New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-16
THH FUTURE.

simply because they arc aisagreeaoie' oti''
GUS troubles threaten us, and 1t is
cowardly to look away from them and take no
thought whittier they are likely to lead us.
Before last November threats Of disunion were
common enough, but no one supposed they were
ANYTHING more than electioneering tricks. In
deed, 40 frequently had these threats been made
before, that no one had any reason to regard
them as of any practical Importance. They
were accordingly received either with indifior-
ence, or with mirthful remarks; and the general
opinion seemed to be that the South could not
be forced out of the Union. 1t was argued BY
those who cared to argue at all about it, that
the very existence of Slavery depended upon the
Union; that no Slave State would dare to have
Canada carried down to it's borders that slave
instructions would occur as soon az the heavy
hand of the Federal Government was withdrawn
from the institution; and that the dread OF John
Brown raids would alone prove sufficient to keep
the Slave States in the Union. 1t would seem
now that great ignorance prevailed at the North
as to the real situation Of the Slave States. At
all events, VS. reckoned too rapidly and accepted
possible ultimate results as immediate effects.
The Slave States which lie most remote from the
Free, have earnestly, boldly. successfully seeded,
and established Confederacy founded upon
Slavery. They have framed Constitution, es-
tablished de taeto government, assumed an atti-
tude of armed hostility toward the United States,
and are at this moment making demands moro
betting conquerors than rebels. Two tiers OF
Slave States lie between them and the Free
States and those intermediate States are dIsai-
fected towards the Union, and act as allies to
the seeded States. The actual condition oil
things is pretty much as if one OF three partners
should be rObbiDg the firm of its property, While
threaten him with death iu case he resisted.
The Slave States which still remain in the Union,
with two or three exceptions, will be ready TO
leave it 80 soon as their end Of shielding the
seceders shall be accomplished, unless they can
compel the people of the Free States to adopt
such degrading and revolving amendments to the
Constitution rs shall b. acceptable to all the
Slave States. II is true that the Union
party, 40 called is uppermost in the Slave States
which have not seeded; but it lie about the same
sort of Union party as that lately existing in
Georgia, with sident Stephens at its head.
IT. Say these Union States, you coerce the seced.
I'd States we viii take up arms against you, and
quit the Union. II you do not adopt amendments
to the Constitution making Slavery truly ma
tional institution, We shall withdraw from the
Union. IL you let the Sccedcrs do exactly a.
they please, and never draw trigger on them,
AID if you accept our amendments to the Con
stitution, We viii consent to let you number us
still as States Of the Union. But if YOU venture
to assert aly right, even 10 your own money, in
the new Confederscy or il you plead that you
settled your views On Slavery last November, and
can take no steps to make the Constitution Ab.
horrent TO your conscieDccs and destructive 70
your interests, we shall instantly leave your
Union, and If need be, meet you in the field Of
battle.
Such is the tone Of the Union Slave States,
or rather of the Union pMty in those States;
and the day il not distant when they will
people aud tho Government OF the United States
which must either be accepted or rejected. The
time is fast approaching when even Gov. Seward
must declare hou far be is willing TO 20 for the
Union; and he must respond not in empty decla-
ration, but in plain, practical lansuage-not in
the abstract, but in the concrete. That the
beautiful image Of that fastsailing frsate enter
ING foreign port with 81 stars in her bunting
is to hide the balefI and ghastly specter OF
Slavery Extension from MIR. Stewards eyes, We
dare not believe. But when the question
comes up it is not 10 be- met By glittcriDg gen
eraities. II lie not 10 be answered By saying
that Freedom is always in the Union;" nor is
it to 20 unanswered By any political man holding
high Office The North viii at length be driven
10 take position, and to hold it; and II the Re
publican party prove unequal ~ tho occasion,
another party will supersedc it, even az it super
seeded the efTete and enasculste Wing party.
We hope the position assumed Will b. proud
and manly one; we cannot believe il viii be q
tame submission. But TO refuse to submit 10 de-
grading terms will not be mere matter Of form.
II may either involve US in war, or compel us 10
treat with the Slave States az a sovereign ma
ton. The way, ana we Tear the only way, OF
preventing o war, az the alternative OF sub
mission, or a treaty, is to be fully prepaid
for it. Unless We desire to see Mr.. Lincoln
fugitive from Washington, with Gov. Seward
at his heels, we must be prepared either
to yield up everything in the way Of po-
litcal principle, or to acknowledge the Southern
Confederacy, or to protect the seat of Govern
ment against all corners. Assuming that We shall
neither acknowledge tho Black Republic, nor sub
NIT to the demands Of it's allies, We cannot too