The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-12-05

dem and influence Of those five great men Of the
Senare-Messrs. Clay, Calhoun, Cass, Benton and
Webster They represent al the extremes Of the
Union on this subject, and II is upon their united
deliberations that our only hope Of a compromise
depends.
1t is pretty evident that the whig party is dis
organized before the meeting Of the House that
the administration is in hopeless minorlty-,hat
il do netting in Congress till this slavery ques-
ton is settled; and that IN settling this dispute by
any process whatever, 1t must lose strength in one
section or the other, and perhaps in both. But if
this is the consequence of action, delay is still
more dangerous. The Union rises above all other
considerations and it will be subject Of public
thanksgiving if party organizations are broken up,
so that, out of the fragments, another party shall
se to settle this harrassing question of slavery, in
such way as to restore the harmony of the Union.
To the President and the old heads Of the Senate
we look for this result. The House is in state
of revoution-we can only look to the Senate.
Mr.. ColLAMER's PosT OFFICE REPORT. -Much
to our as,onlshment, we find in Philadelphia
paper the report Of Mr.. Collamer, Postmaster Ge-
neral in all i,sslength and breadth, even before the
organization OF the two houses Of Congress, or the
ment will be found in our columns to-day. II is a
very fair business-llke paper, and shows the pros
renty of that department during the last year, to
very great advantage. The increase in the
revenue amounts to s69l, 1872 20. We are also
informed that during the last year nearly seven
thousand changes have been made in the
personnel of the Post Office department, and Of
this number nearly three thousand have been re-
moved without cause assigned, other than that
of difference in general political sentiment be-
tween the administration and the postmasters re-
moved From the foundation of the government
TO the present day, no such general sweep, for
opinions sake-no such terrible prescription for
political reasons, has ever distinguished the Anne
rican government The other branches Of the re-
port, and the foreign mail service, are quite inte-
resting and unique; sometimes degeneratng into
the laughable. We shall examine and criticize
these matters at our leisure.
On the whole the document presents some good
and some bad traits, very much like the Post
master General himself, whose mind seems to be
made up of odds and ends, picked up In some stray
conner in Vermont. In such prosperous country
as this, the revenue from the Post-ofce department
must always 90 on increasing; but of the ideas
and notions entertained by the Postmaster General
are fit only for ridicule reprobaton. One Of the
most curious features in the matter is the early
publication Of the report, even before the Presi-
dents me ssage has made Its appearance, and the
Selection of the source through which it was gwen
to the world. During the last summer, we have
Rad reason 10 know that some of the departments,
particularly the State department, had been very
leaky, and exhibited large cracks and crevices,
through which secrets were distilled to the news
papers; but in the publication of the Pos'-ofice re-
port, In the shape in which 1t appears, before any
other public document, Mr.. Collamer has entirely
outstrpped MIR. Clayton, Mr.. Meredith and Mr.
Ewing, In the extent, amount, length and breadth
Of leakage. This is the leakiest hole which has
yet been exhibited by any of the departments,
and we congratulate the Postmaster General
on beating Mr.. Clayton and his other col
leagues, In letting out the secrets OF his
department in some strange, roundabout way, in
advance of the message, and every other public
document that may be expected from that quarter.
In fact. we begin TO like Mr.. Collimer now
lie 10 small man, but prodigiously large
lesky vessel, TO be sure I; but lesky vessels are
very useful to the newspapers. We hope his next
report will be as readily given to the public, and
that the other members will follow his bright ex-
ample for, by so doing, the cabinet will enutle
themselves to be considered the great leaky admi-
nlstration Of 1850.