New-York tribune., 1886-05-16

|
Clay's compromise tariff OF 1883 does not com
mend itself to General Logan, who says:
| But after-cvents proved conclusivev that the
| enactment of this compromise tariff was terrible
| blunder if not q crime Jackson had fully Intend
ed to hang Calhoun and his multiplying coad tutors
IL they persisted in their treason. He knew that
they had only seized upon the tariff laws as pre-.
text with which TO justify disqnion, and prophesied
that the next will be the slavery or negro ques-
tion.' Jackson's forecast correct Free trade,
slavery and secession were from that time forward
sworn allies; and the ruin wrought to our indus
tries by the disasters of 1910. plainly traceabc 10
| that compromise tariff measure of 1893, was only
to be supplemented by mach greater ruin and dis,
Se Sfssa By rsbDon Of The the
trade and pro-savcry States Of tho South in 1851,
in mad attempt to destroy the Union.
The annexation OF Texas. the war with Mexico.
and the defeat of Mr.. Clay briefly reviewed. and
| 1t is shown that the compromise of 1850 was
quickly followed by attempts to organize the Terri
tory of Nebraska in violation OF the Missouri Com
promise. There follows a very full account of tine
great debate between Mr. Douglas and Mr.. Lincoln,
in which, notwithstanding tho authors strong
friendship for Mr.. Douglas 1t wouid seem that the
! argument of Mr.. Lincoln convinced his Judgment.
Thus he says:
But Douglass partial victory if such it was-so
far from settling the public mind and public con-
science, had the contrary effect. It added to the
ierment which the pro-savery OligaTchists OF the
Southland especially those of South Carolina
were intent upon increasing, until SO grave and
serious a crisis should arrive as would, III their
opinion, furnish jusifabe pretext in tAe eyes OF
the world for the contemplated secession of the
slave States from the Union.
General Logan's work is in no part stronger than
in the overwhelming array Of proof that secession
was the result of deliberate and lOng-meditated
conspiracy, having for its ultimate end the estab-
lishment of a separate aristocratc government, in
which the deested idea of equal rights should
have no place, and of which free trade should be
the cornerstone. Even TO those who were active in
public affairs in those days, the recital will come
like revelation SO strongly does the author group
facts which all remember. but only as isolated
events. facts which many have forgotten. and other
facts which are now for the Grst time made public
Mr.. Buchanan is not regarded conscious tool
of the conspiracy; of him it 10 said:
But a weak and feeble old man-s.ill suffering
from the effects of the mysterious National Hotel
poisoning-was now in the Executive chair at the
White House. Well-meaninC. doubtless, and
Union man at heart. his enfeebled intellect
unable to see and hold firm TO- the only true course
He lacked clearness of perception decision of char
acter, and nerve lie knew secession was wrong,
but allowed himself to be persuaded that he had
no constitutional power TO prevent it.
The persistent rejection Of every compromise by
the Southern leaders is effectively described, and,
after showing the nature of the Crlttenden and
Peace Congress compromises, each complete sur
TO spurn such propositions as these-with all the
concessions to the slave power therein contained
was equivalent to spurnlng any and all PROPOSE
tons that could possibly be made, aud by doing
this the seeding States placed themseIves-as
they perhaps desifed-in an utterly irreconcila6le
attitude. and hence. to certain extent, which had
not entered INTO their calculations, weakened their
cause" In the eyes OF many of their friends in the
North in tho border States, and in the world They
had become Implacabcs Practically considered,
this was their great mistake.
The account of Mr.. Lincoln's Inauguration and
his touching appeal to the patriotism of the people
Is followed by passage in which the deep feeling
Of the writer is Shown
How the great and just and kindly BRAIN in the
dim shadows of that awful first night at the " hte
House, must have searched up and down and along
lhe IapYflhths OF history ana corridors OF time "
everyWheIc III the past for any analogy for excuse
Tor the madness OF this secession mOycmcnt-and
searched in vain.
With his grand and abounding faith in God how
Abraham Lincoln must have stormed the very
gates OF Heaven that night with prayer that he |
might be the means of securing peace and union to
his beloved but distracted country! How his great
heart must have been racked with the alterations
of ppe and foreboilng-of trusttulness and doubt
AnXiOusy he must have looked for the light OF the
morrow. that he might gather from the press the !
manner IN which his inaugural had been received |
Not that he feared the North-but the South How
would the wayward, wIlful, passionate South, |
cclved his profcred olive branch!
So strong was the impression actually produced
upon the people that the conspirators themselves
found Il necessary to begin the contest in order to
lOld the States already in revolt. Tins NJ. Gil
;hrlst, of Alabama gave warning to the conspira-
oIs Unless you sprinkle blood in the face Of
he people of Alabam. they viii be back in the old
Union III less than ten days. The next day, says
General Logan General Beauregard opened his
batteries on sum er, and Alabama was saved to tho
JOnfcdracy." There follows a strong review of the
influence of the tariff question in bringing about
The revolutionary movement and the uttcranccs
IF many leading of the South are cited
with great fullness. particularly the letter
Of Mr.. Lamar now Secretary of the Interior,
declaring that "any concession by the North will
fail to prevent secession, an Senator Yuees letter
the intention of spratOrs to remain in
heir places until March in order TO keen the
bands of Mr.. Buchanan tied and disable the Repub-
leans from effecting any legislation. The history
If the secret conclave of Southern leaders January
is given and it is noted that the message Of
Mayor Wood of this city, in its terms plainly die
ated by the rebel cabal. was sent to the Common
'ouncll the very next dav, recommending that New
lofk should secede from the Union and the State
10 those VINO have been familiar with debates in
congress. It was scarcely necessary at this late day
or General Logan to repel the charge of sympathy
With the rebellion in its earlier DAYS But in times
vhen partisan malice distorts or hides the pancst
ruhs, such a vlndication cannot be considered ont
4 place. and the facts are here presented rs they
we're in the Senate, with irresistible force
ieneral Logan himself adds interesting information
the position of senator Douglas In the following:
So far from this being the case the fact s-and it
here mentioned IN part to bring ont the interest
no point that, had he lived, Douglas would have
cen no idle spectator of the great war that was
bout TO be waged-that when Douglas visited
prlngiiei, ILL.,, TO make hat great speech in the
lttei part of Apr 1861 the writer went there also
see and talk over with him the grave situation ,
affairs, not only in the Nation generally but par.
cuiarly IN Illinois. And on that occasion Mr. |
Douglas said to him substantially: "Tho time has
ow arrived when must either be for or
gainst his country. Indeed. strongly do feel 4,
MS and that further dalliancc with tins question
useless, that shall myself take steps to join the
Tmy and fight for The maintenance of the Union7
10 tins the writer replied that he was equally ,
ell convinced that each and every man must take .
IS stand, and that he also purposed at an early