New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-23
uaHsCALCULATfONs.


has been mistaken in all it's calculations and
expectations with regard to the present civil
war. Its specifications are as follows:
/. THE TRIBUNE did not believe there would
be any rebellion, and ridiculed union'SaY-
"mg;"
II. THE TRIBUNE long held the rebellion to
be essentially weak, and insisted that il might
and should be promptly put down;
! III. THE TRIBUNE steadily represented
Slavery as an element of weakness to the
South, but now regards it as one Of positive
and formidable strength;
". THE TRIBUNE opposed the policy of
Z" delay and preparation that preceded the
battle of Bull Run.
On all these points, " the Government it
is asserted, has been at variance with The
TRIBUNE, and has therefore been in the right.
We propose to meet these allegations PIumply
seriotim:
|. We certainly did believe that q majority
of the white inhabitants of the Slave States, had
too much loyalty, patriotism, intelligence and
good sense, to engage in rebellion and treason
because they had lost an election, which the
leading conspiratOrs among Themselves notori-
ously plotted and tried TO lose. If we, in this
Judgment, overrated that loyalty, patriotism and
good sense, we humbly ask pardon. But we
insist to-day that we did not overrate t-that
the People of the South never did originate nor
deliberately sanction this atrocious rebellion
that, having seen Yancey, Slidell, Rhett, & Co.
cOOly plan and execute the division and
prostration of the Democratic party on purpose
to let Mr.. Lincoln be elected, so as to afford q
pretext for treason, the Southern People meant
to hold on TO the Union and let the traitors
follow their own road to ruin. In evil |
dence that we were correct in this judgment, /.
we cite the votes Of the People of the Slave
States, taken together, on the question Of Sc
cessiOn or No Secession, 10 the elections OF
last Winter. That majority was finally de-
ceived into ocquiescence in rebellion, by q
steady stream Of Geographic lying, and the
purchase over TO the cause Of Secession Of GER |
tain leading presses, impelled by Secret So
/ ciety Of desperate traitors, we admit; but the
whole truth, when ascertained and established, /
will prove that our persistent incredibly as to
/ the prevalence of DisuniOnism OF the South was
well founded and just.
I But whatever strength Dsunionism gradually
acquired al the South was largely swelled by
that craven spirit at the North which led our
people to continually consider, not what was
Just, right and manly, but what the South
would approve, require or endure-the spirit
Oh ~ mn
abnegation OF duty and principle under pro-
fession Of anxiety for the preservation OF the
Union. {" Have we of the North not at least
as good right to oppose the Extension OF
Slavery as the South has to support it ~
we asked. If you do the South viii dis
Z" solve the Union, was the stereOtyped answer
often uttered by prominent and influential men.
This appeal from the conscience to the cow
ardice Of the Free States was in effect an incite-
ment of the South to the evil course it predicted
and thus invoked the calamity it seemed to de-
precate. We rejoice in the consciousness that
TIE TRIBUNE steadily resisted and secuted all
such appeals to the baser instincts Of American
Freemen.
III. 1t was and is our decided conviction
that prompt and hearty yigor in dealing with
the rebellion in ts infancy would have proved
it's inherent weakness and lack Of support in
any real feeling Of grievance at the South.
How this is disprOyed by the experience Of the
past ten months, we do not understand. Ger
tainly. Government that allows itself TO be
kicked out Of is own forts, custom-houses, ar
sennls, armores navy-yards, sub-treasuries,
hospitals, &c, without even lifting hand in its
own defense, pro9es its own impotence or treason;
but how does that establish the strength
or proves of its enemies Had President
! Buchanan really tried to stop the early pro-
+ gress Of this rebellion, and put forth all the
power which the Constitution placed within his
reach TO crush it, and been bafed, we might
|. feel that there was some force in the deduc-
ton OF the strength Of the treason from its
success; az the facts are, we see none.
Hudibras long ago demonstrated that there
. would he no fighting if one side would only con-
Gent to receive blows without returning them.
| towards in time Of danger habitually flock to
} what seems the stronger side-that is, the side
eyncing most vigor and determination; and
when the late President stood paralyzed and i'm
! potent, with the majority Of bis Cabinet play
ing openly into the hand, Of the rebellion, and
the Secretary Of War rObbing the Northern
arinories and arsenals for lite frtherance,
while the Secretary of the Treasury allowed
ICustOm-HOuses and Sub-Treasures to be
, seized by tue rebels without eaea remoa-