New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-09-17
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
opprr.ry,s AMERICAN CONFLICT.

TIA comprehensive plan Of this work embraces
not only tie general causes, incidents, and results
81 the great civil conflict now raging in this coun-
try. but special exposition of its moral and Poi-
cal aspects with systematic view of the progress
Of American opinion respecting Slavery from the
year lT76 TO the close Of the present war No one
can DO more fully sensible than the author that the
time has not yet arrived for complete history OF
the momentous struggle; but no has endea'ofed 10
present the intelligent reader with faithful aud &C.
curate account OF the prominent events OF 'he way
and . thorough analysis Of the political opinions
and movements which found their inevitable Issue
In the bloody strife of to-day. He believes that the
existing Rebellion the necessary result Of dis
cords growing out of our sntegonistic social insi'
tons; that the conflict between Freedom snd Slavery
under common government could not have been
prevented however long il might have boon post
poned: and that the series Of compromises Intended
to compose the national differences, have been, in
fact detrimental 70 the national character, and IN
furious 10 the cause which they were designed to
support. Still, in his opinion, if the majority of
the friends Of freedom had stood firm TO their con-
yictions, and insisted on their right 10 shape our
national policy according 70 the terms OF the Con-
sasGison, they would have mitigatei the most tor
rbls features Of the struggle and "precluded the
waste Of Thousands Of millions Of ,treasure' and
: rivers Of generous blood" Nor has Mr.. Greeley
approached the subject in the spirit Of partisan.
Aiming to present Trustworthy record, ratherthan
an imposing argument, be has made constant use OF
original authorities, freely and copiously quoting
from speeches, messages, letters, and other public
documents, thus exhibiting the views Of political
sdyersaries IN terms which must he respected rs
authentic even by themselves.
The volume now issued is devoted mainly 70 the
slucidation of the causes which led to the war for
the Union; the second volume which is TO COM
plete the work viii consider the means by which
the war was brought to close The latter of course,
cannot appear until time after the termination
of the contest and the author expresses hehOpe that
he shall be able to devote at least double the time
TO its composition than in his power to bestow
upon this shall labor constantly" he tells US in
has Introduction, ito guard against the error Of sup
posing that all the heroism, devotedness humanity
chivslry evinced in the contest, were displayed on
one side; sll the eowsrdice, feroety, cruelty and
rapaoity, and general depravity the other. be-
leye il to be the truth and such Ishall endoayor
some deeds disgrsceful to human nature, the gem
ersl behaviour Of the conbatants either side has
been calculated TO do honor even 10 the men who,
Enough fearfully misguided, are stu our country
mon, and to exalt the prestige OF the American
name"
The course Of reasoning which led to the recogn-
eioo of Slavery in the Federal Constitution is sue
oinctly stated in the following paragraph.
the experiment Of Collaboration as contra ds'ln
Eushod from mere intimate and positive Union. was
fairly tried BY our fathers. lite only bcnebeent rssu.
was The demons thereby afforded o. rs vital az d
fncuFabe defects. Our country atteined under 1t mel
ther dignity consideration, security nor even sosency
The central national authority left dependant on the
concurrent action of the several States for the very
means Of existence exhibited often In the attitude %
sgenteel beggar rather than VI sovereign Congress
attempted tO impose very moderate taln for The pay
ment Of interest the general or foreign debt con
traced support Of the Revolutionary armies. bat was
baihed by the Legislature Of khode lsend-t,en state
ofrelatiycly extensive foreign coumeTce-which inter
posed its paray zng veto Political impotence, com
fnercia embarr ssinent and general dsiress, finally
owe bore temp rarity senced sectional ealOuses and
6tate pride, such n extent hat Convention OF del
egates from quorum Of the States, Cnle1 together
rather to anerd han " superede the Articles Of Con
federation. leg lily assen bled at Philadelphia 10
1857 George Washington, Be- jlrn Franklin, Alexan-
der Hamilton. James Mad son, Edmund Randolph, and
Charles g. finckncy bong among its most eminent
members. John Adams and IhomGs Jefferson were
absent Rmbassadurs in Europe Saunel Adams
George Clinton. and Patrick Henry stood aloof wnch-
ing Tire movement with Jealous apprehension. Frank |
lin then over eighty one years II nge declined the
chair account VI his increasing iDhrmites and on
his motion, George Wasb g;On unanimously eject
ed President.
The Convention sat with clcsed doors; and circu
at8pta adequate report of its deliberations was
made The only accounts Of them which have reached
those Of delegates who took notes al the time
or taxed their recollection in after years when the mat
Ter had attained an importance anticipated 81 the
time Of Its Occurrences ard hcse "reminiscences not
d coored.
cast in accordance with tho ambitions and ultimate pO
Ltcal relations OF the recorders. The general outline.
however Of the deliberations aid decisions Of the Con
veaiion sufficiently exhb ted in tie Constitution and
IN what know OF he various propositions rejected IN
che OF its formation The purpose OF tins work
will require only rapid summary a what WIS done, ,
aud what iefl uadone, Ia relation u Human slavery.
majority OF the iramers Of toe Constitution, like
al their CON eIr ots 81 our evJiionary era
were al gerse Slavery Their Judgments condemned,
and their cOIsCiences reprObi H. They would evil
DENLY have preferred TO PISS the subject In siiece
and frame Constitution wherein the existence OF bu
man bondage not implicitly cOnsructiyey recOg
nizcd Hence ii may be noted that those provisions IA
,oring Uphgidii slavery, which defoim cur great
charter, nOt original and integral paris Of the i0b
and. SUCH contained in The original Ian thereof; but
are unsghtly and abnormal additions. her fastened
upon than nterwOvcn with the body Of the Structure
Could the majority have made such d Constitution rs /
they would have preferred Slavery would have Olnd no
lodgment 10 ~ bat already the whip Of DslniOn was
brands!ed aud the fatal necessity OF Compton, made
ioAIuest The Convention would have at once aud for
ever prohibited. 50 lar our country and Der people
were concerned. the African Save Trade; bat South
Carolina AID Georgia present, by their delegates,
so odmOnis, ana II admOnlt.On did mol unswef 10
ace. that thus must not DO "No Save Trade Union
Such wa the short nd sharp alternative presented by
the delegates from th0se STATES North Carolina vas
Iass,ye Virginia and her northern sisters more
than willing ~ prohibit q, once the further importation
OF Slaves; in fact. several If not ell Of these States
Guiding Virginia and Maryland bad already expressly
l,rIi he "A his Ia