The New York herald., 1845-01-07
NEW YORK HERALD.
A New Crisis Approaching-The Abolition
Question In New York


Question In New York.
Wegive in our columns TO, day, a most remarka.
BILE and extraordinary article, purporting to come
from the celebrated Alvan Stewart, Esq, one Of
the principal leaders and representatives of the abo-
lltion party in the State Of New York, ever since
the moment of its organization This paper
may be considered as the manifesto Of the abo-
iions's of this State, numbering now nearly 10000
in'one compact party. 1t declares their present
purposes-their vlews-their ieeliugs-their notions
of Southern slavery-and all the consequences
which may spring from such convictions in their
minds.
Although we differ entirely from many of the
statements contained in this remarkable document,
and disapprove in the most decided manner Of its
denuncatons OF the Southern planters, we are
yet unwilling to withhold any of these matters
from the public, because by viewing the whole
ground Of the crisis which is now approaching in
this country on this question, we will the better
enable those whose interests are connected with
the perpetuation of the Union it now exists, to
take time by the forelock. and prevent a denous-
ment that would be inevitably fatal 10 tree nstitu.
tions There is bitterness of feeling-a refined
energy OF reproach-and an obstinate blindness
to the really excellent and amable characteristics
of the Southern institution of slavery evinced in
all the movements Of the abolitioniss, which indi-
cate that spirit of ruthless fanaticlsm is more en-
gagged in them, than any feeling connected with
philanthropy or patriotism. 1t is proper that all
this should be known and clearly dscerned. We
must not conceal, but expose and grapple with ap-
preaching dangers.
We cannot shut our eyes to the various indica-
tions of settled purpose in the various sections
OF this Union to bring about important crisis
the history of the country, the end of which no
man can foretell. In South Carolina we see the
State Legislature and the public funcionaries, and
the popular voice assuming such resolute, deter
mined, and energetic character, as clearly indi-
cate that In that region no interference will be
permitted with the existing institutions, and no
compromise allowed. They even 60 farther, and
denounce any interference with SO much bitterness
that one would suppose that they would to GER
tain extent rather the dissolution of the Union
ITSELF than any further steps against their domestic
institutions matured in any other section Of the
country. Whilst this is going on in South Caroli-
ma, an equally energetic, but directly opposite
spirit has just developed itself in Massachusetts,
In pamphlets and declarations, in petitions and po
htical movements, the abolitionlsts Of Massachu-
setts have declared their purpose to be the efiectng
OF change in the Constitution OF the United
States, the ultimate abolition Of slavery, and the
expunging Of that clause which gives protecting
power to the owners of slaves in the South, the
alternative.of dissolution of the Union at once.
This spirit Of fraternal discord on the question of
slavery is famed and invigorated and strengthened
by the movements in this State, and in the other
free States; and all lands, from all the different
centres Of action on this question, we see the
tokens that some serious collision of public opinion
is about to take place throughout the country on
this important subject of controversy, now preci.
pitated on us all by the discussions on the annexa-
tion oi Texas.
During the last fifty years, the Constitution Of
this country, its present form, has work remark
ably we'll. Il is true this Constitution in its prncti-
cal workings has exhibited itself altogether differ
emily from what was anticipated by its founders
1t was supposed by these venerable sages that a
House Of Representatives, emanating Immediately
from the people, and Senate coming from the
States, would constitute a mutual check, and,
united, present counterpoise to the single lnfu-
encs of the Executive, thus forming free repre-
sentative Government Of the purest, most liberal,
and most energetic character. The political action
Of the country, under the Constitution has present
ted quite different results from those anticipated.
The checks and counterpose have been quite differ
ent. From the commencement Of the administration
of Washington, eIhave seen the organization oftwo
great popular parties, dividing the Union into two
great masses, without reference to House Of
Representatives or the Senate, and during the last
fifty years these two parties, acting on each other
unfortunately through the two Houses Of Con-
gress, and through the President, have produced
all our legislation-a our negetiations-and all the
LII - - e - IL
country gives practical record since that time.
The government of this country has disclosed a
piece Of machinery altogether different from that
chalked down in the Constitution. The existence Of
these two great popular parties, with somewhat diff
ferent tendencies, and differing only certain do
mestic and foreign questions, but generally agreeing
the main principles of the Constitution has given
us all the prosperity which has spread itself over
the land during the present century up to this time.
If such a natural arrangement Of the working ele-
ments of the government should be broken up by
any new principle of division or disturbance, we
do not know what may be the consequence to the
peace and integrity Of the country hereafter
Now, then, we hold that the introduction of the
element OF abolition in the Northern States, with
the violent, but quite natural, opposition TO that
element developed in the South, which has made
its appearance during the last few years in this
country, constitutes one of the most gloomy and
threatening aspects Of the present time. We have
time to-day to investigate this subject in all its
details. It is too vast to be disposed of in single
article. But enough has been !said to show that
the aspect Of the time is threatenng and threaten
ing from the presence and progress of these dis
turbing elements. We believe that abolition is a
spirit of evil in the North and in the South. This
spirit controls 900 voters in the free States
These spirits are called from the "vasty deep -
and If they should increase and agitate, the
quences may be the disturbance of the relations
now subsisting between the two great parties Of
the country, and the production of crisis, ending
in civil war, before we know where we are.
We have much to say on this subject before we
have done with it,