The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-06-30

wAsmIsoros, June q, 1913.

The proposition Of Mr.. Bright to decide the pre-
sent question of slavery in newly acquired territory
by an extension of the line of the Missouri COM
promise to the Pacific, the terms OF that COM
pact, is the only means by which the danger OF an
acrimonious sectional conflict, which now me-
naces the integrity of the Union, can be averted.
The extreme parties of the North and the South
are not now sufficiently cool to hearken to the die
tates of reason Argument on the question is vain.
Each seems to consider his own construction Of
the constitution as the only safe and correct one.
Precedents ars--perhaps -disregarded.-
The South is divided into two parties, as well as
the North There is the South Carolina party,
who deny that any power on earth, either terrific
rial or federal, can hinder citizen taking his
slaves into newly acquired territory and holding
sipp, party, who believe that with the question oil
slavery in newly, acquired territory, Congress has
no right to interfere but that II Is for the people OF
such territory to decide for themselves whether or
not thew shall permit 1t to exist AT the North, on
the other hand, the Wilmost proyiso men 0eneve
that Congress has power to proniDlt the introduc,
ton Of slavery into newly acquired territory anu
that il is right and fitting 1t should; while the
Cass men do not differ materially from the doc
trine that obtains IN Mississippi. .
Now il would take Jury OF Soons to say which
party is in the right, The positions OF each are
Sustained by plausible reasoning. One party ap-
peals 10 the ordinance OF S7, which the opposite
par,v declare is of no binding force, having been
procured by questionable means, and being OF more
questionable expediency Each party loses Itself
in maze of contradictory authorities, and Madi-
son is quoted against Madison, Jefferson against
Jefferson. the ''Fcderalis against the ''Federal-
st until one is led 10 the conclusion that prece-
dent is utterly valueless, and argument OF no va
ldity. ~.
This chaotic state of public opinion the pohtl-
clans wish to fuse into new means OF acquiring
power. If their selfish efforts, together with the
n e -. ,,ch rvrrAo tho q
permitted to shape themselves into action, the con-
sequence will be the erection, on the ruins OF the
old parties, of most dangerous antagonism be-
tween the North and the South. The end OF such
a struggle, it is fearful to contemplate. This cry
of free territory is most infiammatory engine
in the hands of talented and INSCRIPTIONS men.
If they were actuated by deep CONSCIENTIOUS feel
ing on the subject their efforts would be muSn eSs
nection with the names of the leaders OF the pre-
sent movement in the North, would be q mockery,
at which they themselves would laugh loudest.
Their efforts spring from two motives-revenge,
and self-sggrandsement
It being impossible, then, to decide this question
by rational argument, both from the great diffi,
Guilty of the subject, and because the public mlnd
willreject all appeals to judgment; and great dan
ger existing that if it be not speedily adjusted IN
some manner, the politicians will use It to the
great detriment of the public weal-the only mode
Of avoiding the manifold dangers that menace the
stability Of the Union, is to effect an amicable
compromise of the difficulty, on terms which have
before now been agreed upon for the adjustment Of
a similar question. The North should be satisfied
with the terms of the Missouri compromise. BY
that compact slavery aud involuntary servitude are
forever prohibited north of thirtysx degrees thirty
minutes, leaving the existence OF the institution
south OF that line to the inhabitants to decide, ac
cording to their views and interests. There is
good reason to hope that this proposition will pass
the Senate. What may be its fate in the other
house, is a problem.
Mr.. Benton and Mr. Dix find themselves in a
very peculiar position. Mr.. Benton's ardent partl-
sanship for Mr.. Van Buren, is we'll known; and to
find himself now opposed to him at the close Of
his political career, must he extremely painful
Mr. Dix has pledged himself to no effort against
Mr. Cass, and as it is by no for his interest
that Mr. Van Buren, should succeed, he will,
doubtless like true friend, endeavor to lnJure
the latter as much as possible in private That he
should take sides openly with either. is not to be
expected from Mr.. Dix. GALvIENsIs.