The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-12-29

In $50, when the Missouri question threatened
the permanency of the Union, set of obscure po-
nticians, who could gaia notonety in no other
way, began to agitate Congress and embltter pub
lie feeling. II was The very crisis which Wash
ington had foreseen, cnd against which ne uttered
his public warning. Misrepresentation lay at the
bottom But compromise was effected, and the
danger passed AT later period, when the State
of Texas was 70 be admitted, the same question
arose, and al that time the abolluonists, who had
hitherto had no political in, uence, began to be
courted by each Of the great political parties of the
North, ard men more or less infected with their
fanaticrsm got INTO Congress The South saw
danger ahead and few ambitious men there
went over to the other extreme, and began to talk
seriously about dissolution of the Union. But
moderate men of all parties regarded 1t all as the
fruit of fanaticsm, and the Texas question was
fairly and satisfactorily settled.
But the Mexican war gave us new and vast terri
tories, and the same question OF slavery and the ba-
lance of power comes up again in more dangerous
and menacing shape. Meantime, by the counting
and fattery of wing and democratic politicians at
the North, who wanted abolition votes for their own
selfish purposes, that small band of fanatics has
swelled INTO party, which now holds the balance
OF power in the State elections; and the thing has
at last gone SO far that the free sellers hold
a balance OF power even in Congress itself. What
Is TO be the result Of all this fanaticisml Ga tie
one side, the ultralsts of the South say, "Pass
such or such measures, and we will withdraw from
the Union;" and they are answered by the abO-
ltonists, who reply by saying SEQ ahead; we are
anxious for IT as you are yourselves" But for our
own part, we have no belief that fanatics of any
school will have the final decision Of the fate OF
this Union. When the great question comes be-
fore Congress for final settlement, II is likely TO
do during the present session, far and moderate
men of all parties will unite together TO put down
these designating cllques Before this stupen-
dous question, every minor interest will sink into
,pslgnihcance. The Union is worth more than
all the abolitonists and nlegers in the universe.
Some great and reasonable compromise will be
proposed and accepted-some compromise that
ought to be based on the same equality of repre-
sentation among the slave States and the free
States VIII oh now exists in the Senate Clay, Cal
houn, Webster, Benton, Cass, and some other great
men from the North and South, will come forward
and unite at the right time to save the Union, by
some liberal proposal, which Will tranqullllze the
country, and which will be sustained by the gene
raj voice OF the nation. So be il.
The GREAT GOVERNMENT DBFALCArfoN IN THIS
ClTY.-The statement from our special correspon-
dent, published in telegraphic intelligence yes
terday, of defalcation of halfa million Of dollars,
in the accounts of late government officer in this
city, created great sensation IN Wall street yes
terday. Every one named at once Prosper NJ
Welmore, late Navy Agent. We find the follow
ing statement of the same case in the North Ame-
ricdn Of Philadelphia which is the exclusive organ
II n
WAsHiNeroS, Dec. 27tn.
The accounting officers ofthe Treasury have reported
Prosper NJ. Wetmore late Navy Agent Of the United
States at New York to the Solicitor of the Treasury
as desulter in the enormous sum Of fee hundred and
fiyigh thousand dollars and have recommended that
prosecution shall be commenced against him forth
with In consequence Of this report and recommends
ton, instructions have been Issued from the Depart
ment to Prescott Hail. District Attorney at New York,
TO institute immediate proceedings against the alleged
The balances against Mr. wetmore have It is re-.
ported been accumulang throughout the eutire term
Of the late administration. The surety in his Official
| bond is only thirty thousand dollars.
As might be expected great sensation u felt 10 cir
cles where r known at this disclosure
In reply to this, we have been requested to pub
sh the following card -
A rumor from Washington is announced, by tele.
graphic despatch in the morning papers affecting the
integrity Of late agent of the in this city
As this rumor undoubtedly applies to myself | beg
leave to say TO the public and my friends that have
furnished legal vouchers 10 the proper officers Of the
government for oil my expenditures the examination
Of hitch has not Yet been com l-tcd. My accounts
therefore. ftill open for adjustment The differ
enc,s arising between the department aud myself
precisely like those which have occurred aud still
/ betseen the department at and others Il Its agents.
The amount In dis pute e limited and consists
of charges for asbursemen's during the late
tsly ~ tn. usual province ~ the Navy Agency
Whatever balance may be found 60 he due the govern
ment the nDsl audit OF my accounts will be prompt
/ ly paid PROSPER NJ WErMoRE.
New York December IS lsig.
As the matter stands, II Is now interesting
case between the cabinet organs and Mr.. Wetmore
! and TO be determined by facts and law. Mr..
I Wemore claims commissions 10 large amount
for expenditures incurred and services rendered
duuug the Mexican war. This detalca,ion, be-
fore week, may, like the thermometer IN quiet
weather, snk into moderate size. Our tele.
graphic correspondent, last night, states that the
accounting officers OF the Treasury have are idy
come down to $1,000 General Wetmofe de-
MES any defalcaton, and only admits difference
/ Of t50,O0O, which he claims as commissions on ex-
| ira services.
NJ. 10 u,