The New York herald., 1850-05-23
slavery Question In Congress-Mr. Clay IS.
the Cabinet.

The great combatants the slavery question in
Congress beginning TO indicate their positions
and their tactics. The debate in the Senate, on
Tuesday, dscloses the progress Of the difficulty, in
very remarkable and positive shape The COM
promise on the slavery question, offered by Mr..
Clay and the leading statesmen Of the nation, is
doubt, Objectionable to the abolitionists of the
North, ard to some Southern men, who demand
the Missouri compromise line. IL is difficult, how
ever, if not impossible in the present state of pub
lie opinion, TO satisfy the extremes Of either section
Had we the settling OF the matter, would do it
the basis Of the Missouri compromise line, which
would be a final, conclusive and detintive settle
ment Of the controversy. But Congress and the
people Of the United States made up of various
Interests aud conflicting feelings, to such extent
10 preclude the hope Of any minority, or any ex-
tTeme, from carrying its points.
Yet, in spite of the opposition from the utras Of
the North andthe South, we rather thought the
compromise might have had some prospects Of
passing boih houses, until recent events in Wash
ington have disclosed the unreleniing and deter
mined opposition, Organized by the cabinet, not
only TO Alr Clay but TO every general and speedy
settlement Of the slavery question The line be-
tween Mr. Clay and the cabinet is now broadly
and strongly drawn. The whole influence Of Ce-
neral Tayors popularity in public life, will be used
by the seven men who occupy the chief seals in
the departments, for the purpose of preventing any
final settlement of the dficuity-of defeating thc
compromise scheme, and of uniting with all the
disccntcnted Of both sections against il. The ho-
nest name the long and honorable life, the unsul-
lied popularity with which General Taylor went
into the White House, thus appropriated and
thus used to continue the distractions which have
afflicted this republic, and 10 prolong the dangers of
alitation to some iu,eminabe day. While these
men, by their claims, and nepotism, and corrupt
practices, are plundering the treasury for the pur-
pose OF enrchng themselves or their dependents,
they are adding more difficulty and more trouble
a. the dpitution in Congress- We are sorry for
General Taylor. lie was not elected 10 be used
Tor sath purposes. Ills present advisers and coun-
sellers seem to be resolved 20 make his admins
tration OF government standing rule and palpable
arrureut against the elevation If military men
without experience to such position as he now
holds in the republic In one year, these seven ca
bnct wilc men have already almost accomplished
a revolution in the public mind, m relation 70 the
gcrcIs ,rsciy. fitness and utility Of military Pee
sid,Ets The examples Of Washington and jack
son will soon he considered as exceptions to the
general rule. The folly, the corruption aud
nepot.m. the imbccili'y, the hypocricy, and
now the wickedness exhibited by this cabinet
and It's adhcrents, in opposition to the oaly
scheme Of pacifyirg THE country, and of
settling ths existing conrovers.es, present
sirong and convincing argument. that. however
popular mere military men may be, however honest
ih,ir own private conduct may remain, they arc
not the maieIillit for standing NJ tn, head OF m
inicllil cni, high minded and energetic republican
people.
If,he compromise offered by Mr. Clay and his
eminent co,dutois. H. defeated. and Cahfornil adj
miitcd. isolated and alone the agitation will in-
crease tcnfoj hereafter sll over the couutry, and
we will he indebtc 10 the influence of the cahiuet,
and the weakness Of the President lor whatever
convulscns may be consequent on such f -'''e ot
things hereafter.