The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-02
The Slavery QasstiOn-iev. Seward De.
fines the Policy or the AAmlnistratlen.

fearful epidemlcs of the day. The one, thank
God, is subsiding; the other, thanks to Benton,
Seward, Van Buren, and others, is just beginning
to deveope its capacities of absorption Old hunk
ers and barnburners, Clay men and Taylor men,
aboliuonlsts and dlsunlOnissal parties, factions,
ana flag ends Of parties in the North-are raLying,
on tie negro question, for free soil and all its re-
suits But one prominent man in all the North has
had the hardhood to retain his old position of nom
intervention; and amid the universal shout of "stop
thiefr against the peculiar institution, the voice Of
Gen. Cass sounds dissonant, harsh and sepulchral.
1t voice from the past-an echo from the tombs.
Benton has declared that slavery may be exclud.
ed from the territories hereafter, as it has been
heretofore Clay leans decidedly to the same con-
clusion; Van Buren, has no doubt of the power;
but Gov. Seward leaps beyond them all, and crowds
into the front seat of the Lords Amounted.
VIM. II. Seward was invited to the wing Fourth
of July at Philadelphia. OF course he could not go,
but was doubtless expected to writa letter, giving
the OF his absence, and brief exhortation
Of "heads up" to the party All this he has done,
in that anlbiguously comprehensive style which,
while it satisfies specific object, provides against
an obnoxious interpretation. Here 1t ISL
GrNrLrmEN Your letter, inviting to participate
In the celebration of the recent Anniversary OF nde
pepdebce, by the wing citizens of Philadelphia was
ceived when 80 intensely engaged in professional
duties at canandasua prevent from rendering
a reasonable acknowledgment. ! cannot perform
that deferred duty without expressing my conviction
OF the trutnfulness and justice of the views of the
probabilities OF the whig party, which you have ex-
Experience has shown that the counsels Of that
party lead 10 domestic prosperity, while they im
bued with national moderation and mognauimity.
But there Is now openieg q field OF political action
hitherto xpiored by parties, and unneasurabiy
trodden by statesmen. The inevitable conflict be-
free government long represRed has broken forth at
last The policy OF abolishiug slavery in the federal
dsric ard OF prohibiting 1t in the federal territories,
has excited debate which pervades the Union aud
distubs and tends to dsorganize all existng parties
aud combinations. lntcnpeiaie zeal either eide OF
the debate threatens the subyeron of the government
and the dissolution II tho 4 nion itself
All enlightened sagncious and candid men, see that
the period has arrived when slavery ought not TO be
defended and cannot be protected by the or in
uence Of he federa government a. t has been here
to1oie protected and defended against the legitimate,
constitute nal efforts to continue IL within the States
where tits sanctioned by constitutions aud laws IL IL
equally apparent that the Withdrawal Of that protec
tun and fierce Will rouse the spirit OF faction aud sed
tin What other party than TIE whis party has fully
adopted ts basis the inaenable rights OF man. and
s therefore, wei qualified to divorce the ederel go
vernmtnt from slavery! What other party has in
plcity adopted the principle of the absolute supre-
macy of the laws and is therefore, well prepared TO
repress faction! The exigency of the times requires
that the government ehall combine sth these prin
epes In its actions avoiding the hand any
cesons to slavery the letter Of the consttu-
ton and on the ether incorporate ZEAL wsch appeals
from constituted authority TO violence and sedition
1T has always seemed 70 me that the whig party,
through its long and often dishesrtening trials
acquiring the rInness. the consistency and discipline
necessary to enable it to conduct the country safely
through this, its greatest emergency agree there
fore most cordially with you In your opinion Of tho
importance Of inculcntng its principles
lousy and energetcsy than before and rejoice
uat the first permanent administration which the
wing party has called into power has fully and COM
petely indicated its principles, its WISDOM and its
1 Am, with great respect, your humble servant,
WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
Benjamin Matthias, d. b. ninman, George 4. Thorn
Charles d. Ly brand, John Mccanles, II. X Strong
Joseph L. Myers Committee.
The text Of Governor Stewards letter is full Of
pro,isos, but its spirit the rankest abo!ltionism
and we know not which most to commend, the
modesry with which he advances his own opinions,
or the sell-complacency with which he commends
the administration Of General Taylor. The gst Of
the whole letter is that the administration is
United for the provso, for the abolition Of slavery
III the District Of Columbia, ana for the absolution
OF the government from all responsibility Of sup
porting the institution OF slavery. " Incorporate
zeal on either eide Of the debate, threatens the
subversion OF the governments but then, "the
period has arrived when slavery ought not TO be de-
Tended ;" and he reiolces that the administration
has "competely indicated Its principles"
Last winter. Gov. Seward volunteered to assis,
in getting through the House the w a!ker amend
ment, which, as far as IL went, was 4 compro mise
Of the slavery question. 1t was understood that
that amendment met with the consent Of the adj
ministratlon; aud we should like to know in what
way It's policy has been more completely indicit-
cd" The fact liz, Gov. Seward has no authority !
10 commit the administration IS q whole. BY our !
private advices from Washington, it would appear |
that the cabinet have regarded him with caution, |
as an ambitious aspiring little felow-an imltator
Of Iedru Roln, on small scale-desirous Of the |
secrets of government, for no other 90 ecl than Of
spPropriaiing them TO the best personal advan- |
,oges umong intriguing politicians OF his own I
school
Tbs explanation explains the letter. Abolition |
IL going ahead, and the devil save the hindmost. |
Gov. Seward prefers to save himself lie springs
into the very foreground-he defines bis position,
he pledges th- government. Set up the box on
either end, and he il "right side up with care"
While the issue is in allegiance, Gov. Seward can
iraicinize with Garrison N Co., aud still do yeo-
mans service for the cabinet, appealing his
belief ofiis policy. Aud thus the crumbs of consol-
ion from the executive tables may be served to HIM
cell and bic friends. But it, in the settlement, of the
question, there should result division and re-or-
pnnization Of The party, wherever the adm,nis.ra-
ton may be, Gov. Seward will Be on the strong
eide II, after all this there should follow gene
ral scrub rnce FOR the Presidency, who will ven-
iure to predic; whether the full bloooded Arabian
or the bob tailed poney shall come in fertile sweep
stakcsl
We are, therefore, free to say, that the Philadc-
phia Fourth 81 July letter OF Gov. Seward of
the best IT the season on the negro question. Ii
II. "heads ! win-tails you lose. Now, show us
your hand''
The Dead of fsAo.
Ex-rresd,nt Folk.
Mrs. Madison
Madame ta,agnsc.
Madame R.esmier