Year: 1859







The Tribune scouts the idea that the
Union is in danger. We hope the IriJ-
me is right, and we are prepared, for the
present ut least, TO assume that it is so.
We do not propose, for our own part, to
consider the Union in special peril, until
some more imperative reason for dissolv-
ing it shall manifest itself than is yet ap-
parent. But our grounds of confidence
are radically different from those of the
Tribune. The Tribune finds arguments
of security in its contempt Of the South.
We rest upon our respect for the North
for its justice, good feeling and COM
mon sense. When either section can not
remain united to the other without dis
grace, or without ruin, the Union will be
dissolved-or at all events ought to be
dissolved as speedily as possible. But
that time, we trust, has not yet arrived,
and it is the duty Of craftsmanship, if
we have any statesmen, TO make its arri-
val impossible.


One thing, however, is very clear: if tie
sentiments and efforts of the Tribune are
to rule the counsels of the North, we shall
owe the preservation Of the Union, if it
is preserved, to the pusillanimity or the
hclplessncss of The southern States. If
the Tri6me'S views on slavery are made
the basis of action by the national gov
crnment, the South must protect itself
against the North by force of arms, eli
thcr in the Union or out Of it. We have
already quoted the T1mJune's declaration,
that an armed invasion of Virginia from
the North, for the emancipation of her
slaves, can not be called sectional move
ment; but that such invasions, as they
conduce To the real good of the whole
country, are thoroughly national in their
character In its issue of Saturday, the
Tribune proceeds step further and be-
gins the vindication OF John Browns act
on grounds of morals and Of law. Un-
der the thin disguise of presenting Browns
personal opinions, the Tribune lays down
The principles concerning slavery by which
its own teachings are constantly COM
mended TO public favor. 1t urges that
Brown held any law for slavery to be null
and void; that every slave in Virginia,
consequently, had a perfect light TO his
freedom; that if tho slaves hcsitatcd, from
ignorance or timidity, TO assert this right,
it was his duty, as man and Christian,
to enlighten and assist them, and that, on
grounds of self-defence, he was justified
in resisting, With pixies, rcvolvers and ri
fes, any attempt chat might be made TO
stop him in his endcavor. And while it
"supposcs, for the sake of the argument"
that Brown may have been mistaken on
some of these points, it intimates no be-
lief that he was, but assumes throug ghout
the essential truth and justice of his opin-
ions and his acts.


The Tribune thus holds the armed in
vasion of tho South, for the purpose of
emancipating the slaves, to be not only
national in its character, but essentially
just and right. II apparently comedies,
or has done so heretofore, that such n
course of action may be unwisc and i'm
politic--but not that it is wrong, or to be
condemned on any grounds of morality or
public law.


The Tribune seeks TO engraft these
sentiments upon the public mind, and to
make them the basis of action for the re-
publican party and the northern States.
Suppose it should succeed; does il be-
leve the Union could exist under such a
state of things? Would it expect the
South tamely to submit to n Federal gov
ornment which should make these doc
trines the ground of its public action
1t can not evade the issue by saying il
docs not ask or expect the Federal gov.
ernment to take any part in carrying these
principles into practice. Itcertainly void
demand that the government should moi
, interfere against them. 1t would claim
that, while tho national authorities had
, perhaps no right to initiate proceedings
for the liberation of slaves, they would be
in duty bound TO remain neutral between
| the South and those who might act up
on the principles which it thus lays down


But would il expect the South to assen


TO such a view of tho obligations of th,


Federal government


HiLherto the republican party, and tn,
great body of the people of the northern
I, States, have disclaimod steadily and siren


uously any rirht 10 interfere with slavery