The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-03-16

compromise, such rs that Of the Missouri coili.
promise, will be effected, and the subject will
be again dismissed for the time being, to be
again taken up when some other portions of tho
Mexican territory shall be annexed.
This, probably, viii be the course of political
matters for year to come ; but no matter how
high the abolition excitement may run, we think
there is too much of that very valuable and USE
fu commodity among the masses of the people,
called common sense, to permit the subject to
seriously threaten the stability of our institu.
tons and government. 1t will probably be one
OF those scenes which occur in every country,
and which act the part of a safety valve to
steam engine, by allowing the extra steam to
escape and be dissipated. This proviso will fur
nish abundance OF material for the abolitionists
of New England to expend their eloquence on;
but they will hardly set the Potomac on fire, no
matter how fiery their speeches may be.
TIE TREATY AND THE PREss.-The newspaper
press seems to be yet good deal at fault in re-
lation TO the treaty. As great division appears
to exist in this region of public opinion, without
reference TO party, as prevailed in the Senate,
pending its secret debates. Generally, however,
the public prints are gradually consigning them
selves, with some degree of satisfaction, to that
state of peace which now dawns upon all.
We hope soon to be able to learn the charac-
ter of the secret debates in the Senate, and the
various votes given during the discussions. The
seal OF secrecy never ought to have been
put on in these matters. The attempt to
give an air of my stery to the public affairs of
republican government, is merely an endeavor,
as 1t were, to put on the absurd garments and RI
diculous suits used five centuries ego, and which
are never resorted to, by any persons, except in
| fancy dress balls or masquerades, in order to
make amusement, and to laugh at each other
The Senate of the United States, locking its
doors, and endeavoring to conceal what it is
doing, is just about as natural and sensible as
some old fool at one of our fashionable parties,
trying TO pass of as man of fashion, or to per.
senate the character of Punch.
Secrecy In public affairs is simple absurdity.
We should despiss tive should put it down.
Whenever we can get the secret proceedings of
the Senate we will publish them to the commu-
nifty, as we have already done, and always have
done. AL these matters are the property of the
American people, aud belong to them, and not
exclusively to the Senate, or any particular set
OF men who happen TO be temporarily IN power
for day, month, year.
POLITICAL FEELING IN IRELAND.-By every
steamer We learn that famine, political degra.
dation, and party strife, still fearfully agitate
that unfortunate country. The anti-English
class or portion of her inhabitants, which COM
prises three-fourths of her population is now d.
vided into three distinct parties, namely-the
old ard young ireland parties, and a split
from the "young Ireland" party, whose opin-
ions still more violent and hostile to Eng
land than the original physical force party.
This new party 10, IN its feeling and spirit,
good deal similar to the Irish confederation
here, and anxiousy awaits some favorable con-
junction of circumstances, for breaking out into
open hostility. This crisis they expect will ac-
crue on the death Of Louis Philippe, in which
event war between England and France is
confidently pre- dicted by many and, in such an
event, they hope that the dsaffected state
of Ireland may invite the French to at
tempt landing an army in that country,
which, if successful, would bring about
simultaneous rising in Ireland, which
England, while contending with her power
full neighbor, might fad it impossible to sup.
press They argue that in this event, their
schemes for placing themselves on an indepen.
dent footing with England, as distinct nation,
may not prove so ridiculous and Uiopan, as the
generality of people of other countries seem in
clined to believe. who consider her case hope
less, and that she must forever remain power.
less appendage to the British crown. They also
rely upon the sympathy aud active cooperation
of their countrymen abroad, especially in the
limited Ctatec aoa tho Rrif, cbr &c
RIGA; and moreover consider the disafTection of
the lrishmen IN the British army and navy, of
great importance to their cause. The Irish con.
federation in this city are energically advoca-
ting military organization here, to be prepared
Tor these coming events, which would enable
them to embark a considerable force of well.
drilled men, who would secretly proceed to
France, from whence they would seize on a
favorable opportunity of uniting with their coun-
trymen.
There is no doubt that, in her desperate cir
cumstances, the political excitement which now
reigns in Ireland must be immense, and serious
explosion may be looked for; but whether it will
happen at the favorable moment for success, has
yet to transpire.
THE SPRING ELEc rGoNs Next month the char.
ter election will take place for the election of
Mayor and Aldermen Of this great and glorious
city. And in this instance it becomes the dsty
of the tradesmen, mechanics, and laborers, to
look well before depositing their vote in the
ballot box, and see il the man thus up for office
is one who can be depended upon; study whe-
Their he is capable, honest, and willing to pro.
tect the poorer classes from the over burden.
some taxation which now exists to an extent
ot,If a ,tpo C,r 81
agement OF the city government, but merely OPP