The New York herald., 1850-12-27
NEWS BY THE MAILS.
Our washington Corrsspondenes.

TIE Slavery Qsestion-Ihs Gopermor of Virginia
and Father Ritchie.
The Governor of Virginia, enlarging upon the
resolutions of the Nashville assemblage has issued
a Recommendation for national COW vention, upon
the slavery question. The object Of this conven-
ton would be TO form new set OF articles OF con-
federation, adapted to the reconciliation of the
North and South, or additional stipulations between
the two sections, for the future security OF the
South. Other States of the South seem to be
strongly inclined 10 demand Indemnity for the
past" but Virginia, like Georgia, has expressed
herself officially disposed to submit with " security
for future" Governor Floyd, however, seems to
consider the guarantees OF the constitution INSULT
cient for this security; and hence proposes con-
yention of delegates from all the States, to con-
slider and determine upon such new articles of
compact as shall hereafter more securely bind the
Northern States 10 the observance of the rights of
the South and especially TO the suppression of all
ofiiciOus and vicious intermeddling with So outhern
slavery.
At first glance, this proposition of Governor Floyd
appears 10 be reasonable and practic al thing, and
ifthere is really an overwhelming majority of the
people in all the States favor Of the late compro-
misses and the Union, much good, or but little
HARM at all events could result from the proposed
convention. But il is manifest that the time has
not yet come; the agitation North and South has
not subslded; the Union party throughout the
country is not organized the disconentsd factions,
North and South would elect many of the dele gates;
some of the States would refuse TO be represented
at all, and The convention under such circum-
stances, would either be a failure or q farce.
But the most evident objection to such assem-
blage is in the papabe indisposition OF the body of
the people for further agitation They are content
TO let the adjustment have fair trial-they think
il will do; and that while the constitution is power
full enough to hold the Union together, all at
Temps to strengthen 1t, or 10 make additions to it
would only aggravae, instead of tending to suppress
agiteton. We are not yet through the critca
part of the compromises. symptoms of revolt are
still testing the strength of our federal system
callfor a national convention would be tacit ad-
mission OF the insufiiciency OF The late ad ustmen-
an admission TO the agtators that the principles of
this adjustment are unsound and unsatisfactory,
and would reopen the whole dispute, when in
fact, the country satisfied, and only wants repose
In this view OF the question, it is rather matter
OF regret. ii not of surprise, that Father Richie
should have so incauuously gwen in even quali-
hed adhesion to the propositions of the Governor Of
Virginia-for what could be expected of the ac-
ton Of the separate State Legislatures upon the
adjustment, at this time Nothing but the most
mschevous disturbance of the increasing disp posi-
tion of the people TO acquiesce in the compromises
nothing but the worst klnd of agitation.
Nor does Father Richie help the matter by
abusing the letterw riters. As one of that order,
we have spared him from respect TO his age and
sympathy for his bad luck. But he should be
cautious of casting stones into crowd. He is
vulnerable old gentleman, and the forbearance of
the letter writers, under repeated attacks, ought to
teach him the same virtue AT least, he should
specify his victims. Father Richie is wrong in
this convention business, and ought TO retrAct.
That's the best he can do at this stage Of the
game.
WASHINGTON, Dec. q, 1850
Mopements at Head Quarters for the Presidency.
The public affairs of the country are, as Mr..
Clay says, calm upon the surface; but it may be
very delusive calm Indeed, we should rather pro-
nounce the calm Of chaotic political confusion,
than the quiet of restored harmony and Cancellation
II is a temporary armstice, and not an abiding
peace. II is the harmony which results from the
great anxiety of the politicians to be looking after
the presidency; and from an especial desire in the
Northern leaders to make il up with the South be-
fore il is too late. The movement Of the Nash
vile Convention for separate action the part of
the Southern States in the matter of the presiden-
cy, is more alarming to Northern presidential ar.
rangements than all the threats Of South Carolina,
Mississippi and Virginia combined. The great OBJ.
jecrSs TO head of this movement by Cancellation
and hence there is remarkable rivalry between
the wings and democrats 10 curry the good opinion
Of the South Hence the great calm. The presi-
dency commands 5000 10000 per annum of the
spoils-to carry the presidency for certain, the Sou'h
must be appeased-and go, 900, 900 year are in
vested with a tremendous power of patriotism and
devotion TO the compromises OF the constitution.
The patronage of the federal government is more
a
standing army of a hundred thousand men-it is
more potent in extorling reluctant compliance TO
the Fugitive Slave law, than all the suggestions Of
good faith from the principles Of common honesty
that Is, among the politicians.
w. III. Seward grows circumspect He Is ia
favor OF Scott for 81 not because he is free soil
abolition nulhfier, but because Gen. Scott is popu-
lar a military chieftan, and may secure the
spoils to the party taking him up. But let the
Southern States stand oti in the canvass ef '52,
from all Northern candidates, and run a separate
Southern ticket upon separate Southern platform,
and you will zee the clovt2 foot once more. We
eba have then an exact exposition of the strength
.of the various itms and schisms in the North; for
each OF them, very likely, will run man OF their
own.
This idea of Southern secession, not from the
Union, but from the old party national Conventions
Is the real cause Of alarm among the Northern poll
ticians, whose plans for the Sj0,0OO000 year
depend upon the adhesion OF the South. IL is only
necessary for the Southern states TO follow up the
movement ior separate action m tsS .--.-~....-i
'eecnon- - order to coerce the drmagogues OF the
IN to show their hands.
Meantime the Presidential aspirants here are wait
ing and watching, and cooling things down. The
fog Yet too thick 20 see which way the land lies,
except that the Union platform Is safe at all events
We have a large Union party here-very large
compossd of both parties. Still IL does not Goa
letce-it does not smalgumate--lhe old party ira
ditions keep the fragments of this Union party as
distinct oil and water, IN the same vessel IL is
merely temporary junction, and tacit combina-
tion 10 support he President, so as 10 coerce the
nulhfers and % persuade the seCessonlsis to sub
mission 10 the laws and the Union. for the sake Of
getting al some national arrange neat for the Pre-
sidenCv on the good old party paa.
But II 10 very evident thst the wiser OF the poll
iicans Of both the old parties agree to non. action
just now, because they know not what TO do
They appreh hend great political revolution OF some
sort-they cant tell what u is-hut, believing that
II must come. they shelter Themselves, wings and
democrats together, Case and Clay, Webster aud
Foo'e Manqufn and Dickinson, all costly by the
altar Of the Union. But there - nothing settled
uofhing agreed oB-they are waiting and watch
irg for the FOG 20 clear away.
AN hands. therefore, seem very well disposed Tor
she public hntness--fur useful legislation-simply
because the fog Is too dense-ihe chaos of parties
too confused and The future TOO omlnous for any
immediate rtks in PRESIDENTIAL stOck-Joobing
Never have the yyjre.warkers az Washington been
=. ..u..f.,.l, They consder 4