The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-03-21

seventy-hve In favor of the Nashville Convention,
and twenty-five either neutral or moderately
against It, If the newspaper press OF the South,
may be considered true indication Of
public opinion in that region of the Union, we
must say that vast proportion Of ,he people OF the
South, without reference TO party, In favor o.
the convention at Nashville, for the purpose, as
they avow themselves, not of dissolvng the Union,
but to reflect and consult on the present condition
of public affairs in reference TO the slavery ques-
ton, and the agitation and difficulties growing out
Of it, in that section Of the Union. Another Curl
GUS fact, also, is evident in the investigation which
we have made in this matter. All of the demo-
cratic journals of the South, without exception,
and two-thrds, we might say, OF the wing news
papers in the region, united, more or less
strongly, in favor Of the same movement-that of
having a meeting IN Nashville, and consulting on
the present state of the country The only opposl-
ton TO the movement which we can perceive in
the Southern newspapers, arises from few neutral
or wing presses in of the large Gties-presses
which may be supposed to be under the influence
of Northern minds or intellects.
The National Inteuigencer, in Washington, has
been very busy in promugating the idea that the
Nashville Convention originated and is intended
to dissolve the Unlon-to separate the South from
the North-to abolish the constitution, and destroy
this great republic. We will not deny that there is
small party, and three four newspapers, In the
South, which speak Of dissolution a matter that
Is rapidly approaching, and others even go so far
as to wish for such consummation; but from the
investigation which we have made, we are per-
ecty satisfied that the quantity of dissolution ma
teriei, open and above board, exists much more at
the North and among our ultra fanatics, than we
can perceive 1t does IN the South. The Southern
journals and Southern men, and the Southern mind
generally appear to be divided into three separate
and distinct divisions in relation to the present
state of the country, growing out of the antslavery
question. small party may wish to proceed to
sxtremlties, and make the slavery agitation the
groundwork for dissolution, sooner or later An
other, and a much larger portion, are In favor of
compromising all those difficulties with their bre-
thren of the North, and of settling them at the
present session of Congress, if possible. A third
may wish 10 continue the present excitement, for
the purpose of endeavoring to create a new party
with the proceedings of the Nashville Convention,
leading hereafter to general national party, SINH
ar TO the former democratic party. The motive of
this latter portion who enter into the movement, is
the same as that ascribed to the cabinet in their
plan of keeping the question open for agitation
throughout the country
These facts and views on the present condition
of the Southern States, appear to us to be the
most accurate which we can form, from the ma
terias within our reach. There is undoubtedly a
speck Of disunlon apparent. The seeds are sown
in the South that may lead TO dissolution but
they are not as virulent, bold and daring, as
are the seeds, as them IN New York and
New England for years past, and up to the present
day Nor do we believe that the Nashville Con-
venton will be preclpitated into any sudden, dan
gerous, or insurrectonary movement, calling for
the military power OF the government In any fern
or shane, notwithstanding the wish that some
members OF the cabinet may have to see such
calamity occur TO the country. If the question
connected with Southern institutions and the
new territory be not settled before the month of
June in Washington, the Nashville Convention
will no doubt institute calm and deliberate in
vestigaon the subject of their rights and prvl-
leges under the constitution, appeal not only to the
people of the South, but to those OF the whole
Union, and lay foundation for other convention
and other assembages, to watch over their in
terests until such time as the queston can be
settled according the law and to the constitution.
While, therefore, the Nashville Convention may
have the settlement Of this controversy in view,
we are also Of the belief that il will originate
great party in the South, ultimately extending to
the North, that will run candidate for the Presl-
dency two years hence, without reference TO any
other general convention, or any other party nomi-
nations Every thing seems to indicate tina, the
III ~ ban ~. hr,L 9TH old
national conventions have had their day. and that
whatever may be the result Of the present contro-
versy in Congress, the next Presidential election
will have to go before the House Of Representa-
uves, and be there determined under the provisions
Of the constitution, as il was IN 1924.
Tux TRIAL OF PRorrssoR WsBsrER.-An extra
ordinary interest has been felt in the charge
against Professor Webster, upon which he Is now
taking his trial IN Boston, a full report OF the
proceedings Of the second day OF which will be
found in our columns.
This interest Is natural. Professor Webster
for many years has been a popular lecturer
in Harvard College, and thousands Of graz
duates, scattered throughout the country, were
wont to listen to his scientific dlscourses with
pleasure and profit. lie Is associated IN the
minds OF these persons with many pleasant
memories, and ms arrest for a capital crime must
have been to them as surprising as the discovery
of the remains of Dr. Psrkman IN the Professors
laboratory Perhaps, Of all the professors in liar
ward College, for the last twenty years. no one en-
joyed the confidence, regard and love Of the stu
dents, more than the unfortunate object Of these
remarks. He had no repulsive austerity in his
manners, locked upon the wild sports Of boyhood
with cheerful eye, encouraged the timid with
bland smiles, aud, without any apparent effort,
taught his pupils to cultivate those intimate re-
lations with his attainmen,s, which stimulated
them in their studies. We doubt il single ex-
ccp,,cn can be found to the echo Of our words
and yet ,his learned man. this amiable friend sud
denly j. charged with the most hldeous Of crimes,
pertetrsied under the most horrid circumstances,