New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-13
NO CONCESSIONS.

The recent speech OF DIR. Charles FRANCIS
Adams presents with so much truth and power
the absolute insignifcance of the assigned grounds
of difference between the North and the South
that if these were the real causes Of difference
upon which such tremendous results depend we
ought to be regarded contemplate and ncap-
able if we did not adjust so triAing dispute
There is school of politicians among us (of
which, however, Mr. Adams is not one) who see
nothing in the controversy but these petty points,
and regarding it with contempt, have sought to
recommend themselves TO the people as paragons
of wisdom in foolish age, aud alone suited to
take charge of the Government These men
would have accounted John Hampden fool for
setting the kingdom by the ears for so petty
matter as ship money. But qnIetism Is not
wisdom, and those who undertake to que con-
troyersy involving fundamental moral, and pollt-
ical principles by belitDg the occasion of it, are
incompetent as Statesmen, however amiabc or
cultivated they may be. Mr.. Adams has, per-
haps lived to much in the past to have full
appreciation of the present crisis and his quo
tations from Burke, and Chatham and Bacon do
not touch the case. This is not revolt against
oppression, real or imaginary, but struggle to
retain power against the popular will aud against
the forms and spirit of the Government.
The Importance Of this error relates not 50
much TO the measures he proposes, as to the
miscOnception it is calculated to lead to
concerning the essential nature Of the con-
troyersy If those who mediate destroying
the Federal Government under the forms Of
Secession and q Southern Confederacy had no
clearer conception of what they are struggling
for than TO accept the proposed measures, it
would be all well. But they contemptuousy re-
iect them; nor are they accepted even BY the
feeble well.wishers of the Government at the
South. This business of compromise, looked at
by living eyes--by men who understand Southern
pOlitcs-is sacrificing the queen TO the pawns.
The hackneyed phrase Of preierring the country
to party, means, at such a crisis, only the de-
structiOn Of the country itself.
We cannot afford to disarm ourselves by de-
morazing the host Of freemen who stand I'M
movaby for the Union and its Constitution as a
charter Of freedom in order TO get the uncertain aid
of those who have not the manhood to stand up for
the Constitution without an u. The number Of
those who would fight for the Union in the
South with Mr.. Adams's bill passed by Repub-
lcans, and who would not stand for it without
that measure, is too inconsiderabe to be thought
of; for the measures themselves are not Of
character TO satisfy any not disposed to be
satisfied without them. The usurpers will scout
them as cheat, and they will be preudicial
rather than helpful to the loyal men of the South.
Let them defend the Government as it is. II
needs no fg-leaf. The Union men at the South
have grown in strength with the growth Of the
Republican party at the North, and have grown,
too, under the constant charge Of sympathizing
with Republicans
AS there are no grievances, We should not give
color by offering concessions to the pretexts set
up. So far from such offers tending to con-
citation and peace in the present temper of the
usurpers, they tend to strengthen them in their
position and ncite new pretensons What is
really wanted is manifestation of resolved
purpose to maintain the Union and enforce the
laws. The South must be made TO consider the
real nature of the supposed afironts they have
received and they will not do that till they are
made 10 respect tnelr hu'ersaries' phiortu-
naely the people of the South to too great an eI-
tent regard the people Of the North with dstrust,
predcated upon the notion that they will not
maintain their rights in manly way. 1t only |
needs TO be understood that the people will main
tain their rights, if necessary, in the field, to in
spire degree of respect which will cause the
Southern rebels to consider, with entirely diff
ferent spirit, whether there is really any ground |
for the attempt they mediate of overthrowing |
the Government, in the frivolous grievances they |
are now so enrsged about. They imagine that if |
the North is superior in numbers, it lacks the
courage to maintain the Government it has taken
possession of. Defeated at the baOt-box, they |
have appealed to arms to resist the Judgment of |