The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-07-29
View York, Monday, JaIy 80, 1850.
Congress and the slavery Agitation.

Congress and the slavery Agitation.
The two branches of the federal legislature will
resume the consideration of the Compromise bill
to-day their setting having been interrupted by the
death of the Hon. Mr.. King, of Massachusetts,.
II impossible at present TO say, with any degree
of certainty, what the fate of this bill will be- but
according TO present indications, we are satisfied
twill be dsPosedof one way or the other, some
day of the present week. That il would settle the
unfortunate agitation which has alienated one inn
porant section OF the Union from another there can
be very little doubt; and there is every be-
ieve that would be hailed with pleasure by the mo-
derate portion ofthe community and the reasonable
of all parties. The principal opposition which it
has met with, from its inception the present time,
emanated from the freesoil and abolition fanatics
OF both parties. But for the demagogueism of such
men as Hale and Seward the difficulty would have
been adjusted long since.
There is come ground for believing that il will
receive the sanction of the Senate. Strong doubts
entertained of its passing the House of Repre-
senatives; and if il should pass the Senate it
might be mutilated and deformed as to be of no
use. However, the refusal of that body to admit
the delegate from New Mexico gives some assu-
rance that the members of the House are not so
much opposed TO il, but thai they might endorse H.
1t will, however, meet with furious opposition from
certain persons in that quarter. That branch
of Congress has its Stewards well as the Senate
agtators, whose whole stock-in.trade is the sla-
very question, who have reached position through
agitation, and whose political existence would ter.
inmate with a peaceable and satisfactory adjust
ment of the difficulty. Such men will do all in
their power TO prevent its passage. and will exert
Al. Il
siou so as to make it bear the presidential cleo
ton in 1852. We shall soon know whether there
lie moderation and patriotism enough among our
representatives, to counteTact such factionism.
There now great and immediate necessity for the
early settlement of the slavery question. The dis
pute concerning the boundary between New Mexico
and Texas has assumed an alarming and threaten
ing form. The Governor of the latter has, by pro-
clamaton, called an extraordinary meeting OF the
Legislature on the twelfth of next month, avowedly
in reference to this question. The people of that
State are highly incensed at the position assumed
by the government, ard determined, according
10 appearances, TO proceed to extremities in case
of any interference with what they term their
rights. Although we do not see any great cause
for alarm as yet, still we are afraid that If this
Ter be not settled soon, new difficulties may arise
which will prevent sny adjustment of it, The
greatest calamity that could occur to the American
republic, would be the shedding of blood in con-
neciion with this agitation. II collision takes
place, il will be in vain TO talk OF adjustment
afterwards The Southern States would side
with Texas, and one section Of the Union would
be arTayed in open hostility against the other,
as well as against the general government.
II is on this account that we are DESTROYS
of quietous being put to the question The
government, too, will be virtually at an end
sosn, if IL is not settled. The fiscal year expired
on the first Of this month, and the Secretary of the
Treasury has no power TO pay out any money with
out the authority Of Congress. The appropriations
for last year are exhausted, and unless the wants OF
the government be provided for Immediately, its
functions viii cease. Neither house is in state
Of mind to abandon the slavery question and take
mp the matter Of appropriations. IL is conceded,
ON all sides, that the slavery question must be set
tied before anything else is taken in hand. Unless
IL be soon disposed Of, the government will, there
fore, be virtually at an end.
The week which commences this day will there
fore be an important one. The crisis has been
reached and We will soon know whether faction
ism and a false philanthropy are to destroy the
noblest system Of government ever formed by man,
or whether patriotism and moderate councils will
succeed in cemeniing the Union for ever. The
horizon is dark, but we are not without hope.