The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-02-06

TABERNACLE, Broadway.-GuNGL's CoNcERr
Now York. Tuesday. February o, Is40.
The slavery Question In the Legisi.ture-
Conduct Of the Whig Press.
The most sminous sign of the times, In connec-
ton with the future union, growth and prosperity
of these States, Is the pertlnacity with which the
ultra anti-slavery fanatics of the Northern and
Eastern States their course of hostility to
the Southern portion of our confederacy, in utter
disregard of the constitutional compact Hitherto
this fanatlcal spirit confined to Massachusetts,
and one or two other Eastern States but 1t has
exhibited its frghtful dimensions in the State OF
New York--ln the Empire State-in our Legls-
iature.
Not content with passing resolutions denouncing
the extension of slavery to the newly acquired ter
rltories of New Mexico and California, the men,
bers OF the New York Legislature are about to send
as representative of the State of New York IN
the Senate OF the Unted States the most honorable
and august body on the face of the earth, man
whose past career proves him to be wild reckless
and desperate, as a poucaa and statesman.
On the subject OF slavery, and all Its phases-even
as to Its continuance in the Southern States which
Is guaranteed by the constr utlon-he is perfect
and downright fanatic one whose influence and
ceunses cannot but have the effect ef widening the
breach which, unfortunately, has been made be.
tween the Northern and Southern portions of our
confederate family, on the subject of slavery. In
an anti. slavery speech which he delivered in
Cleveland, Ohio, and also IN other places he
counselled and advised the Legislature of that State
to pass a law concerning fugitives from the South.
which would be in direct coptravention OF the
constitution of the United States--hs very lnstru
ment which he must swear to maintain and uphold.
before he take his seat in the body to wh,chhe
is about to be elected by our Legislature.
But this is not all. There Is now before the
Legislature an act of precisely the description
which Mr.. Seward advised the Legislature of Ohio
to pass in regard to fugitive slaves, and which. If
passed, will be an insult to the South, an open vio
latlon of the constitution, and an attack on South
ern rights, guaranteed In the most solemn manner
by that sacred instrument. Such an act has raised
the Senate, and IT 1t be not defeated IN the Assem-
by, 1t will become law and IN a short time bring
about collisions with the South that may even.
tually lead to the most fatal consequences to the
permanence OF the American republic.
Now let us zee what courae the Wing press has
pursued on this subject One of the organs O. tina
party In this city-the Courier and Enouirer--in a
long and able article takes ground against the act
In question, and denounces it as a practical at.
tempt to violate the constitution The tone of its
remarks on the subject Is admirable But how
does 1t contrast with the course which It recentlv
pursued on the subject of the election of ex.Go.
vernon Seward to the United States Senate, Tba,
journal is perfectly cognzant of the career of Sc
ward. 1t cannot have forgotten his fictitious and
reasonable conduct towards the South on the ala
very question. 1t cannot but know that he ia one
OF the most bitter opponents of Southern rights. re-
hglously guaranteed, and relglousiy to be observed
and maintained by all patriotic and well MEANING
men throughout the whole country. And vet il
aided and assisted him in procuring his nom,na-
ton, and would no doubt be exceeding wroth if
he be not elected
What consistency is there In this blowing hot
and cold In the same breath That paper pro-
fesses to be warm friend OF General TAYLOR. and
intends, no doubt, to support his admiaistra-
ton, provided Its cofev1e receive some of the
spolls OF office. But will not that admins
trahon have enough of difficulties to encounter.
without adding more 7 Are there no, factions
enough In Congress, to create excitement and III
VIII, but that more should be added The truth
IS, the course which the Courier and Enorirer
and other professedly wing journals, have thought
proper to pursue towards the election of ex-
Governor Seward, and towards this mschievous
bill, now before our Leg slature has been conflict
ing, and will tend to embarrass the administration
OF General Taylor. AS to the bill itself if carried
into effect 1t will be an attrocious violation of the
constitution of the United States, and will only IN.
crease the disaiectlon, already too wide, between
the two sections of the Union
SIZZLING NEWSPAPERS ON SUNDAY IN PnnA-
DELPHh.-We observe that the police of Pha-
delphia, under the influence of the most rig d mo-
rabty, have arrested n few little ne wsbovs. who
were exertlng themselves in getting living for
their widowed mothers and brothers or sisters. bv
selling newspaper before and between church
hours, in the extremely moral city of Pbilsdel.
phia.
The police OF Philadelphia Is wonderful in Its
way. The grog shops there are open on sunday
the taverns are open on Sunday--houses of lire
pute are open on Sunday-places for dripkino "a