Bold Utterance at the North.
We are indebted to the kindness of a friend for a late copy of the New York
Caucasian, a paper noted for the boldness of its protests against the usurpation of power by
Lincoln.
Some of the articles are interesting, both for their boldness and the truths they contain.
From one of the editorials, headed "The Destiny of the
West," we extract the following:
‘
The South, endangered by this huge and devilish lunacy of "Abolitionism," seceded, withdrew, and utterly refused to recognize as its
Chief Magistrate one who not only did not represent the will and wishes of a single-citizen in fifteen States, but who was pledged to carry out "principles" which, if he had ventured to avow them twenty years ago in the streets of this or any other Northern city, would have caused his being mobbed and beaten with rotten eggs!
But they should have submitted of course, to those pledged to use the
prestige and power of the common Government against "slavery, " against the peace, order, and safety of society, for the "gradual extinction" of the supremacy of the white citizen and in favor of the "impartial freedom" and consequent amalgamation with their negroes — for their children, if not themselves.
Yes, they should have submitted to the
form, of course, though the
spirit was utterly dead, and trusted to the ballot box (in the
North,) for safety, especially as the "friends of the
South" were in a minority in every Northern State, and there was not a single politician among them who did not assent to the fundamental principle of the Abolition party, and thus give up the whole question at the start!
On the contrary, they really believed themselves the best possible judges of their own safety, "both of the measure and of the mode of redress,"as advised long since by
Jefferson, and as the prospect of having their rights defended by others, while they stood still and looked on, was to say the least, rather dubious they took their destiny in their own hands, and placed themselves, for the time being, beyond the scope of a Government thus perverted from an instrument of common be nescience into a machine of sectional ruin.
Of course, we repeat, they did wrong.
They should have submitted, at all events, until all the departments of the
Federal Government, as well as all the Governments of the
Northern States, were in the hands of the anti Southern party, and then with the precedent of submission before them, and bound helplessly at the feet of the friends of "impartial freedom," why, they might resist perhaps if they could.
But they met the Abolition monster at the threshold, instead of fighting for the preservation of society at the hearthstone, and though blood has been poured out like water on the soil of
Virginia the cause of "impartial freedom" has thus far, miscarried in the land of
Washington.
If the
Northern "friends of the
South" had forced
Mr. Lincoln to abandon the "principles" of his party, and to stand by the decision of the Supreme Court, of cause there would have been no secession nor one drop of blood spilled in
Virginia; and therefore it is absolutely certain that the battles on the
Potomac are fought for the idea of "impartial freedom' on one side, and the preservation of society and the true principles of the
Constitution on the other.
But the battles in the
West are meant, at least by those who do the fighting, to represent something entirely different.
The
West is not yet abolitionized, and if the actual, honest question were before it, would fight for "negro slavery" rather than amalgamation or "impartial freedom" They are deluded and betrayed by the
East, and made the tools of
New England enpidity and fanaticism.
All the people living on the
Mississippi are the same people, have the same ideas, the same interests, and forced into conflict with each other by distant and remote communities, the battles they fight are among the saddest things the world ever saw, and enough to make even Ange's weep.
Those of the
upper Mississippi raise wheat, pork, beef stock, &c., while those below them raise cotton, tobacco, sugar, &c., and
Providence has bestowed on them this mighty river for the exchange of their products.
In the natural order of things, and the development of Democratic institutions, they should acquire Cubs, Hayti,
Central America, &c, and restore industry and civilization to the naturally fertile and genial regions now blasted and withered by the bi Abolition delusion, and, if necessary, the man at the northern sources of the great river should come to the aid of the man at its southern outlet for the extension of so called slavery and the accomplishment of their common destiny.
The citizen of
Illinois or
Wisconsin, in exchanging the products of his labor with the producer of the
South, should have sugar at six cents a pound and other things in proportion, and some day, when reason and interest, instead of folly, and crime, and fanaticism, rule the hour, all this will be realized.
Meanwhile, these people of the great valley, these American Democrats, whose interests and whose destinies are indivisible, are cutting each other's throats with the utmost fury.
As observed, there is no difference, even of abstract sentiment.
Unlike the
East, they refuse to amalgamate the negro in their system, as absolutely as in
Mississippi, and if really forced among them by
New England,
Illinois &c., would fight as promptly for "slavery, " or for retaining the negro in his normal condition, as does the former.
What then are these brothers in the great valley fighting for?
Why it is said a "flag!" Well, that would do, certainly, if the "flag" represents their principles; but if otherwise, if it is made the symbol of all that they hate, and all that is hostel to their own welfare, why then they are as besotted and object as the slaves of
England or
Russia, who ship idols in the form of
Kings.
Again, it is said that they are fighting for "free trade" on the
Mississippi — that is, fighting for the tariff plunderers of the
East, who tax them all alike, and against the actual free traders of the
lower Mississippi.
It is all a delusion; a criminal, awful mistake.
The men of the
West utterly abhor Abolitionism, Puritanism, tariffism, and all the other devilisms of
New England.
They want free trade and union with all
Americans; but, above all, with their own natural brothers of the
lower Mississippi, rather than with
Virginians or Vermonters; and if
New England resists this, and demands special privileges in the form of tariffs and, moreover, insists on cutting each other's throats to carry out her "idea" of negroes, then let her look to it that the disunion which she creates is not visited on her own guilty head.
’
Under the head of "A Massachusetts War," the
Caucasian has the following article:
‘
The journals of the day tell the story of a certain
Major Willard, of
Boston, mortally wounded at
Fredericksburg, who, in taking a final leave of his friends, solemnly charged those from
Massachusetts to stand bravely up to the fight, for
this was a Massachusetts war, and therefore every true son of that State should do his best to uphold its glory and honor, and bring the war to a glorious termination by subduing the "rebels of the
South" It is truly and emphatically a Massachusetts war, and the
State that never supported any other war, nor, from the hour of its creation, furnished one single soldier to support the
Government of the
United States, is fairly entitled to all the honors — if honors there be — in the present unfortunate conflict — When
Baltimore and
Washington were threatened by the
British in the war of 1812,
Mr. Madison made a relation for volunteers to defend the capital but not one single man was forthcoming from
Massachusetts.
But when a false and foolish pretence was set up that
Virginians were going to attach the capital
Massachusetts was all alive with patriotism, and her "brave and chivalrous sons," promptly resounding, drew the first blood from the surprised and unarmed citizens of
Baltimore.
Mr. Lincoln had scarcely entered the
White House, and sword fealty to
Massachusetts, before a regiment from that State was sent to garrison
Fort Monroe, and thus to outrage the feelings and insult the
amor propre of
Virginia.
Finally
Butler, the "hero of
Massachusetts," even before the regular invasion of
Virginia, was but in commend of
Fort Monroe, and expected, of course, to insult and humiliate the Virginians to the utmost extent of his capacity.
Afterwards, when New Orleans had been captured by the brave old navy of the country, again
Massachusetts was thrust in the foreground, and
Butler placed in command of the
Gulf.
Indeed, in every instance where "power" was to be won and money made in this war
Massachusetts was in the advance, whether it was to carry off a state library, steal the swords of brave men, or plunder the property of non combatants.
Well, it is all right.
It is the only war she has ever supported, and let her claim its honors, in Heaven's name.
But it is only fair that she should also enjoy its results.
That will be half a million of diseased and broken down men, incapable of supporting themselves in the future, a debt of two thousand millions, and perhaps, if the proclamation is successful, half a million of big and little negroes and, as far as she is concerned, the loss of the
Union forever What a beautiful State, to be sure!--half a million of paupers, and half a million of "free
Americans of
African descent." and a debt of two thousand millions, and worse than all, with no more chance to plunder other States through her tariff humbugs!
Nor is this likely to be the whole affair.
All the Abolition lunatics of the other States, with "honest old Abe"at their head, will, most probably, emigrate to
Massachusetts, where they can enjoy "impartial freedom" to their heart's content, and contemplate, at their leisure, the run and desolation that surround them, and which they labored with the energy of davits to inflict on others, but which in the unerring justice of Heaven,
was at last inflicted on themselves.
’
An article on "Free Discussion" closes thus:
‘
Any attempt to revive their Basilles or to fotter the press again would be the signal for civil war in the
North.
The firm resolve has gone forth — the advice of
Senator Saulsbury is now recorded in the inmost hearts of thousands: "Rather than submit to illegal arrest, to defend themselves to the last" Rather than to see a free press. "the palladium of the people's rights." again stricken down, thousands would sell their lives in its defence.
The people are sick and tired of the inanities follies, and stupid despotisms of this weak and wicked Administration.
They will not be trifid with any more.
They must not be provoked.
It will not do to make new experiments in tyranny.
A single match now applied, would produce a fearful explosion — If people do not think we are living in revolution any times, let them attend any Democratic meeting, and see how the most ultra and extreme sentiments are applauded.
A bold, bad man, now set our city racing with blood.
We conjure Republicans, as they value peace and order, to adhere to the
Constitution and the laws.
Democrat will never vitiate them.
They never have, but if forced to choose between submission to further violation of them or resistance to wrong the decision will not be doubtful.
No individuals have so much interest in adhering strictly to law as Republicans, and if they have any faculty in "discerning the sages of the times." it is not necessary for us to point out the reason why.
’
