The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-10
The Administration ana the Opposition
The Slavery Question.


The Administration ana the Opposition
The Slavery Question.
Now that the principal part of the work OF
removals and appointments has been accomplished,
and the groans of the sufferers begin to die away
In the distance, the organs of the opposition afford
some indications of the course of policy which
they intend TO adopt. Old Richie wipes his weep
ing eyes, and his heart-rendog groans gradually
subsidc int a gentle sob. Democratic editors
throughout the country begin occasionally to VEN
ture upon a paragraph or two about national ques-
tions. The leaders, the respectable gentlemen
who iatten starve with " the party" the case
may be, exchanging notes; and thus, as yet
rather indistincly but still with certain marked
features, TO be discerned by the aid of teles-
cope, the future tactics of the opposition unveil
themselves to the attentive observer.
1t would appear, from these indications, that the
slavery question, the free soil question: is to be
made the grand point dappui Of the democratic
party during the next session of Congress. A ge-
neral union Of all the heretofore discordant ele-
nents of that political faction Is rapidly approach
ing a consummaton. Old hunkerism Is resigning
itseifto the proered embraces Of the barnburners.
1t Is true there has been, in quarters, little
"Coy, reluctant smorous delay"
but there can be lttle doubt, now, of the speedy
union of the "ferce democracie." All past AMI
mosities to be forgotten. The vindictlve
assauts-,he fiery nvective-the sounding OBJ
jurgation-the solemn vows of perpetual hos
tilly, which, not long since, made the welkn
ring, and startled mems ears at Baltimore Conven-
tons and other places, all to be forgotten.
They lie ''deep in the bosom of the buried"
Brotherly love Is now to reign supreme. One
cause-one motve-one end unites the pure pa
srots of the democratic family. All are now to be
''free soil' men. All are 10 be the stern, I'M
compromising foes OF the extension OF slavery. All
are now 10 be quite prepared TO insist upon the I'M
mediate adoption of measures which they pertina-
ciously resisted and opposed when the party was
entrusted with the administration of the govern
ment.
Thus is party always true TO its natural instinct
Of self preservation and selfaggrandizemen mt. With
all the elasticity of the avorite of the circus your
parry leaders adapt themselves TO circumstances
,her principles being of that convenient stamp
which admits Of their application to all emergen-
cies. Yet, occasionally, an awkward, laundering
fellow will exhibit a want of promptltude
IN conforming TO the new programme. 80, we
find the Washington Union going off at half-cock,
and coming out with tremendous TRADE against
the whg party for lis desertion of the South at the
very moment when the great influential leaders
and chques Of its party are arranging the pre-
liminaries of union on the basis of the free soil
platform, The career of Mr.. Richie, as the con-
ductor of the central democratic organ, as they
style the insignificant and pucrile sheet which is
issued at the seat of the general government has
indeed, been full ofbunders. It has been one great
blunder from beginning TO end. lie seriously jeo-
pardzed the adm inistraon Of Mr. Polk in reationto
several leading questions which occupied Congress
and the country during that eventual period. We
all recollec, the laundering Of the Union on the
Oregon question. That was in keeping with ats
general character as an organ Of the admnisira-
ton. Now II seems 10 be ignorant OF the move
ments in It's own party; else why come on, with
this furious rhodomontade about the danger TO
which Southern interests are exposed by the action
of the wings, when the great democratic party,
with the exception of the uncomfortable ultra
clique represented by Mf. Calhoun, is armnp it.
eelf for the opposition campaign, on the basis Of
the free soil principle,
Now, in these circumstances, what is likely to
be the policy of the administration with respect to
the slavery question: We do not pretend TO say
what At will be, but we know very well what it
ought TO be. All this vociferous agitation about
the Wilmot proyiso is mere political trickery. The
sympathles Of the people have been wrought upon
by ariful and inhammatory appeals addressed to
sectional feelings and local preludices. But the
evil is gradually correcting itself The people have
been considerably illuminated with regard to the
purity OF the motives, and the honesty Of the de-
CARNATIONS Of polit Cal leaders about this wrctched
Wilmot ptovlso. IL will be easy for the new adj
mnisiration to put an end to an this squabbling.
and efeciually block the game Of the opposition.
Let all the new territories be at once admitted as
States IL is matter Of absolute indifference how
Congress might undertake TO settle the question of
slavery in the territories. The people will settle i,
themselves TO suit themselves. Mere fanaticism-
that is, the fanaticism OF enthusiasts who are sii-
cere, and mean we'll is not TO be absolutely despised
but we confess we loathe that chicanery which
wells selhth, mean, corrupt, mercenary, political
craft and intrigue, under the specious guisc of
philanthropy. and superne attachment to liberty.
The President and his cabinet. then, should ar.
range their policy this subject 80 as at once to
pu, an end to disturbing and dangerous domestic
agitation, and defeat the designs of mere political
intrigue, which aims only at the spotls Of office.
Let the new territories be at once admitted as
States, and let the people exercise their constitu
nonal and lnslienable right of framing their own
constitutions and. erecting with their own hands.
,he structure oftbst local government under which
u may be their pleasure TO live and ENJOY the liber
ties Of A,nencdn citizens.
THr L.nrs There is extraordinary management OF
the public lighting The lamps are extinguished at
nisht, without any regard to system. On SATURDAY
mil is.f H., C