The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-10-31

tdlned nearly every itcm Vi inteHschcc.
Among the passengers in the Canada, not pre-
viously mentioned, is George Thompson, the abo-
ltonist, well known in Boston and other cities in
this country. In speaking of his trip across the
Atlantic, one of the English papers says
to Mr. GsSsss
for the Unite States Of Americas where he about to
enter on short anti slavery campaign, came of at
evening
There has been no alteration in the tone of the
London market for American State Stocks, and
the prices reported by Messrs. d. Bell and Son
are as follows
'':'' s's''' & S sss$: 49,
state yyi ssS c ssss ss sssl
pso 81 psl cd nxs PsT Es1
:" Five per Cents (ls65). .;.....,.... sah
Mary s' I s1 Sns
Upper Canada Five per Cent DsLsnturss (iS55).lo7
The new American steamer franklin, Captain
wottoD, arrived of Cowes on the morning of the
18th inst, en- route for Hare. She left New York
on the 9Th inst.
The United States mail steamer Washington,
Captain Floyd, from Bremen, had not arrived at
Southampton on the morning of the 18th inst.
She was hourly expected, and would leave again
for New York on the 10th inst.
The screw steamer Helena Sloman, Captain
Paulsen, was to call at Southampton, on the 18th
inst, oa her way from Hamburg to New York, to
embark passengers and goods.
The Late Session OF the American Congress.
From the London News, Oct. Is
If the session just closed has been long, IL has
also been an eveniful one--eventful alike re-
gaIds the incidents which marked its progress, the
crisis which il brayed, and The measures 10 whica
il has given birth.
Soon after the commencement Of the session the
nation Yves called upon to mourn the ioss OF one OF
the greatest, slDceresf, and most patriotic Ut Ats
statesmen, a man Who had occupied for forty years
a conspicuous position the federal platform, and
who had been more or lees mixed up, and hOnora-
bly, and consistently mixed up, with all the great
questions OF the time. Ii was pending the greatest
crisis that mad ever occurred in that struggle with
which he was more peculiarly identified that death
carried of John &. Calhoun. Great as in other re-
spects the blow thus inflicted upon the nation,
il is undeniable that the demise of the slave king
has contributed in small degree TO the peaceable
solution which the slavery question has for the pre-
sen; attained.
The trsppings Of mourning for the great Carroll
man had scarcely been removed from the Capital,
the Executive mansion, and the other public build
iDgs at Washington, when they were replaced for
The head OF the state General Taylor suddenly
fell victim TO the combined attacks OF disease,
mortifcatcn, and disappointment. His bodily in-
flimines were aggravated by the results of his
moral weakness, Ia surrounding himself with ad-
vlsers in whom he could have no real coniide nee,
who never acted cordially with him, and who
brought discredit, both political aud personal, ON
his brief administration. He was succeeded by
the present Executive Magistrate, who took pos
session Of the vacant Chair, with none ~ dispute
his right, any more than there was TO question that
of Victoria 10 the throne Of her ancestors.
Without direct election, Mr.. Fillmore has thus
been suddenly raised 10 the hsad of Government
rulineniiy popular, and elective In all its depart
mtnls. IL il through no hereditary right, through
no pIescrptiye usage, or tradiuonary claim,
through neifhef force, fraud nor custom, that he
swsys for time tbs sctptre OF the union. His
sudden elevation and suostanlia power are the re-
suits Of a brief paragraph ia the federal cOnstiu-
lion. IL Is by virtue Of that paragraph alone that
ne has been raised from comparative ooscuriy TO
Tank with the poteDtates OF the time-thps fur
nishiLg another striking example of hog COM
pleiely, even when the greatest stakes are 10 be
ject 10 The Dominion of Law both national caprice
and individual ambition. Twice has the Preslden-
cy devolyed, within the last ten years, not on
the elect Of the nation, but on the designate of the
constitution. In neither case did the body polite
suffer any shock from ibis unlocked for transfer OF
power. Within the last four months the elect has
been suddenly removed, and the designate in-
sailed n his place one cabinet has been wholly
dissolved, and another slowly organized and all
with as little disturbance 10 the political machine
is occdsioned, by periodically Winding il up, to
the mechanism of A chronometer.
The prospects of the Union, which were gloomy
and menscing at the commencement OF the SEES
zion, frightened towards its close. The slavery
question had at length attained the crisis which had
long been foresecn Tor II. As horses running
long heat refefye their wind ill the winniag-post
is in sight, the parties representing the antago-
mist principles Of freedom aud slavery were satis-
ed so long they could postpone the insl struggle,
70 keep abreast with eac other Ia the controversy
which has ragged betwet them since the republic
was organized. But when IL became obvious that
the time for ultimate decision had arrived, both
parties prepared for final and desperate struggle
II
The spolistion Of Mexico brought matters to an
issue. But Independently Of this, the struggle
could not longer have been postponed, tor the South
foresaw, in the shadow of coming event, that
is only chance of securing aoything like favors-
bic settle mt was to bring the question TO an inn
mediate issue. Ga the census which is being Ia
ken this year new apporonment OF the repre-
seniaton will be based and the result Will be. the
absolute supremacy for the future Of the free West
in the House Of Repre- eu'siivcs This was long
forosetn and dreaded by Mr. Calhoun, who was
extremely solcitous to anticipate IL by settlement
Of the question favorable TO slavery, or 10 devise
some means, such as a double executive, as
eounterpose to The growing power OF the antago-
mist principles. The time having casns TO decide
which principle was to commence retroTade
movement, each party began the struggle ny taking
extreme and uncompsonising ground. Both in
the repabic and out Of IL, many believed that the
Union was at length In the throes OF dissolution
Neither party seemed inclined TO yield, and with.
out some concession on both sides, the conederacy
could not be saved All the excitemen's and pas.
sions were called forth which characterize national
egifaiions when great interests are al stake.
The South stormed and clustered, whilst from
the old seat OF nuhc stion came rebelous menaces
at which the great bulk of the nation smiled, con-
fdent IN the omnipotence Of the Union to crush
any reasonable movement to which they might
give rise But by degrees both parties became
half weary, half ashamed, Of their uncomproms-
ing attitude towards each other. Come what might
IL soon became evident that the Union was not 10
be sacrificed. One party or the other then must
yield, Tor the struggle could not be perpetual The
South felt Its weskaess, and deemed IL prudent to
give way, more especially an Il could then hope for
better terms than II could possibly obtain from any
future Congress. The North felt it's power, and
fortunately was not inclined TO abuse II, and the
result was, the adopten 81 that res OF measures
whch,has enabled the Union to turn In safety the
dreaded corner in the question Of slavery
These measures were originally embodied IN
the proposal which was so long familiar to the
public in both hemispheres as Mr. Clsy's com
nrnmiae hill We fsaat.d The ncceasion of Mr.