The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-02-28
Affairs In washington-The Course OF the
Free SOllerS

II is very evident that matters al Washington, in
connection with the question of slavery, are ra
pdly approaching a crisis, although the temper,
yesterday, was cooler and that in few days
we shall know what will be the result of the agita-
ton which was set on foot by few designing
knaves and fanatics n this region, for the purpose
of self ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, at the expense OF the good
feeling that previously existed between the North
em and Southern States. What the nature of that
result will be, it is at present impossible to say;
but we are disposed to hope, IN the midst of ex-
element, that good sense and moderation will
prevail over ianaticism and abstractionism, and
that the union Of this confederacy Of republics
will be sustained, despite of the efforts of the mis-
chief makers of the Northern and New England
States to destroy it.
1t is EVIDENT from the tone of the fanatlcal press,
That the factious dlsorganizers who have mounted
the hobby of ultra iree-sosm, afraid that this
question of slavery, in connection with the new
territories, will be amicably disposed of before
long. Hence they are ralyng their forces, and
are determined 10 make one more effort TO keep
open the breach, which, unfortunately, is already
90 wide, between the North and the South. They
are evidently trembling in their boots at the pros
pect, knowing full well that compromise of this
question will be death-blow TO all their hopes of
political advancement, and would consign the
whole horde Of them, from Lloyd Garrison down
TO his coadutors, Horace Greeley, and the fugi-
uves, Frederick Douglas and Box Brown, to
oblivion, for all eternity. We accordingly see
their organ, the Tribune, in state of per-
fect frenzy at the prospect Of compromise.
"What need is there of compromise % ex-
claims the one-booted editor OF the Fourier
lite organ. when the adversares Of free
labor bad the power, did they ever accord a COM
promise to Its champions!' exclalms he. Have we
not the fact before us-undenlable, and if denied
susceptible Of proof at any moment-that Virginia
ceded to the confederacy, before the constitution
was formed, for the formation Of free States, the
whole Of what was called the Northwestern Terri
toryl That territory now embraces the States OF
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin,
each and all of which are tree States BY the acqul-
sIlon of Louisiana, in 1903. did not the North get,
by virtue Of the Missouri compromise, nearly four
ihs Of the territory thatwas added to the Union by
that acquisition, notwithstanding that the whole Of
it was slave territory previously A similar result
followed the acquisition Of Florida and Oregon
Texas was the only acquisition from which the
North did not get the lions share. But giving the
whole Of that TO the South, the North, without re-
ferring to California and New Mexico, have up
wards Of seven hundred thousand square miles
more than the South
No need Of compromise forsooth No-in the
opinion of the abolition fanatics Of the North there
Is 10 need of compromise-the slavery question
must be kept open, TO prevent them from sinking
into menied insignfcance-ihe breach between
the Northern and Southern States must be kept
open for their especial benefit-nay, more the
Union itself must be endangered, If not dissolved,
lest the tate which they have so long courted and
deserved. should overtake them. They have tried
fanatcIsm IN eyeTy form and shape, ard touriersm,
and socialism, and communism, and associ att nism,
and Roche ster knockings, and every other absurd
ant ridiculous ism, and achieved nothing but ridi-
cule for the pains they took TO deceive and hood
wink the public. FanatlcIsm, IN the torn OF free
soihsm Is their last and only support. II that fail,
they fall and fall with H. L the question be settled,
they know they may well get their collin-plates
engraved, and quietly sink INTO the tomb OF all
such deInagogues-that OF contempt and insigaifi-
canoe.
We spprehend, however, there Is some sound
sense yet left TO the communiy-that there Is
spfit ol foibearance aud compromise In the land
that the prospect OF settling the question Of slavery
IL not exunct-snd that there ~ patriotism enough
Smong the people and their representatives IN
Washington, TO render fanatics powerless for the
mischief which they design But what should be
thought Of such men, who, with the abstract pnn.
ciple oi humanity to stand upon tor platforIp-and
that only tor show aud appearance sake-desre To
destroy this glorious Union OF ours, provided they
could succeed in eleystlug themselves ON its rulnsl
The fact s. much may be said Of Southern ultra
ism; but n owes Its origin TO Northern ianatlclsm,
and in wlckedness, hypocrisy, and doube-dyed
vllany, bears no comparison to IL.