Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-02-08
20. sn rhe AmerIenn CrIal.-

The French Press On the American Crisis
A Paris Journaps 0PiAiOn OF Secession.
The most important Imperislist journal in
France, next to the MoEiteur, Is the Paris
ConshftionneL which closes an article on the
American question as follows;
AlterfollowiDg fora long time an encroach-
ing policy, the South declares itself threat
ened before il is attacked and secedes from the
Union which has committed no other wrong
towards il than that Of copstitutionally elect
ing a President representing the opinions Of
an immense majority. For we must once
more remark that the election Of Mr.. Lin
coin did not signify the abolition Of slavery,
but simply firm resolve to prevent its un-
limited extension. All the Northern States
with one s5litary exception, were unanimous
in saying to the South "You have carried
your conquests far enough; you shall not 90
farther" without the least intention of as
sailing any acquired rights. This legiti.
mate expression Of the determination of the
North, which had so far been much too pa
tient, nevertheless suffced to irritate the
South to such degree as to make It throw
all moderation to the winds, and rush head
long into the most revolutionary courses.
1t would appear that slavery is not the
only motive for the projects Of separation.
The South likewise considers its interests
sacrificed, in the customs, tariffs, to those of
the Northern manufacturers it has long
protested against the protectionist policy
imposed on the States of the confederation.
1t hopes to enjoy the advantages of less re-
stricted and more direct commercial inter
course with the nations of Europe.
These ideas must have exercised an i'm
portant influence on the projects which
South Carolina has began. to carry into
effect. The slavery question has however,
always held the foremost place in the pres
ent crisis. 1t is to preserve this cherished
peculiar institution" and to provide for the
security of the masters, in the midst of their
slaves, that the South proolaims itself rebel
to the Federal Constitution. Slavery, there
fore, must be regarded as the chief cause of
the catastrophe we now witness-a catastro-
phe which so many eminent men had pre-
dicted as inevitable, sooner or later.
Will the North resign itself to a capitula-
tion of its conscience-to a sacrifice of its
selflove-and submit in exchange for the
maintenance of the confederation to all the
exigencies of the South? viii it accept the
evasion proposed to it under the form of re-
monstrance and wise advice? According to
Mr.. Buchanan that would be the only means
Of saving the Union. Or will the North,
iIritated in its turn by the reproaches of the
President, who throws or it the whole re.
sporsibility of the crisis persist in its
victory, and allow the South, which it has
neither threatened nor provoked, to act as it
likes2
That is what no distant future will in
form us. For our part, our wishes are at
the same time fer the safety of the great
American Republic, and for the gradual
| diminution ofslayery. We much fear, how
| ever, that the North will see in the late mes
sage propositions offensive to it, while the
| South will find there an encouragement to
its projects of rupture. Mr.. Buchanan
| would thus have failed in his attemnt at
pacifcation, and will have bequeaihed to
his fellow. countrymen only an incohent
commentary on the Constitution OF the Re-
| public