New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-10
PEACE OR WAR.

N'''''N"S
lating the treason and rebellion" of the Slave
States, and the exposure of the plans OF the
Revolutionsts by Gov. Hicks of Maryland, add
TO the rapidly accommodating proofs of the malig-
nant character of the Southern frenzy, which
our political doctors and commercial quacks are
proposing to cure with their old doses OF com
promise aud cancellation. We should think
it might be clear by this time, to per-
sons of even limited capacity, that the dis
ease has reached stage, at which the
consuming of precious moments IN idle debates
upon wordy resolutions has ceased to be- an
innocent pastime, and where the very life OF the
Republic depends upon common-sense exercise
of the powers of Government. The question
today is, Shall our Federal Union be
eStinguished by rebellion our Constitution
destroyed by treacbery and force the city
Of Washington seized and plundered by
laWless mob the Federal Congress dispersed,
never again to assemble as the representatives OF
an united naton In word, shall the Amerl-
can people, in the plenitude of their strength
be- betrayed and vanquished by disappointed
faction stripped of their forts and arsenas, and
find themselves suddenly without capital ana
without a Government
Does the picture seem exaggerated Look at
the facts. South Carolina il in open rebellion by
the act OF the people, already possessed OF the
Federal Arsenal aud Of every fortress within
her borders but Fort Sumter, which she IL threat
ening to demolish; the rest Of the Cotton States
are preparing to join her before the LIST OF Feb
"--cs-"Grs Of AlahnUe ",H ueorgi'
in antic patton of the popular Conventions, are
Selling the Notifications and property Of the
Union in their respective States; eX-Gov. Wise
calls upon the citizens Of Virginia TO seize inn
mediately Fort Monroe, Harper's Ferry, and
Goeport Navy Yard, and there are indications
from various sources OF plot initiated by the
same ex. Governor for Selling Washington.
These acts and plans are not local, isolated,
or accidental, but they are parts Of grand
scheme Of the Slavery Propagandists for revolu-
tionizing the country by comp d6fat, and de-
ieating absolutely and forever the will
of the people as consttutionally expressed
in the election OF Mr.. Lincoln. The chief
features Of this scheme are these: First,
the Cotton States are to secedo as they
term it, seizng all the property of the Union
they can lay their hands upon aud setting at
defiance the Federal authority. This part of the
plot is being rapidly carried out Next, the
Border Slave States are to be induced TO join
them, especially Maryland as containing, as it
WERE the District of Columbia, thus enabling
the conspirators after a repeal BY Maryland of
the act by which the District was coded to the
Union, to seize and retain, under color Of law
the Capitol, the public buildings. the Treasury
and the Government archives.
A COnfederacy is next to be formed of the
seeding States under the present Constitution
aud laws of the Union, but with alterations de-
clarng slaves property, and otherwise enthron
ing Slavery as the divinity to be worshipe1
in the new Republic. Invitations are to be
issued to Pennsylvania, New-York, aud prob
ably all Of the Free States except NewEn-
gland to renounce the faith Of their fathers,
and swear allegiance to Slavery. The hope Of
the rebels is that before the ith of March,
their pew Confederacy, with or without the
Free Slater, will be in possession of the Capitol
by force or stratagem, and that their move
ment will then be sufficiently organized to en-
able them to claim to be the Government de
tGoio Of the United States, and entitled to re-
cogDiton at the hands of the foreign powers
represented at Washing on-Russia being spe-
cially relied upon; and that thus having con-
verted rebellion into Revolution, and obtained
perhaps in part, through the aid of confederates,
the control Of the Army and Navy, they may be
able to dictate terms at will to the States that
shall refuse to join them, and to defy success
fully any force that these States may send
against them.
For the accomplishment Of this scheme they
have been long preparing, and they have had for
moths the secret assistance Of confederate trail
tors in the House. the Senate, and the Cabinet;
and they had confidently expected to continue to
control the Federal Government in furtherance
of their purposes during the remainder of the
presidential term. The hasty action of South
Carolina of which the other Slave States are
now complaining, Leading to premature disclo-
sure of the completely Of the War Department
aud the plumber Of the Treasury compelling the
abrupt withdrawal Of Cobb, Floyd, and Thomp-
son, the reconstruction of the Cabinet, the
declaration of the President that he would
enforce the laws aud the policy Of the new
War Secretary Holt, guided by the wisdom OF
Gen. Scott, bave all combined to convince the |
conspirators Of tho dangers Of delay; and hence