New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-24
THE LATEST FORM OF TREASON.

THE LATEST FORM OF TREASON.
There is division of opinion in the minds
of many persons equally loyal and equally hon.
est, as to the best method of suppressing the
Southern rebellion. One class, assuming Slav-
cry to be its root, propose radical measures,
and would strike at the effect through its
cause, both as matter of present e1pediency
and of future safety. Another would adopt a
more moderate course. and. not accepting the
theory that our National calamity has its
source and impulse in Slavery, propose simply
to suppress rebellion and restore the relations
which existed between the two sections of the
Union before its outbreak. And there is still
third class, who agree with the first that
Slavery is the chief cause of all our troubles,
stain upon our National character and drag
upon our National prosperity, but who, at the
same time. do not think it wise nor just to over
ride the convictions Of those who do not agree
with them, but who are nevertheless ready to
do all in their power to Subdue and punish
the rebels. This difference of opinion, how
ever, SO lar Us IL cAtohuo w Poio"n' AO""'
honest in purpose and loyal at heart, is very
rarely asserted with warmth or violence;
for all feel that our paramount duty is the
suppression of rebellion, whether the measures
resorted to are the wisest or not. Some
believe that the system of Slavery has received
its death.blow from its own hand, and would
leave the question to be decided by events;
some hope it, and wish, at any rate, to
make it certain; others neither hope nor
believe it, but whether it has has not are, there
fore, none the less earnest in their deteStstion
of treason and their determination not to toll
crate it. So far, we are united North, agree
ing 10 differ as to the relation Of Slavery to
the rebellion, but agreeing absolutely as TO
what must be done with rebels, let what will
happen 10 property in slaves. Our first duty
is TO the Constitution and the Union, aud
these are to be preserved, as we value them
above oil things else. All true lovers OF their
country stand shoulder 10 shoulder on this
platform, and neither inquire of, nor care for,
their former differences. The conduct Of the
war that with them is worthy of the chieiest
consideration is, that above all things, and IN
spite of all things, national rebellion, like
municipal riot, shall be put down at oil baz-
ards by tho strong arm OF the law.
Those who thus think and feel, though diff
fering on subsidiary questions, are the great
bulk Of the Northern people. But there are
exceptions. Here and there among individuals,
and among journals, there are exceptions max
ing class by themselves, and to be known
BY unmistakable indications. Hitherto, In past
years, they have distinguished themselves as
the warm eulogists and defenders OF chattel
Slavery as an institution in accordance with
the will of God, and eminently fitted TO human
wants. They have bitterly opposed the Re-
publican party ever since ITS formation, be-
cause that party did not agree with them on
the abstract question, and objected to prefer
erence being given to the system OF Slavery
over that of Free Labor in territory as yet
free from it. From the beginning of the re-
bellion, in the secession of South Carolina, to
lis elimination in the fall Of Sumter, they gave
TO the rebels and traitors their most hearty
sympathy, justified their appeal to arms coun-
seled first compromise, then submission, and
finally Disunion, because they desired the gu
premacy Of the slaveboldiDg class and depre-
Gated the defeat Of their policy to subject the
whole Union to their despOtic rule. 1t was
only when, after the 10Th of April, pub
lie opinion at tine North, aroused, at length,
TO the magnitude of the crisis, and to the pur-
,,-ho laI
rated civil war, either that they might rule
the Union or ruin t-when this public opinion
OF the North would no longer tolerate such fos-
tering OF treason, such open and public render
ing of aid to traitors on the part Of such indl-
yduaIs and journals, that it became absolutely
necessary that they should change their policy,
They changed their policy, but not their
purpose. Fears for their personal safety COM
PEELED them to forego the open defense Of
treason or open opposition to the course of the
Government in its vigorous measures for the
suppression of the rebellion. The problem was,
how TO aid the rebels without, at the same
time, subjectiDg themselves to the righteous IN
dienation of all offended country. They dare
not, as they had done before, justify insurrec'
ton upon any presumed Northern Infringement
If Southern rights; they dare not as they had
done before, defend the right Of the State to
secede from the Union; they could no longer
venture to raise an cutlery against the bugbear
Of coercion;" and no alternative therefore
was left them but to drift, for a season, with
the impetuous and irresistible current, with
seeming GOOD will. But this was to do violence