The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-12-21
The Slavery Question I'm Congress-WhO
Will Settle IL:


as soon as the House OF Representatives is srgan-
lied, and Speaker elected, the rebrand of slavery
will be thrown INTO that body. Both iactions-the
ultras of the Moth and those of the South-appear
to be anxious for the conflicts and there Is no doubt
that the scenes that will follow the introduction of
this exciting topic, will be such as were never be-
lore exhibited within halls of legislation From
appearances, 1t will be hand to. hand fight, and
the weapons will be the pent up fanatcism of the
North, on the side, and the equally confined
ultraism of the South, on the other At present, 1t
would seem aslf the Northern combatants woad
be satisfied with nothing less than complete and
perfect victory; while the South, through its Or
gans, Its governors messages, and its public meet
ings, threatens conventions and secession IN
the North are victorious We have seen the Co
vernon of one State recommend an investigation
into Its military resources, with the view OF using
them in dissolving the Union, in case of the pas
sage of the WIlmot proviso, or the abotloa of
slavery in the District OF Columbia. We have
seen another recommend State convention, to
take into consideration what is best to be done ia
similar emergency; aud throughout almost all Of
those messages spirit of malignty and i'll temper
Is apparent, which BODIES no good TO the peaceabe
settlement of this exciting question.
1t is unfair, however, to suppose that such are
the sentiments Of the people of those States, any
more Than that Lloyd Garrsonior Wendell Philips,
OF Boston, are the moulh-plcces Of the Northern
States. The uras the South are as much to blame
for 1.-The mtemperance which they exhibit on this
subject, as the Northern fanatics who goad them
on; and their ultra opinions, we certain, not
those of the masses. In both sections, we are con-
ymced the great mass of the people deprecate any
interference with each others rights, guarin-
teed by the constitution, and are equally IN favor
of fair and honorable compromise in regard to
the extension of the institution of slavery to the
new territories.
The most temperate message, as far as this topic
is concerned, that we have seen, Is that which was
addressed TO the Legislature of Indiana a short
time since, by Governor Dupnlng. He avows him
self IN favor Of freedom, and he thinks that Con-
gress has the right to exclude slavery from the new
territories. But although he entertains such OPT
mons, it right, on the other hand, he says, to
exercise that forbearance towards the South which
charactenzes the conduct Of the patriot and the
statesman. And it is a question of great moment
whether Congress, even it was admitted by all
parties possessed such right, would be wise in ex-
ercsing It at this particular crisis IN the affairs of
the country. The territory was acquired by COM
mon blood and is the properly of the whole people,
each section having fought and paid for it, This
message, in its temper and tone on the slavery
question, contrasts favorably with similar docu-
ments which have recently been issued by the
Governors of some of the other States.
We are satisfied that the only way in which this
troublesome question be settled, is by adopting
some compromise that can be accepted by the South
without dlshonor. 1t would be well for the coun-
try if there more Of this spirit of compromise
abroad among our politicians and statesmen than
there is. If there were, the question would be
Invested of Its worst features, and a settlement
could easily be arrived at that would be satisfactory
to the country at large. All patriots should use
tseir Influence in settling it in such manner. The
time is near at hand when the great struggle will
be commenced-when the inAammabe materials
OF the two hostile sections of the country will come
In contact; and it, before the collision take place,
a spirit Of mutual forbearance do not animate
members of Congress, the country may be set in a
flame, and our institutions receive a shock that
they may not survive. We are not one of that
class who think there is any immediate danger to
the Union of the confedaracy. But no one can tel
to what length party fanaticlsm, of poltico-rel-
glous character, may carry men. The best way is
TO avoid a course of policy that might produce such
deplorable catastrophe, and set at rest this cry
OF disunion for ever. BY continually agtatng
disunion, and conversing 1t, mems become
accustomed 10 it, and what they would denounce
in the strongest terms, when fret preached, they
would calmly weigh and deliberate upon after 1t
became familiar to Them.
In this view, therefore, we think the time has
come when this exciting and troublesome question
ought TO be taken out Of the hands Of mere poli-
uclans and settled by the people themselves. This
could be accomplished by calling meetings
throughout the country, denounclng all ultra
opinions and sectional preIudices. and demanding
the Senate and House OF Representatives at Wash
ington 10 treat the matter spirit of fairness and
compromise The North think they are right in
the course which they have hitherto followed in
ihis matter, and in the stand which they have taken
10 favor oi the Wilmot proylso. On the other
hand, the South think they are right. Both may
be right, to a certain extent 1t is very clear that
neither will succumb to the other. The only way
Of settling the question, therefore, by compro-
mise that will be acceptable to both Henry Clay,
At Kentucky, has lmmorialhed himself by bringing
about such compromise on former OCCASION
We wonder who will be entitled to the honor this
time, Ought not the great men of the South move
la unisonl
CORPORATION Insurance A suggestion has been
thrown out that If the city would take RISKS on the
seme terms as the insurance companies the
amount Of premiums paid IN the course Of year
would be sufficient to pay the expenses OF our local
government. This Is certainly good idea, aud
we hope it will be followed up. ia addition to the
greater security which 1t would afford TO the III
sured, our citizens would be exempt, nearly so,
from the present taxation, which is extremely
onerous. In fact, IN whatever way the matter is
viewed, it looks well II would be saving OF Sc
vtral millions Of dollars year to our citizens,
which they might as well keep IN their own
pockets. The principle is plain enough. Instead
Of paying premiums on insurance in the manner
now adopted, let them be paid into the city trea-