New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-07-19
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
CA1RNEs ON THE SLAVE POWER.


cairnes has won the right 10 associate his name
with those Of John Stuart Mill and John Bright,
So among the few EUglsh writers who have taken
s. dispasaonate and intelligent view of the great
questions at issue IN the present conflict between
the North and the South. He approaches the
subject NOT without due preparation. professor
Of Jurisprudence and political economy in lead
inc British university, he is qualified by habit Of
mind and specific culture TO discuss the position
and bearings OF the problem, TO which he has de-
voted his attention. Nor has he failed to acquaint
himself with the most authentic sources oil Inior-
nation from which light could be thrown on bis
inquiries Free from the influence OF insular pre-
udce, accustomed to broad philosophical deduc-
lions, and capable of applying profound and e1'
set analysis to the elucdation OF complicated ple'
nomena, he has presented mastery exposition OF
The social effects of Slavery in this country, and
traced the civil war, which has poured out the
best blood of our American youth On treacher-
ous sol, 10 its true origin in the lust OF irrespon'
sbe power.
The views of Professor Cairnes, although IA
milar to the most sagacious statesmen OF Anne
yca, are set forth with so much ucidity Of state
ment and aptness of illustration that the repetl-
tion of them in their present form must be OF
essential service 10 the cause of freedom. We
shall rejoice in the extensive circulation OF BIS
volume among American thinkers, and would
gladly acQuit ourselves of the debt, which every
lover of liberty will acknowledge TO his vigorous
intellect, by aiding it to wide publicity.
The movement which has reached It's crisis in
the existing conflict is Justly described as possess
ing the unity of national drama. Since the year
1919 down to the present time, the history OF the
United States has been record of aggressions by
the Slave Power 10 which the North has made
but feeble resistance. The last demand OF the
South was for the protection of Slavery In the
Territories; and this, if admitted, would have
converted the whole Union into one vast domain
for Slavery. 1t was at this point that the Demo.
Gratis of the North broke off from their Southern
alles-a detection which gave the victory to the
Republicans, and was the immediate occasion Of
the civil war.
1t is not, however, to be understood that the
motive of the North in taking up arms has been
the abolition of Slavery. The pretext of the
South was the election of a republican president
in the ordinary constitutional course. This was
made the ground for revolt, as it was incompoti-
ble with the aims of the Slave Power to remain in
the Union while tho Government was conducted
On the principle Of restricting the extension OF its
domain. SO long as it was itself the dominant
party, and could employ the resources of the Gov
eminent 10 favor of Slavery, it was content with
the Union; but the moment that the Government
passed into the hands OF party founded Oh the
idea OF restricting the extension of Slavery, the
South resolved to break loose from the Federal
ties The war had thus its origin 10 Slavery; al
though the ostensible issue with the North was
not Slavery, but the right of secession. The first
departure from constitutional usage by the South
was the act of secession, and hence il was on the
right To adopt this course that the North com
PEELED TO join issue.
The effect of this position Oh the part oil the
North, as Professor Cairnes explains, was 10 pre-
iudice their cause in England. disappointment
WAS felt because an Anti-SlayeIy crusade was not
commenced at once The result reaction
of sentiment which prevented the English people
in general from dong justice to what was really
worthy of admiration in the Northern cause Yet
there was much in the spectacle presented by the
North at the opening Of the wsr 10 call forth th-
feeling. at was the spectacle Of people,
which. having long bent its neck before band OF
selfish politicians, and been dragged by them
through the Inire Of shameless transactions, had
suddenly recovered the consciousness Of its power
and responsibilities, and, shaking itself free from
their spell, stood erect before the Ken who had
enthraled its conscience and its will. A commu-
nity. the most eager in the world in the chase af-
ter gain, forgot its absorbing pursuit; parties. a
moment before orrayed against each other IN q
great political contest, laid aside their party dit
ferences; q whole nation, merging all private aims
in the single passion OF patriotism rose to arms as
a single man: and this for no selfish object, but
to maintain the integrity Of their common coun-
try and TO chastise band Of consplTatOrs, who,
in the wantonnesS of their audacity, had dared to
attack it. The Northern people conscious that 1t
had risen above the level of Ordinary motives
looked abroad for sympathy, and especially looked
10 England. II was answered with cold criticism
and derisiOn. Ibe response was perhaps natural
more so than the bitteg modification and resent
Inent which that response crooked
In approaching the question OF Slavery from The
standpoint of political economy, the author eI-
E,.tt Fl