Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-04-02
Policy OF seward.

A few days ago we reprinted from the Louis
vile Courier letter signed "Kentuckan, in which
the writer developed the policy of SEWARD with
mastery hand, and probably with much more cor
rectness than many readers Of it would suspect
Theletter was prepared with great care and ability
and il is evident that he did not speak unadvisedy
with regard to the designs of the Government at
Washington. Ths great point, which he desired to
enforcs Is hat the trueISouthern Rights in the
Border States. by whatever party name they may
call themselves, cannot be too much on their guard
against accepting sincere the professions of pa
cfc po icy that are sometimes made by SEINE of the
adherents of the Administration 1t is no evidence
of pacific intentions that Fort Sumter il to be
abandoned, from military necessity. Nor would
it be any indication Of friendly designs If
Fort Picens were to be evacuated as it is fast be-
coming untenable and the the garrison cshnot hold
out much longer. unless reinforced, which cannot
now be done without the destruction of the rein
forcing ships. Neither is it any indication of de-
sire u cultivate peace with the Confederate States,
if the President should fail to summon extra ses
sion of Congress, inssmuch as he may, in accord
ance with acts of Congress of the last and the be-
ginning of the present century. call out the militia
of the several States, and employ the regular army
to repel invasion suppress insurrecton, the dis
erection being lodged with himself. The President
may thus make war upon the Confederate States,
without the cooperation Of Congress, if he chooses
10 consider that nsurrectiOn" exists within their
limits, instead of regarding their gre Enforcement
rightful achievement of their independence from
the old Union.
The practical difficulty in the way, at present.
u that the Administration cannot command that
" material AID which is necessary to war. Their
treasury is exhausted and must be replenished be-
fore any hostile movs ment can be ventured on.
To declare hostilities now, with an exhausted ex>
cheouer, would be to yield the vantage ground to
the States Of the South, who prepared for war,
and whose are ready to waste their life>blood,
in defence Of their rights their honor and their in
dependence. Such declaration would have the addi-
tional effect of aroasing the warke feeling of the
Border Slave States and probably preeipitatng them
out Of the Union.
Mr.sEwARD is too wary and far sighted q schemer
TO risk such consequences. And consequently con-
cealment and even misrepresentation of his true
designs viii be resorted TO, to prevent the cOnse
quences that would result from an open declaration
of policy.
If this were not SO, what injury could result by
the Administration frankly declaring that peace is
their aim and the concession of the independence of
the seeded States finally designed? Such decla-
ration might lese the Administration some strength
among Black Republicans. 1t would, nevertheless
give strength and dignity to it in other quarters.
And it would serve the far more important and
useful purpose of ensuricg rspese to the mind of
the country of restoring the activity Of commerce
and establishing feeling Of stability and satisfac
zion with all classes.
But this does not accord with the double policy |
and wlry scheming of the late Senator from New |
York. Frankness and directness were never char |
aeteriscs that distinguished him. We feel justified
in believing that the first declaration of warlike
intention on his part, will be the marshalling Of
troops, and the thunder of cannon, provided he
induce the ,srthern people to second disastrous
and despOtic proceeding.
The New York Tribune, whose only policy is q
brutal and disgusting system of calumny and mslig
nifty toward the South, avows such designs, in an
article which we copy this morning But the Tn |
6vns is not in harmony with the Administration, ia
the square manner in which it proclaims its views
though it is faithful representative of the masses
Of its party.
The difference between GREELEY and SEWARD is, |
that the latter has deeper policy and more sagacity
in composing his ends