Year: 1861

"e" III o'oouy conuict IN time OF peace, OF
at least without proclamation of var. Is it
wise or humane to subject their loyalty to so.
severe test unless there is the most inpera
tive necessity for so doing U


Again, the leaders of revolution ardeutly
desire that the attempt at reinforcement should
be made. They would, if possible, put the
Government in false position, as seemingly
striking the first blow. Their only hope of
success in their revolutionary movement is by
provoking q war, in which the border States
would make common cause with the seeded,
and be dragged into eventual secession. Is it
best to crafty them2


In the next place, the true Union men Of
the South, who are the best judges of their
own position, and of the public sentiment Of
their own section, desire that the relief Of the
fort should not be attempted. They are strong.
ly of the opinion that they would be greatly
strengthened at home, and the loyalty of the
doubtful confirmed, by the solid assurance
thus given that the policy Of the Administra'
ton is not of subuga,ion, but of selEde
fence-that it is pacific and conciliatory
They feel that South Carolina should be
treated not as revolted province, but as q
disobedient child, to whom forbearancc should
be shown, and who should be reclaimed by
wise paternal authority, but not destroyed.


Lastly, our Government is peculiar one.
1t is an experiment of the selEgovernment of
the people, 1t is founded, not so much on
brute force, as on moral power. If by that
moral power it can achieve bloodless victory
over those who have conspired against it, if it
can accomplish peaceful solution of our ma.
tional troubles, and in time bring back the
seeded States iuto their orbit of obcdicnt revo-
luton round the central authority. it would
afford a spectacle for the admiration OF the
world. In all other countries, revolution
such as we have experienced, would have
caused rivers of human blood to flow if in our
own it shall be subdued by the natural and lie.
gitimate operation OF the Government in the
execution of the laws, and by the returning
conviction Of its superior blessings and adapt.
edness to our political condition, it will be the
most sublime, and perhaps ultimate, triumph
of representative institutions.


We have thus favored the policy Of peace in
the present emergency. We may have erred,
for to err is human; but if SO, we feel conf
dent that we have erred in the direction in which
the public mind Of the country is tending.
Very few of US, we apprehend-even those who
have been most strenuous for the maintenance
of the Government by the high hand of power
do not find that gradual change has come
over the spirit of oul dream" within the past
few weeks, and that time has softened the
asperities of our feeling. Should not this fact
remind US Of the danger that the clearness Of
our vision may be obscured by the excitement
Of the jur, and almonish us that we do not
allow any remains Of human passion and vim
dictiye sentiment to iucite us to u course our
calm and more deliberate judgment might
not approve. Let us all lock at the present
difficulties calmly, trus,ngly, in the full con.
viction Of right and purpose of duty, and in
cheerful reliance upon that Providence which
has heretofore guided our destiuies as people,
and We may yet be enabled to say at is
well" with the country.


For ourselves we are willing 10 leave tue grave
question to the decision of those TO whom it is
committed by the Constitution and the laws, up
on whom its chief responsibility rests, and who
enjoy the best opportunities Of forming broad
and comprehensive judgment upon it :; and We
have all confidence that this decision, as it will
be guided by honesty and sobriety, by wisdom
and patriotism, so it will receive the general
and generous approval of the American people.
N.Y. The n Y TriLuue has the fnllnwinn.