Year: 1860

NOW WOrteuns JOurnls opposed TO Co-Operu-


tiOn OF the Slave States.


The New Orleans Crescent, of late date,
observes:


To cooperate now, would look as if the
States separately were afraid TO resume their
sovereignty, but had to huddle together and
back each other up, as if danger was appre-
hended, and it were safest to divide the re-
sponsibility. Such is not the temper or the
feeling of the people, and we are anxious
that the idea of cooperation shall not be so
interpreted. The powers which the States
granted to the Federal Government, under
the Constitution, were granted by the State
Governments on their own Independent mo-
tion-and it is, therefore, in accordance with
the fitness of things that these powers be re-
sumed in the same way that they were
yielded-that is, by separate State-action,
each State acting for herself.


The argument holds equally good with re-
spect to States subsequently admitted as in
regard to the old thirteen. Each new State
has been admitted "upon an equal footing"
with the rest. They are all upon terms of
absolute equality. Each new State is thus
entitled to all the rights, privileges and inn
the Constitution.


The proper time for the cooperation is af-
ter the act of separate withdrawal. Then
there will be cooperation between all the
seeding States, beyond all question. Of
this there can be no doubt. So that those
who wish for cooperation and a united
South have net only to wait until the States
are independent, when there will be a full
and free communion among them, and we
have little doubt of Southern Confederacy
for mutual defense and protection. That
this is the feeling among the different States
we need no further proof than the act OF
sending commissioners to the others, which
several of the Southern States are now do
ing.


The cause of us all is a common. cause
our interests are the same-our institutions
the same, our people homogeneous and we
have before US q common career of prosper
ity, independence and happiness. We will
naturally be drawn together into common
bond of union, including even the "border
States" as they are called, which may be a
little slower than the rest, but are bound
eventually to cast their lots with their
Southern sisters. We entreat our friends,
then, not to embarrass the cause of Southern
independence by talking about cooperation
now. 1t will be time enough for this after O
while, when it will not only be appropriate
but will meet with favor from all parties.


The New Orleans Bulletin remarks:


But what of cooperation? What does its
advocates expect to accomplish by its agency?
w @ Slull WdlL 10 De IN IQeOTY III is
highly commendable and acceptable. With
the slaveholding States we have common
interest and common destiny. We owe
them fealty and respect, and would act in
concert with them were it practicable. But
is it SOP Is there any prospect of all the
slaveholding States CO. operating on or before
the 4th of March, or any other specific time?
Satisfy US of this fact, and there are thou
sands in New Orleans who are for secession as
naancsifu Nuhn would anrnI fhanaoaIyyos -,
the ranks of the United Southern Action
party.


But how can cooperation be entire and
perfect as to be effective it should be, when
before it can be attempted, five of the cotton
States will have already seeded? There
can in that event, be no cooperation be-
tween States in the Union and States out OF
the Union. Their position and relations
will be entirely distinct, opposite and an
tagonistic. The idea involves an impossi-
bility.


Again, we are behind time in the attempt
to make cooperation available. Before our
convention meets, South Carolina, Georgia,
Alabama, Florida and Mississippi will have
taken some definite action. We will then
be in the line of safe precedent. There will
be no alternative left for us but to follow in
their wake.


There are many of our best citizens who
confidently believe in the virtue and efficacy
of this mode of proceeding. Their opinions
are entitled to respect. Whatever difference
there may be between us involves rather
question of expediency than of principle
| We like, at all times and upon all questions
of public policy, to have free discussions
Upon question of such immense import
ance we would invite and encourage discus
sion. Let all sides and all parties speak
out. When truth is left free to combat er-
ror, the great principle is sure to eventually
prevail. We shall attend the meetings in a
docile and tractable temper, and obtain all
the light we can.