New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-24

the penalty Of having thought better OF them
than they do OF themselves.
Bnt. General, you assert that my utterances in
favor of the ultimate right or every people to
be governed as they may think best afforded
signal aid and comfort to tho violent faction
then intent on the severance of their respec
tive States from tho Union: Let Inc state q
wcll-Lnown fact that puts you to open shame
It was necessary that THE TRIBUNE should
have correspondents, in those evcntiul days,
throughout the South: and those c0rTcSpOn-
dents rCrG uniformly 0bhged 10 con-
zeal their business and address their let
fers for TuT TRIBUNE 10 unknown iRdiUid-
,iaIs. Some of them still live to attest the
fact, should any one dispute it; but none Will.
II is notorious that no man dared throughout
that memorable Winter, to avOw his connec-
ton with THE TRIBUNE in any city where De-
cession was rampant and brave men had to
be Withdrawn and replaced, from time to time
because of suspicious arising that they were
writing for this journal. Need another word
be said on this point
But how came to write rs did just at that
timer What was the need of such declarationsY
Mr. Lincoln had just been chosen President
but not yet naugurated. The South Carolina
loispurs ut once raised the banner OF Secs
sion, as had been prearrangcd. NO SuDms-
"sioam was the watchwOrd most frequently
employed to fro the Southern heart.
But another peril than that Of DisuniOn inn
mcdiatcy disclosed itself A most respectable
array of Southern Unionists insisted that the
only hope of National preservation hinged
upon a prompt and hearty acquesconce by
Che North in the running OF the line
of 80 so straight across the CONT
ncnt, and cOnsignng all our territory south
Of it, present and prospective, TO human
chattelhoOd. And the Republican party had
many within its ranks who were disposed TO
surrender its principles to secure the peaceful
possession and enjoyment of its newly
Offices and "spos." Our Northern Democrats,
who had been doing the like all their lives,
naturally urged this as the dictate of their sort
OF PATRIOTISM; while such Southern UniOnisis
NJ Riycs of Virginia and Crittenden OF Ken
lucky insisted that in our acquiescence in the
extension and Notification of Slavery lay the
only chance of preserving the Union.
Il was in resistance to this formidable de-
monstatiOn, looking to another Of those inia-
mous surrcndcIs politely termed compromises,
that I was called to do my utmost Peace,
honors. cmolumcntS, applauses, on the one
hand war, dsunion, defeat, calamity, on the
other: eminent Republicans urging that we
give way and "save the country many more
eager to have it done, though reluctant to be
personally conspicuous in doing it there were
many chances that the "Critienden COmprom-
"iser would prevail before Mr.. Lincoln should
grasp the rcins on the 4th OF March ensuing.
In my view, the future of this Republic was
never in more deadly peril.
My Judgment was clear and decided from
the outset The Crtlcnden Compromise, and
any Compromise involving an expansion OF
slavery. must ut all events be beaten. Better
even disunion, if the hard alternative wero
forced upon us, than the incilab!c wrong and
shame of conccdng to Slavery in the flush Of
triumph what we had stcmly refused her
when defeated and powerless Rather submit
to loss than consent to crime. And so, to the
angry remonstrlnce, "YOu refuse all cOmprO
" mise and leave us no alternative but
"Ciyil War" my answer was ready and
constant" No: DsuniOn, if We cannot avoid
cit, rather than another concession TO Slavery
BY these. and kindred demonstrations from
others, the Republican line was Strengthened
and steadicd, and the unspe9kable apostasy
and shame which heavily impcndcd were
wardtd off. But never u Rebel was deuded
into belief that these demonstrations were
made in the interest Of his cause or party;
never did y0H imagine so vain thing till you
had become virtually his ally Yourself. II. q.