The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-10-03
Eighteen Hundred and Fiuy, the Annus
EIIhhl. Is OF our Nepublic.


Eighteen Hundred and Fiuy, the Annu,
HiIhhi.is or our Republic.
Congress has adjourned, md the long struggle
between the statesmen and demagogues of the ma.
hsn is over. Webster, Clay. Case, Dickinson and
Feo;e, in the Senate; and Hi:iard and his coad
jutors in the House, have won the applause and
gratitude Of their countrymen; while the names Of
Coward, Benton, ct IL o1anc genus, have been re-
ducei TO contempt. II has been trying ordeal for
The reputation and popularity of public men; and
tsrough the searching fire nothing could pass I'M
ssahed but real civic talent and honest patriotism
Most Of the members Of both houses have wound
mp their political history, and at the earliest occa-
raon their constituents will dispense with their
further services; while the few really great states
Een who have shone out so brilliantly in the con-
tsst, have secured TO themselves lasting reputation
IL is now proper time to halt while, and sur
ysy the ground over which Congress and the ma
lion have passed. The public mind has begun 10
recover from the frenzy and excitement of the
great crisis, and the whole country can now con-
template what has been done in the past, and look
on the future with calmneSs and philosophy. We
move with such fearfuy accelerated motion in the
United States. that il is only on the contamination
Of some great national measure-the close of
stormy session of Congress Ike the last the de ath
Of President like the gallant Taylor, or of an IL
lustrious statesman like Calhoun-that we can fad
The TINE TO look, or get into an atmosphere clear
snCugh to command broad, far reaching horizon.
We have now risen 10 such point-and we are
Standing on an elevation 20 which we have been
sarTied by succession Of events the most start
ling and solemn that have occurred in our recent
hstsry. A contamination like the present could
have been brought about only by strange and UNI
common events. We shall briefly glance al them.
We ell know full well that as the present Con-
srcss began 10 assemble clouds began to lower
over the capitol The session opened with omnous
signs. The discordant and sntagonisiic elements
rushed wildly together-snd no man could tell how
OF when these hostile elements would combine,
presipitbte, or explode. The first clear ievelope.
men, OF the al state Of feeling among the contend
ing parties and cii2uts, was made in the long aud
violent struggle TO elect a speaker But even after
this had been done, no progress seemed to be made
n the business Of Congress for months together
and, finally, general alarm felt throughout the
sountry for the safety Of the Union. Every new
sign only created fresh apprehension. At last, the
death Of Mr. Calhoun occurred, and there was spe-
eulation everywhere on lis probable consequences.
Passion began to subside-plry spirit lost some Of
it, bitierness-demagogue fel; rcbuked, and fana-
tcism gave way TO moderation. Atths moment,
the great Of both parties, in sprii Of candor
and patriotism betting the OCCASION met ogether to
devise some means for saving the State. The Com
nittec Of Thirteen was the BEGINNING OF new spirit,
and new measures. from which all good citizens
Borrowed hope. The plan that committee proposed
Sailed at the moment; but the great statesmen Of
fhs Senate had rallied around the constitution,
and they brought with them a power too over
vhelming TO be successfully resisted Mr. Clay
opened the debate; and with matchless ability, and
IN the generous frateTnal spirit lac had always
showed, proposed the Compromise bill Soon
after, MIR. Webster brought to the aid Of the ma
ionsl party all the power Of his vast intellect and
In an srgumen, Of more convincing weight than
any Of his life, sustained the proposals Of the COM
rnttee. Then came General Cas-, the veteran
Statesman and patriot, and then Mr.. Foote and Nj.
Dickinson, until the nation believed the cause was
gained. At last, however, when the day came for
testing the measure, 1t was defeated But the
friends ef the Union did no, despair. They be-
heved they were too strong for demagogues aud
disunoniss, although they felt and they knew that
all the weight Of the Galphn cabinet was secretly
thrown against them.
Al lest Providence in;erposed again, and took
away the good ard brave old President. The ma
ten gathered around his ashes, and in silence
and tears committed them to an honored grave.
Mr. Fillmore now showed himself equal to
the responsible duties Of his new post. The
choice Of his cabinet during the solemn calm
which followed the death OF Taylor, satisfied
the American people that a man filed the chair
Of the chief maQistracy who loved the whole
country, and who would lend all his aid to carry
the republic safely through the danger. Once
more the friends Of the Union combined their
strength, and came to the rescue. One by one tn.
provisions Of the Compromise bill were taken up;
and one by one they ell passed the Senate. was
triumph Of Moderation and patriotism.
There was but one course left for the House
The representatives. did not dare to brave pusllc
opinion, or defy the whitening rebuke Of their con-
ftiiuenis. They initiated the action Of the Senate
and Passed its bills. A shout Of Joy went up from
every portion Of the land. The crisis was passed
the republic was safe. The members Of this me
InorAbls Congress can now 60 gladly and cheer
fully 10 their homes. Wherever they meet their
constituents-those Of them who have aided in
bringing about so glorious q contamination will be
cure Of the most cordial and generous greetings
Thus the Congress which, for upwards Of eight
months, wa, the scene Of more that alarmed the
country than had ever been witnessed there before,
atlast proved itself worthy Of public confidence.
IL finally accomplished its duty, and made the
year lsO the meet memorable one in our history
since the adoption Of the federal constitution.
Another chapters no. oloeed in our annals. and
new sceuee arc OF ming Tor the future The last
obstacle has beea removed which opposed the
pfesress 81 the commonwealth; and We can now
enter upon n new career of commercial and politi.
esl advancement. Who can tell what The nert
Get IN the drsma Of rryublican civiTatiop on this
coarstsi, wiz unipld