Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-03-14
TIgr NORrn-WRsT.

A&Aa
Al the Northwestern question. as if may very
properlybe characterized, is,in some form OF other
engaging very general attention, we do not think
re can too frequently refer to what we conceive
to be the only true and j~adicions view to be
taken OF il st this time. We have held from the
beginning that It's agitstion at this time is pre-
mature, and we concur most fully with our Co
temporary Of the Mobile Register who seems to
be inbusd with the same idea We have not
been able, says thas paper, to obtain our own
consent to more thsn an active diplomatic effort
on the psrt Of our government to detseh the
strong Northwest from the powerful combination
of our enemies, aud to offer them an alliance,
commercial and defensive. It would be only a
stern necessity, which, in State as well IS indi-
vidual affairs, often overides wishes and pre-
f-erencss, that would make us content to afhl-
iate with them undey the same government. The
time foI inst is not yet. Indeed, the time
for that opportunity, If we desired to embrace
Ii. is not yet There is no sufficient evil
deree to show that the Northwest would ex-
change its Yankee relations and connections
FOX ours. And we Gre quite confident that
whatheri st ever win be wiling to do SO, depends
upon the results of pending military operations.
If Vicksburg falls and the Mississippi is opened,
and BRAGG is driven from Tennessee, we are
persuaded we shall hear nc more of Democratic
and Yankee reactions in the West. The Con-
fe5eracy stands in relation to that subject just
es 1t does to that Of foreign recognition. We
shsu get Northwestern oyertures aud European
acknowledgment vixen we have conquered our
independence surely. It 10 bare chance if We
geteither before that time. While these are our
own views, We hold tbst many Of the arguments
against the Northwestern connection are drawn
more from feeling than from reason. It Is ab-
surd TO ssy that our consent to receive several Of
the Northwestern States into this C~onfsderaey
on our own farms, they adopting a Constitution
whose corner-stone is slavery, is tsntAmount to
" reconstruction" Certainly to extend the area
Of slavery into Indiana end Illinois, and to in
corporate them into cur Confederacy, is a very
different thing from linking our fortunes with
Abolition States. It must be remembered, too,
that IN Indiana and Illinois there is large in
fusion OF population, emigratad from the South,
aud lhst ca national politics IN the old Union,
these States have very generally voted with the
South. It would be no very violent reaction
that made these States sound converts to tie
doctrines Of the bensfcenee and wisdom Of cur
own institutions. Who knows, too, but that in
the course Of the war it may become a political
necessity to strike hands with these States in
order to save Missouri and Kentucky to the
Conedsracy 2 And looking st our powers for
defense ia the future, could any man hesitate
between the choice Of taking the whole four in
OF leaving the whole four out (?
But, as We have said, the time is not ripe for
the decision Of these questions. They may never
come Bp. The necessity of such q connection
may never be presented for our determination.
We hope not. But it is the part Of wisdom to
regard it IS a possible eventuality, and to be
prepared TO consider it ia a spirit of calm and
wise ststemauship, and not in that of prejudice
and passion. Every i-ndueemsnt Of persuasion,
argument and interest ought to be held out to
encourage the severance of the Northwest from
the old government, and to induce them to recall
! their troops from the LINCOLN service, with a
view to accumulation and peace with tie
South. Meantime, while they continue in the
field, We should fight them to the death. We
question: the wisdom Of the course adopted and
vshsmently pressed by the government organ al
Richnond-she ErquireT-which is to exasper-
ate instead of coneiiate. to discourage the gal
laut men who are striving to put an end to this
cruel war, and 70 3ive all thought of peace out
Of the minds Of their people. The violent and
eloquent biurgstions Of the Enquirer against
the people Of the Northwest may be very fine
and plucky, but at this particular time, it is, in
our judgment, very iujudicious.