The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-07-21

publication y
minutes ccs and finished at Is minutes past o'clock
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The New Agitation of the Slavery Question
A new and terrible agitation of the slavery ques-
ton, in connection with the territories, is now
approaching the channels of public opinion with
such gigantic steps as will attract the attention Of
the whole country, to a much greater extent than
Will that of the mere contest for the spoils and the
Presidency. The extraordinary report of new
compromise, proposed by Mr.. Clayton, from the
committee of eight in the Senate, has opened vi
It's aspect in a new, a fresh, and remarkable, but
cowardly, view.
This journal, two days ago, was the first news
paper in the United States that had the sagaciy OIL
enterprse-by liberal use of steam electricity
and money comblned-to give the people of this
community the first intimation, the first account
the first report of the new and original phase
which the slavery question will now rapidly as
sumo throughout every State of this confederacy
Not single journal in this city made solitary
effort to procure that inelli sence, but the Herald
Even those journals which call themselves leading
and they do lead in dullness and Incidence
! have not as yet touched the subject; and the few
who have made comments it, will be found
copied in our columns to-day, for the purpose of
showing the commencement of the agitation, the
divergence of opinion, the difficulty of adjustment,
and the new crisis which begins 10 loom from
the distance, over the country.
| We also give, in connection with this important
subject, the bill which was proposed by the COM
mlttee of the Senate, together with very remark
able and concise opinion, attributed to Judge Nc
Lean, of the United States Supreme Court, which
was first published in Washington journal, In De-
har Last thaco rt.o on1
tees, must command the attention of the country,
far beyond the mere scramble for the Presidency,
which actuates, 10 such an extent, the miserable
and corrupt little cliques and coteries of Office
seekers and office holders, scattered throughout
The land.
What will be the course and tendency of this
new agitation! How Is the slavery question to
be settled in the last resort! What reception will
be given to this compromise, by the various
parties throughout the country, and by the people
al large, IN the North and in the South!
II Is difficult to answer these questions. Already
the two leading journals published at Washington,
under the control Of the two parties there-the
wings and the democrats-both unite IN praising
and approving this new compromise, as the hes
mode of getting rid of the agitation, during the
present crisis of public affairs, and perhaps with
special reference to the Presidential election. But
the influence which controls those journals, is part
and parcel of the same influence which brought
about that compromise IN the committee
The people and the free press, and all the
other regions of the Union, are no parties to
the ntrigues of the cotencs at Washington
For sometime past an effort TO throw off
the shackles Of party, and erect mental inde-
pendence on its own platform, has been made
throughout the coniederacy, beyond any former
period of our history. We are persuaded, there
fore, from the symptoms which have already shown
themselves, that the discussion aud settlement of
this question in Congress will by no means settle
II out OF doors, but will produce an animated and
warm controversy throughout the whole press and
the whole Union, on the cowardy conduct of Con-
gress, in seeking TO shove it upon the Supreme
Court.
Now, in this discussion and in this controversy
what positions will the various parties In the
raj sections of the country, take! The South have
their interests 10 secure and their conduct and
treatment of the compromise may depend on the
confidence which theypace in the Supreme Court,
In reference to this particular question. In the
North, we are much afraid, from appearances al
ready indicated, that all parties will succumb to
one movement, and that is, a determination that,
under any circumstances and all contingencies,
there shall be extension of the slavery institu-
ton OF the South into the free territory acquired
under the treaty with Mexico. BY the mode pro-
posed in The new compromise, of submitting this
question TO the Supreme Court other species of
servile institution can be legazed there, except
what exists, or has existed, under the Mexican re-
public; and this description of servtude resembles
Il r. 4 H.. Il
ries ago, than II does the peculiar institution of the
Southern States. There is strong tendency IN the
public mind here for such consummation The
movement of Mr.. Van Buren, and the Landowners,
is merely drop in the current. The motive which
has stimulated HIM, is simply personal revenge to-
wards General Cass--nota regard for the slaves in
California, or freedom any where; for Van Buren,
never had any regard for any thing Beyond mis-
own interest The wings OF the North, as party,
are equally lmbued with the same sentiments on
this particular question:; and notwithstanding the
resolution put forth by the regular democrats, who
support General Cass, there is strong, wild, un-
formed impulse among them, to JON the general
movement In favor OF keeping this territory free
from any other species of serviude than that
which existed under the laws Of Mexico
II, therefore, the North, unitedly, should carry
this point what will the South do What policy
will they pursue How will they obvlate Its con-
sequences, or will they come TO the resolution to
sepa ate from the Union and set up Tor themselvesl
If they were to do so, they would be in a worse
POSITION than they are in at present. They would
be hemmed in between Mexico and the States of
the North, as with border Of prarlc in daily con-
fiagrailon-exposed TO all sorts OF agitation and
movements on their borders, that would soon
reach and Inflame par; Of their own population
L ~. However, said in some quarters, that Mr..