The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-25

S II; d s;s;,.sss & 8 q i i
Total. 80. i59 81 $50 1879 81 $50 iS9 81 $50
BY this vote, it will be seen that the first prac-
teal step has been taken that may lead ultimately
to the abolition of slavery in the District of Colum
| bla The agitation of the question must, however,
stop at that point as, under the constitution, Con-
gress has no power to interfere, In any way, with
| the institution of slavery in any OF the Southern
States; nor do we believe that any crisis of affairs
or the progress of mere fanatcal opinion, will
venture II Congress to transcend the limits of the
consttuton-to invade the original compact of the
Union-which secures to the Southern States per-
feet immunity from all interference by the North
ern or free States, with their right of property
slaves. The union of the States was based on
that principle of forbearance, and to the llmlta-
tons laid down IN the constitution itself; and al
denunciatons growing out of any special legsl
lation IN Congress over the District of Columbia
on this subject, will only be matter OF nine days.
excitement in either the North or the South. The
people of this country-both Northern and South-
ern-are emlnently rractlcal and they will not
allow themselves to be carried away in such
manner as to eopardlze the comfort, the peace the
prosperity of the country, account of the violent
excitement and foolish ebu!tions of the two ultra
parties IN Washlngton--that Of the South or that
! of the North.
| Previous to the reception OF the report that
may be expected from the committee on this
| subject, and to the debate consequent there
on. there will be great deal of excitement
out of Congress, In the newspapers, and IN
various parts of the country, particularly In the
South, and more particularly in South Caro-.
lima. Already the letter writer's from Washing
ton describe the glowing eloquence of Southern
members around the House, IN the Hobbies, out of
doors-everywhere. We are prepared for these
beautiful and exciting descriptions; for politicians,
be they sectional or otherwise, must tume and
fret TO the fullest extent, IN order to make their
constituents believe that they are in earnest. The
newspapers are taking up the same tone. Mr..
Rtclne, the government journalist now luxuriat-
ing on the cool side of seventy, warns up on the
subject as If he were young man, just out of his
| teens He threatens and tears away, in conse-
quence of this attempt to interfere with Southern
institutions, which he believes are menaced by this
first practical attempt TO abolish the slave trade
in the District of Columbia. The anti slavery men
of the North will be equally warm, equally con-
vlnced, and equally resoute; and if the great mass
of sensible people throughout the Unon-in the
| South, as well as In the North, in the East and
! in the West-had not more GOODNESS and delibera-
ton than their Senators and members Of Congress,
and their journalists of all kinds have 1t would be
an unhappy thing for the Union of these States,
and the glory of the American name. But we do not
| apprehend much danger, even II law should be
passed aboshing the slave trade the District of
! Columbia. Congress has the power to do it; and
if it choose to exercise that power, 1t will be no
! infringement on the constuton-no menace
towards the rights of the South, which are Sc
| cured TO them by the express words of the
constitution. When that instrument ls invaded ii
Will be time enough to talk, as some Of the ultras
do, about secession, dissolution of the Union, and
the breaking up of the present confederacy. We
cannot help thinking, however, that all these me-
naces, and all this excitement, have been brought
on by the ultras OF South Carolina, just as much
| as they have been by those of Massachusetts and
! the Northern States. These men, at the two ex-
tremes OF the Union, have agitated the general
question so much as to compel the great mass of
! the representatives from the North to follow the
original convictions and impulses of Northern
sentiment IN that matter, which of course are IN
opposition to slavery. The present revolutionary
state of Europe, the singular position and example
presented by the United States, all concur in CIV
ing to this agitation for the abolition OF slavery IN
the District of Columbia, fresher and keener edge
| than ever has marked the discussion of any ques-
ton for the last fifty years. AS for the Californian
| and New Mexican question, and the Wilmot pro-
viso, they are mere bagaelle; and we do not sup
| pose, although Congress may talk necessarily con-
| corning them, that the members will be permitted
TO legislae on the question of slavery, IN relation
to these territories at all. The population in those
regions will settle them as free States long before
| Congress will have finished discussing the first
| resolution on the subject.
| In the midst of all this, we really would advise
the South instead OF wasting their strength, lungs,
| and pens in minor matter, and on topic within
| the limits OF the constitution, that they should
commence at once the agitation of the great ques-
| ton of the annexation OF Cuba; and that would
test the strength of the North, and draw dividing
| line between the practical men and the fanatics
In that the South would triumph, for we are per-
fecty satisfied that they could accomplish the pur-
| pose IN the course OF few years.
DEATHS ON THE LAKR.--A week ago last Mon
day a lake boat, on the passage from Morlah to
Westport laden with iron ore, was suddenly capsized
| nv A fauall and the board three In number,
| were ali drowned. We learn that one was young
man named clark, from vergennes. As to the others,
| we know nothing, nor have We heard whether their
bodies have been found The ore was washed, by the
motion OF the water into one end OF the hold so that
the other Of the vessel to the top OF the
ter, shortly after the socident-Bwh"stsn (VD
COrylv