New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-30
MISCELLANEOUS.
WAR, COMPROMISE OR SEPARATION.

letter to Senator Johnson
To he Hon. ANDREW JoHssoS, Of TeHnessee.
SIR: The question which now enlTosses the sttenton
of the people Of this country s Of such importance
that arr sure You will permit TO address TO you,
end through you TO the people Of your section as well
as of mine, some statements and suggestions which
trurt are not unworthy Of serious consideration.
A few months ago we believed that we one
people, NATION with rOwer price and pu1pose equal
10 any. We had had dineret> TO- ~ the exact
,cmo 90 or ~, Government, and we hbd never, from
the r, day Of our Un3n, been entirely free from the
anomalous and Disturbing element oi'Slsvery. Our
political experiment had always been affected by it,
and our National progress hiss not been natural and
healthy az otherwise il would have been. But we had
carried on our political contests fur without violence
Within this last half year. however the control Of tho
machinery and power of our Government has passed
in sljct harmony with the Constitution from the slave
sentiment TO the free sentiment and change has been
effected, second only 20 that Of our Revolution. We
cannot wonder that the deposed party should have
struggled against this bat surprised that it
should have cen able to induce 20 large majority of
the PEOPLE of seven States 70 dsrupt the Union with
precipi.atiOn and violence; and whatever our views
may be az TO what Mr.. BnebOnan sbould have done,
or whatever our theories about the Right Of Sec.s
sion" as it is called may now think, drop them
and approach this as practical question.
TIE present position Of our Government, all will
admit is full of difficulty. To know what is best TO
do lie one thing and TO do it ia another both of which
call for tie highest wisdom, talent, and energy 1t 10
clear that this complication and suspense shoud be ter
minated speedily possible for enterprises Of every
kind arc prostated and will continue to be- 70 long as
any contest ass while the bitterness Of private
domination will pen too fsst into public hate, and will
insure further miscbief
T. re seem but three ways 10 resolve this miserable
confusion, suddenly precipiated upon wonderfully
prosperous country.
First, To maintain the integrity Of the Union and
the Constitution aad the Union Of the States at any
cost and every sacrifice.
Second. To yield to the demands Of the Slave Power
whatever they now, or may be hereafterin other
words--to compromise again.
Third. To not only allow the Cotton States to go
out of the Union but request all the Slave States to
leave us, ard az speedily rs possible.
Upon these three propositions allow me 10 offer few
suggestions AS to the fst To maintain the integrity
Of the Constitution and the Union of the States ct any
cost and at every sacrifice"
THIS position is clear logical and constitutional. 1t
involves of course the deniaLof any right Of secession
which ia simply instruction revolution, II demands
prompt ao ION to hold defend and repossess the national
property 70 collect the and 10 ENFORCE tho
laws II is direct and meny-we have the power 10
maintain IT. and it viii be pressed as the only proper
one by large portion Of people, and particularly
Of the party to which 1 belong. AS practical ques-
ton am satisfied il means War-bitter and detruc
tive complicated with Eave insurTections, and ending
with tic wpirg cut Of Slavery; but carrying with IT
the destruction of the Slave States and the temporary
ruin Of the Free. IL will destroy in the Cotton States
Tot the traitors only who have done this mischief but will
Cary down also what loyal aud honest there.
Secession ia foolish, Illogical anarchical expensive
ana impocticsble and will By and by be contemplate.
war '7iH a4Ry ii. IL it wise 70 sacrifice one honest
LIE on % poor thing TO spend charge OF pow
der upon The political traitors, whom betrayed people
will Jet bangf
The seoo'd propohtio' is-"To yield to the demands
Of tie slave power--to Coi.uronlise again"
The mdest dcmsn6, Of owe. the Uyion men o. yir.
gina and perhaps Of your vt loyal State, ia that
negro sivcs shall be recognized Nv NJ Of the Free
States as properly, the horses end 5ogs-that
this fact shall be somehow esseredby the Avs and tho
Constitution and d at shall cease 10 think or AZ
les.t 70 cay that we think Slavery evsnd wrong.
This ia demanded of while you in the Slave Stes
do not admit such positions. You do not kill eat
your slaves with quite the same esse as you do hogs
and oxen; and You demand tina; they shall be repre-
sened in Congress as you do not for boys and hOrscs