Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1862-01-23
Letter frcm 0Occn.lonnl ;,
w WAsHINGToN. lamar

say, that rather than bring back the Sc
ceded slave States into the Union, they
would agree to peaceful and prompt sepa-
ration. They contend that in the event Of
reunion the shaved despotism will rule by
its unity, and with the aid of the Breckin-
ridge Democrats of the free States, and by
means Of the divisions Of the Republicans,
the destinies of the future of our country
will be completely controlled by traitors TO
the Federal Constitution. Although no
open demonstration in favor of this theory
has yet been made it is undoubtedly sin
cerely entertained in certain influential
quarters. No more dangerous and demoral-
ling doctrine could be preached, and il is
the duty of independent journalists to put
it down forever Separation would be pro-
ductive of almost universal and perpetual
distress. The States now in revolt would
suffer, if possible, more than the States that
stand by the old covenants. The Cotton
Commonwealths would at once become the
dependents Of the british Government sub
ject to all the chances and changes ofAfor-
eign intrigues and wars. The mouth Of the
Mississippi, held by a hostile power, would
result in imposing taxes upon the products
of the Northwest seeking an outlet to the
sea. Both sides of that great river, occu-
pied for hundreds of miles by people enter
| tanning different sentiments on the subject of
| slavery would bristle with armies, and
bloody forays would be frequent. If sepa-
ration is acceded to- who would hold the
capital? The North would never consent
TO yield it ; and yet, to secure it, neighbored
| by two dsatiected States, all the time in
sympathy with the Cotton States, would re-
quire an enormous standing army. Border
conflicts would be inevitable. And how long
could we expect TO retain Kentucky, Vir-
ginia, Maryland and Missouri among the
oyal States Could they be restrained by a
treaty, with the active elements of educa-
/ ton and interest at work in cir midst on
the side Of the Cotton States2 Separation,
on the idea enunciated in the sentences at
! the head Of this letter, would almost at once
compel California and Oregon to declare
themselves an independent Republic. AS
to the great Middle, Western and Eastern
| States, their situation would be inconceiva-
| bly, distressing. Factions would spring up
! everywhere as q result of separation, but
! the factions in these States would be more
numerous and mischevious than in any
/ other quarter. To swell the general calam-
/ ity, bankruptcy, poverty, anarchy, and to-
tai disregard of law, would contribute their
! many nameless horrors. Such is brief
summary of the certain evils of separation.
/ Will not our statesmen consider them well
! before committing themselves to so fright
full an alternative2
But one course is, in fact, left to the Gov
ernment and the people. We must fight
: this battle through. The traitors must be
struck such blows as will in6ict severe and
lasting wounds. If they will not yield they
must be subjugated ; and if the worst comes
to the worst, their peculiar institution must
be attacked, front and rear, until its over
throw is effected. If slavery is indeed the
bulwark of the rebellion, then let it go
down-and the sooner the better.
But there is another great duty that can
not be disregarded. There is an active
party in the loyal States which, under
cover of being for the Union, are at work
to force dishonorable peace, by sowing the
seeds Of disaffection among the people. It's
leaders have called to their aid the worst
prejudices and the basest passions; and if
they can divide the true friends of the Gov
ernment, they will clamor for an adjust
ment, and toll to bring back the despots
who have long ruled and ruined our happy
country. How to checkmate these schemes
is great question. 1t can not be done by
exclusive counter party organizations-nor
yet by hasty legislation-nor, above all, by
efforts to weaken the Executive and his con-
stitutional advisers. The loyal voters must
be got together This is the remedy. II
can not be resorted to too early. Of course
something must be conceded on all sides
but if such combination is not effected
the cause our brave countrymen are fight
ing for will end in bloody catastrophe
He who stands in the way of such frater.
nization as will be vital, enduring, and in
stinct with the elements of conquest over
treason, will be guilty of crime in the
sight of God and man. OCCASIONAL.