The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-12-02
Opening of the second Session OF the Thirty
First Congress.

At twelve o'clock to-day the second session of
the thlry.frst American Congress will COM
nence in Washington Az that hour, the repre-
sentatiyes of the people will take their seats in
both houses, and as soon thereafter possible,
will enter upon the duties which they were elected
TO peaform. Nothing further than organizing will
BE- done to. day, in all probability but tomorrow
will be busy and interesting time. The Pre-
sident's Message will be delivered Immediately,
and as soon as the reading of il is commenced,
copies will be delivered to the newspapers through
out the country on the line of the telegraphs. We
shall publish IL ia the course Of tomorrow after
noon. In another column, our readers will find
full and complete list Of the members Of both
Houses.
In whatever light we view this session Of Con-
gress il will be in every respect the most interest
ing and important that has ever been held in this
country. IL has been ssid-and we think with
good reason-that The union, and safety, and per-
msnence Of the American republic, will depend
ppon what is done during its continuance. II is
evident that the ebohtonists and anti slavery IA
nstics of the North, will make great exertons to
procure the repeal Of some Of the measures of COM
promise passed at the last session, particularly the
bill for the restitution Of fugitive slaves. Congress
WILL in all probability, be inundated with petitions
from the North and East, praying for it's repeal,
and the Union will depend upon the action that
may be taken upon them. II they are received and
Land on the table fas; they presented, they
can be disposed sf in parliamentary and constitu-
uonal way, wIthout causing any difficulty or pro-
longing the excitement which is the ali
ment Of the fanatics, and thus they would
die; but II they are debated, there will be no
real business transacted, and the session, which
ought to be devoted to the legislation Of great
national measures. VIII be a scene Of disorder and
trouble similar to what was witnessed during the
last session. The friends of the compromise mea-
sures in both houses, by concert among themselves,
can dispose of the fanatics very quietly II they
please, and it to be hoped they will do so for the
peace Of the country. One thing, however, is GER
tain that If the Fugitive Slave law be repealed the
Union, from the moment Of lie repeal, may be con-
sidered at an end, and our great and glorious con-
f,deracy rent in twain. That law is nothing more
than statute, decaratory Of the constitution and IL
perfectly in accordance with the provisions contained
IN that sacred instrument III be repealed, its alb
rogation will furnish IN, most conclusive evidence
To the South, that the constitsonal rights which
they have inherited, and which we guaranteed to
them, by ,he federal compact, are entirely dsre-
garded by the North, and they will, as matter Of
course, seek in some other way that protection
which the North was bound in good faith to give
them. The contract having been broken, the par
ties who subscribed TO il, resume their original
positions, as distinct sovereigniies. The constitu-
ton n nothing more or less than deed Of partner
shipit is liable to the same Interpretation, and can
be broken in the same way as partnership between
individuals. In the latter case II might be neces-
cary to procure the judgment OF court Of equity,
TO the effect that the contract was broken, su,
such proceeding is entirely unnecessary in one
of nations II the Fugitive Slave law could be
sssailed on the ground Of unconsttutionahiy,
or IL really was unconstitutional s repeal would
not be attended with any serious consequences; but