The New York herald., 1862-03-04
Letter from Thurlow Weed on
the American Question.
TErofa the London Observer, Feb. 81
rue TRUE STATE OF THE AMERIcAN QUESTION


IFrom the London Observer, Feb. 81
THE TRUE STATE OF THE AMERICAN QUESTION.
Sal am so often met with the inquiry, Why should
not the permit tho South to secede instead OF en-.
gazing in a civil warp that, with your PERMISSION
viii submit a brief general reply.
Thsro has been for thirty years IN America "an ire
prossble conflict between slavery and freedom limited,
however in the North a small minority of its citi-
zeas moved by phanhropc or political impulses or OBJ
acts The great majority Of Northern people recognz-
ing their constitutional obligations, abstained from in
tererence withslavery IA the STATES where was sane
toned by tho fundamental law OF the land.
Originally all the States slaveholding: but the
fathers of the republic and trainers Of the constitution
looked forward TO ultimate and universal emancipation
and progress of civilization Of the States did
work out their emancipation from slavery, while six
others better adapted by climate and productions to
slave labor, remained 'joned to their idols" One or
the six Virgnia) recently 1890 In amending her
constitution was about equally divided upon the ques-
tion OF gradual emancipation.
The purchase Of louisiana from France Florida from
SPAIN the conquest Of Texas and Mexico, added
slave States TO the Union.
Thus situated we pursued our national career always
less disturbed by tho slavery element, but al.
ways making concessions AID SACRIFICES FOR the sake OF
Every President OF the United States elected since the
adoption OF the constitution either came from slave
State pro-Savery democrat acceptable slavery
with the exception of John Adams, John Quincy Adams
General Harrison (aso native Of Virginia but resident
of Ohio, and Mr. Lincoln General Harrison died two
months after his inauguration and Mr. Lincoln has been
in Office less than year that, practically the 60
vernment has boon administered only nine years by
Presidents with Northern principles while than
seventy years has been welded by the slave power
General Harrison succeeded by Vice President Tyler
violent proslavery President who most arbitrarily ad.
mitted Texas into the Union by proclamation
In the meantime slavery was ever encroachng, and
when encountsrng resistance its representatives threat
ened dsunion and then after exciting Debates the d
Guilty would be 'scompromised," in which the North,
being tho stronger became the magnanimops party.
In 1S4S. when California asked to Into the Union
with free constitution. tho South again threatened dis
solution and Messrs Stephens Confederate Vice
Presden, with Senator's Toombs and Clingman, called
upon General Taylor and threatened If California
admitted as free State. l passed them coming from
the executive chamber and found that the President had
Indignantly rebuked their reasonable threats But u
fortunately and mysterousiy three weeks after that
memorable scenc Providence beeaved the nation its
veneratcd President and under his successor rebellion
postponed by another s1compromise,' in which
slavery obtained equivalents (ncuding Mr. Mason's
Fugitive Savcaw) for the admission Of California.
The next step in the progress OF rebellion the
peal of the missouri Compromise boundary line es
tabishcd by ordinance in 1880 dividing the territory
tained by purchase from France between slavery and
Freedom tho fertile and available portion going slave
ry the wilderness to freedom Out of the Southern
ton OF this territory three slave States orga
nized and admitted into the Union. Finally when civi
zacn approached Kansas slavery usted for and pro-
slavery administration sent its oosholders and army
into that Territory repress freedom protect slave
ry After fearful and rayaging conflict Of six years in
which all the power and appliances two pro slavery Pre-
sdens Pierce and Buchanan could render slavery
rendered. freedom triumphed and Kansas admitted
into tho Union with constitution "prohbtng slavery
and involuntary servitude forever" This gave for the
first time, prepondcrance Of free State votes in the
United States Senate And that feather having
ken the slave cames back, armed resistance and seces
500 was resolved upon ana reSOrted TO
The next step taken deliberately contemplated the de-
moraztion OF the democratic party 30 that the elec
t,on of "back republican" President might furnish the
prctex for rebellion This accomplished by seces
sion ordinances In South Carolina and Mississippi in
tina avowa of doctrines by Jefferson Davis Toombs and
other Southern Senator's upon which Northern demo-
could stand eliminating finally in tho Charles
ton Convention by ;ch and tho nomination OF
a secession candidate for President
Mr.. Lincoln the way being thus cleared, was chosen
President, and although he had avowed himself in
favor Of leaving slavery where the constitution planted
IT, aud only differed from his predecessors being
extension his election was held to be ius
Il Gcationfor rebellion.
Though chosen in November, Mr.. Lincoln was not
into Office until the 4th Of March During this
long interval or i've mouths rebellion maturing and
progressing under the eye and auspices Of President
Buchansn who, II not party to 1t, sat in fools cap"
ignorant OF what was apparent TO ali others
In the Carolinas, Georgia, Aiabama &C., the federal
forts custo houses and pest oces seized and the
public money stolon In these aud other States insu
gont mics were organ!zef.
AS the 4th of March approached conspiracy. having
for its object the OF the capital the seizure OF
IT'S archives aad tho usurpaon OF tbs government with
Brcck:nr;lge tho secession candidate as provisional
Presdsut, organz,t II. General Scott promptly or
dsroi the few regular troops (600) within reach 10
Washington, and volunteers were summoned from tho
Northern Slatas. These were nrei upon in Baltimore,
while simultaneously the railroad tracks and bridges
were taken up or burned. But three New York reg-
ments reached Washington By water in avert
the btow. II should be remembered that Washington Ia
situated within the heart Of ;ha saveholding States.
Fooled Ia their designs Washington the cJuspira
tors orgsuzed band OF Coonel BoodsD for the as,as
suatiou Of Mr. Lincoln in his passage through Baltimore
The timely discovery Of this conspiracy Of which rre
frsRabe proofs exist enabled Mr. Lincoln to escape the
poniard by anticipating the train in which he ey
pecod and passing ncoo by night through that city.
In February Major Anderson, commanding Fort tfoul-
trie Charleston harbor finding his position endangered
passed his garrison, by prompt and brilliant move
ment TO the stronger fortress Of Sumter where
upon Mr. Floyd, Secretary Of War, much excited called
upon ths President to that Major Anderson had vo-
lated express ORDERS aud thereby seriously COMPROMISED
him loyd) and that unless tho Major was !rn,ed asly
remandcd to Fort Moutrie he should resign the War
Ogce.
The Cabinet was assembled directly Mr. Buchanan,
explaining tho embarrassment of the Secretary of War;
remarked thai tho act Of Major Anderson wod occasion
exasperaton in the South he had told Mr. Floyd that as
the government was strong forbcarance towards
ing brethren might win them back TO their allegiance
and that that officer might bo ordered back. After an
omnos senca the President inquired how the sugges
tion struck his Cabinet.
Mr. Stanton just now called to the War Office but then
Attorney General answered, s'That course Mr.. Presi
dent oagh: certainly TO be regarded most liberal
ward 'crrng brchren' but while one member Of your
Cabinet has fraudulent acceptances for millions OF dol
lars ahoa and while the confidential clerk another
himself IN Carolina teaching rcbeliouhas lust stolen
5000 0cO from the Indian trust fund the experiment OF
ordering MAJOR Anderson back to Fort Moultrs would be
dangerous Bat { you intend to try ~ before it is done
"And mino," added the Secretary OF State, Mr
Black.
Holt.
"And nina, tooo followed the Secretary Of the
Treasury, General DIX.
This of course opened the beared eyes Of the Pres
dent and the meeting resulted in the acceptance OF Mr..
Floyd's resignation.
Forcb!e pe,ceablc secession has been plotted and
mined. and matured From the beginning the lang age
aud bearing OF the has aad
defiant While the Northern people, accustomed TO
threats of civil war, were unwilling believe such an
possible and unconscious Of the preparations going
forward 10 carry rebellion into eject, the Secretary
War had stoalthily plunde.ed Northern arsenas By
transfer o. cannon, muskes and munitions war to
the Southern States that when the broke out we
were left without the means Of armng troops
The governments further weakened by the dis
covery that It's army was distributed throughout the
south and Southwestern States aud Territories whe the
navy was cruising in distant oceans and seas Scarce
one thousand regular troops, and DOT ship in commits.
sion, were Immediately available.
In the concepton rise and progress OF this wicked and
causeloss rebellion, its chiefs sought TO accomplish thor
designs ny means OF civil war; and By such only
Neither In The slave State Legislatures nor In Congress
did they ever propose or suggest peaceable secession
After tho rebellion had broken out and our custom
houses wore sozsd ond money stolen, insurgent
commissioners appeared at Washington IL ia scarcely
necessary 70 say that SUCH they were not recoenzod
or 10 ndd That u such traitors had presented
at Buckingham Palace. So London ins,ead OF tho Wbtc
Uau1a nutop tI.u.