti
mental grounds The South have In their eye the ad
yantsgee which they would gain by an exe-aPtion
rom the system Of protection by which they have
Teen made to pay tribute 70 the North. They be-
neve that they win attract their own commerce TO
Their own ports, and every State already sees m
Inauguration its own capital the metropolis of q |
confodented Union, and divides In anticipation |
among its principal citizens the lions share of
Eederal revenue. In this conflict between the parts
and the whole, between private interest and public ad.
vantage, we cannot doubt for moment which ought |
20 prevails but Democracy in America Is little used to
check or control What Is great public mischief may
be- or mag be imagined 70 be, Considerable advantage
70 Individual No time 10 allowed for reelection, or
fr an appeal TO good and public spirit and L u
nite possible that she problem Of Democratic Repub-
- may be solved BY the overthrow in a few short |
ssys d Constitution which the greatest human wis
nary amount a folly se6shness and short shtedness
eeepe perfectly adequate 10 Destroy II =