The New York herald., 1850-01-09

civilization must, of necessity, difiuse itself
wherever commerce goes. Canals, steamboats,, |
railroads, telegraphs, and above ALL the spirit Of
liberty, which has been breathed upon the popular
mind of the world, during our own times, render
il almost impossible that the world should retro
grade In any respect The day has gone by when
the burning of an Alexandran library can blot
out the science Of mankind, or even diminish per-
cepnbly the literature or the books of the world
New impulses TO progress in every department OF
mechanic arts, are continually being given, and
the fruit of these giant strides of improve
ment in the general progress of all nations. FIRST
and foremost among the races, into which The
biographies and chronological books divide man
kind, stands the Aueo-Saxon race. That race, IN
all its fortunes, has been clearly traced by history
There Is nothing obscure In any portion of its
annals; and, from the day that Alfred land the
foundation of British glory up to the present hour,
the history Of that race has been a history OF pro-
gress. England and Americs, with their colonies
and territories, have, by the very force of circum
stances, become the leaders and the teachers of
monkmd. No portion of This great race has ever
become enervated Luxury has never undermined
the power of Anglo Saxon men. 1t is Just one
thousand years since Alfred was born; and not an
Saxon race has not been steadily advancing IN
science, and spreading in dominion. IL is now
reduced to a certainty that the very mines which
the Americans are working IN California, were
known to the Spanards two or three centuries
ago ; but the world will discover that the conse-
quences will be far different from what they were
then. They are in the hands of men who
will never retrograde. Progress is the inevitable
l., r. II.
talk of our nation being enervated by the gold of
California, as 1t would be to say that Hannibal lost
his courage because he tasted the Injuries of Italy
The SENATE DEBATE ON THE AUSTRIAN MIS-.
sIoN.-The important debate, started by Gen. Cass
in the Senate OF the United States proposing an iu-
qury into the expediency Of abollshng the mission
10 Austria, on account of the conduct Of that des-
pohc power towards Hungary, has operated on that
dgnlied body like very ingenious safety valve to
an immense high pressure engine, filled with sems
OF the most infiammable gases which hydrogen
ard oxygen are capable OF producing. The speech
OF Gen. Cass contains sentiments of a mos, excel
lent character, such reach the innermost heart
OF The American people. The speech of Mr. Clay
is equally magnificent; and in fact, every one who
has opened his mouth that subject, with the ex-
ceptlon OF the Senator from New York, who took
occasion 10 make some very indicate illusions
TO recent domestic changes and circumstances In
the private life OF Mr.. Watson Webb-in fact, we
say, with this exception, every Senator who spoke
oh the subject. has gained much popularity for the
correctness If his opinions, and stands a little
nlch higher in the thermometer of humanity than
he did before. Even Mr.. Hale, the highly re-
spectacle abolition maniac from New Hampshire,
uttered many excellent and some pungent things.
on tins topic.
But, while We concede that every speak er almost.
with the exception Of the political vegetable from
New York. displayed some talent and eloouence in
handling this subject, their speeches are so mixed
up with irrelevant mstter-more appropriate for
Bunkum-that We can hardly yet tell what TO
think of the debate, how il can eventuate in any
particular result unless it be IN the rejection. in
secret session, of the individual who was appointed
10 the mission TO that country by Gen Taylor.
after refusing, for strong and cogent reasons, to
make The appointment for ak months previously.
One thing, however, must be admitted-the de-
velopeEent of public opinion by the United States
Senate, on the subject Of Hungary, will sneak.
trunnpe t-iongusd, To the masses and monarchs of
Europe. In this respect, the debate, without even
the result Of vote in any direction, will tell what
the sentiments of the great popular masses in this
country are, and how that sentiment would prsba-
bly, run, provided there should ever be au opportu
nifty to show il in action IN our foreign affairs
The Austrian monarchy may feel sore at this de.
bate, but they can't help themselves. They may
Withdraw their mission from this country but who
cares : In this general pom, of view, we are glad
To see the debate, aud the developement of public
opinion which II places before the world. All the
@sr win lqN Vet
themselves like men, Ike American citizens, like
noble patriots, with the exception OF the uniortu.
nate abortion from the great State of New York
ANrrSLAvERy IN TnE .NEw YoRK Lxerslar
Strong snti-slsyery resolutions have been al
ready introduced into both branches of the New
York Legislature, IN Albany. The wing leaders
have been earliest m the field on thls dangerous
and dstruciing subject. We cannot believe. how.
ever, that the other side, particularly the free soil
portion OF the democrats, will lay aside their
thunder, which they have been Furnishing no and
pealIng about the county for the last eighteen
months or two years. In fact, there is every ap-
pearance, from the indications and movements in
Albany, that the contest there, between the two
factions, democrats and wings, will be to win the
popular masses on the anti-slavery sentiment m
the state, by their claims and preiensions IN IA
vor ot me non-extensisn Of slavery TO the new
territories, and the abolition of that institution
wherever there is chance TO effect such pur |
pose
The course already indicated in the New York
Legislature will be followed by every legislative
body Ia the North. Such movement will pr,-
dualy create an opposition feeling in every South
em legislature, and produce. as mghi be expected
a corresponding increase of the exciteu,eot ,xbth
has broken on, at Washiuaton. To increase thcre- I
Reinforcement in the Northern States the agitation \
OF Canada annexation is added. The firH effect Of
all these movements will be, not to settle at an
early day the slavery question al Washington. but
20 leave IL open, fostering and fostering, year
after year, until the lancniabe result ensues. ofs
g,ogroPhical division OF parties so much depre.
Gated by the founder and father of his country