The border Slave States are still oscillating between the old government and the new. Their present attitude is perhaps, the very best they could occupy so far as the Confederate States are concerned. They are neither so averse to the Union as to make the North despair of keeping them in it, nor yet so much attached to it as to remove the fear that they may, unless new guaranties are embodied in the constitution, join in the secession movement. They are too great and powerful to be given up or driven out hastily by the north and they ask so much concession such wide and fatal departures from the cherished objects and policy of the Republicans, as render , it difficult, if not impossible, for the North to come to their terms. If they are forced into the Confederate States, a government is at once created which can defy the sword, and which becomes the controlling power on the continent;—an empire in itself, with room for unlimited expansion towards the Equator. On the other hand, the concessions necessary to retain them in the union, if made, will in all probability, shiver the unity and antagonize the extreme and moderate elements of the Republican party. Between the equally dangerous horns of this dilemma that party is hesitating and embarrassed, knowing not whither to go to escape the destruction which stares in its face wherever it turns. In the meantime the Confederate States, have abundant time to deliberate and to arrange for the stability and defence of their nationality. In the indecision and bankruptcy of the old government they have found the opportunity, and are improving it, to lay, broad and deep, the foundations of future empire, arid to fortify it with impregnable defences of everlasting truth. What may be the ultimate action of the border slave States remains to be solved by the future. We doubt not that a few years, if not a few days or months, will find them with the Confederate States in fact as they are now in feeling and interest. Until then, they will stand, a tier of kindred and friendly States to protect their border from invasion and a presence of fear to awe the counsels of the North into the channels of conciliation and common sense. No war, no coercion against their brethren of the Seceding States has been proclaimed by their people, through their legislatures and Conventions, as the first condition of their continuance in the Union, and the latest action and utterances of the Administration which has just come into power indicate that their warning will not be readily disregarded. We have sought to dwell together with the North in the bonds of Unity and peace; if we find that to be impossible, we have determined to part and part in peace. If in peace, the South will be divided only in name; if not in peace, then the South will again become one and in divisible
Western Sentinel, Winston-Salem, NC