Year: 1861




In a recent debate in the United States
Senate, participated in by Seward, Douglas,
Mason and Hale, a spirit of fraternal kind
ness was evinced on the one side, and the
opposite on the other. Gov. Seward, with
an urbanity and moderation worthy of the
man and the crisis endeavored by every
means in his power as far as human Ian
guage could go, to pacify and conciliate the
secessionists. He was cordially sustained
by Douglas, who, on this occasion at least,
failed to give vent to his chagrin at his de-
feat, but came up like patriot to soothe
the angry spirit of disunion. These two
distinguished Senators expressed an earnest
desire to see the unhappy dissensions of
the country settled amicably and indicated
a willingness and anxiety TO remove all OBJ
stacles in the way of satisfactory adjust
ment as far as lay in their power. They
were met by no such corresponding spirit
on the part of the secessionists. Mason,
who was the mouth piece of the disorgan-
izers on the occasion, endeavored to tor
ture the language of Gov. Seward into
menaces and threats as if he did not care
to see concession made having tenden-
cy to harmonize the country. Such it
must be confessed, is too much the dispo-
sition evinced by the apologists of disuni-
on. Rule or ruin has been the policy in
the government, and such is avowedly their
determination either in or out of the Union.
They evidently think their part in the
drama is to demand, and the part of the
north to accede. You accede or we'll Sc
cede, is the threat and the ultimatum-
While this spirit exists there can be no
Union worthy of the name, and did we en-
tertain the idea that such men as Mason
the south, we should estimate Union
with them at very low figure indeed. A
Union which must tolerate exactions from
one section continually, 'and require all the
fraternal feelings to be exhibited from the
other section, is Union requiring di-
vorce.


But We are firmly impressed that the
public sentiment of the southern people
has not been expressed, and, indeed, it
seems to be .he settled purpose of the ring
leaders not to permit it to be. Virginia
and Tennessee are beratedat a..great rate be-
cause they have allowed the sovereign
voice of the people to be heard in the af-
fairs of the nation. Anappeal to the foun-
tain of all power is not safe for the dema-
gogues who rule the hour in the insurrec-
tionary States.


The high-handed government they are
now attempting to uphold, is a foretaste of
the kind of one they design to establish if
their wishes are fulfilled. a sort of mill
tary despotism which shall know no liberty
but that Of the governing oligarchy, is the
object they seek. Withdraw all opposition
to these mad-caps and let their hellish de-
signs be carried out, and slave despotism
will be established along the Gulf of Mexi-





should indeed have any mails, would be
violated, every man not known to be des-
pot at heart would be subject to espionage,
free press and free speech would be un-
known, and darker deeds than ever dis
graced Nero or Caligula would be perpc-
trated with impunity none daring to breathe
whisper of dissent.


To prevent a relapse into barbarism the
National Government owes it to herself, to
the terrified Union loving people of the
SOUTH whose voice is hushed, and to the
cause of liberty and humanity cherished by
all uncontaminated hearts throughout the
civilized world, to prevent as a last re source
by force of arms the establishment of a
despotism on our soil.