Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1861-02-28
WHERE WE ARE.

one who feels common interest 10
the welfare Of tho country, and the
white race, as represented in II, there
is little inducement TO look forward.
But, as cbroniclers of the times, We
cannot ignore the present, little as
we are pleased with its features. The
Union is practically dissolved. South
Caroliua, Florida, Alabama, Geor-
cia, Louisiana aud Mississippi, by
Conventions Of the people, have re-
solved themselves out of it. In all
these States the Notifications of the
United States have been seized, and
extensive preparations have been aud
are being made for war-iike defense;
a vessel under the Gag Of the United
States, bearing re;nforcements and
supplies to the garrison of the only
post still held BY the, government
within the limits of South Carolina,
has been fired upon and driven back
without executing her commission;
the state of feeling is becoming more
end more exasperated, and while on
one hand defensive preparations are
advancing, hostile intentions and the
policy Of force are freely brea,het on
the other.
We stand precisely at the turning
poiu:, not between union and disun.
ion, but between peaceful separation
and a long, bloody. terrible and M
certsin civil war. This seems to be
the choice we have. Peaceable sep.
aralion admits of the possibility of
reorganization, and many who are
hopeful Of the Union regard this as
the beet ground Of hope. But there
are indications that the incoming
administration will try the forcing
process which must obliterate this
ground forever.
There is but one way in which
the Union Of the fathers could be
slved from total disruption = the
promptadoption by Congress of plan
of constitutional compromise that
would be satisfactory to the conser.
vative portion Of the North, and
Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Ten.
nessee and Missouri. This would
retain these States 10 the Union. II
might also restrain some Of those
now taking active measures 10 60 out
and would furnish nucleus and al!
traction for the seeding States, wber
time, should have smoothed asrer
lilies. And Why should not this com
promise be made? 1t need involve
nothing but what they may CLAIM
under the Constitution as 1t nor
stands, and without il Slave State
must gravitate towards the South ant
The separation become radical ant
final. But there islittle chance for il
adoption. The Black Republicans wh
have brought The difficulty, have th
control, and can only bring the rem
edy. The time will soon be past, an,
the men are wanting for the occasion
Small potato politicians, who hav
attained positions far above their de
serts, by stirring up strife on th
slavery question. think their consis
sency vastly important to the worl'
at large, and the distractions Of th'
Chicago platform Of moro conse
euence than the Union. Mr.. Sew
ard, the avowed leader of the nev
cabinet has declared himself in |
speech mslodioas, melliauous, mel
low, but practically . kind Of politics
oratoricaT "What is lit" If it means
anything, it is, for such as it is. be
hind the time. Its approaches arr
altogether too cireumspeot and care
ful to reach the seat ofsthe difficulty
before it will be too late.
So No ere in the midst o. TIE