The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-01-13

IN tact, the great question of the present century
We mean the exciting agitation on the anll-slave-
ny question, in all Its vart lies which now disturbs
not only Congress, but every legislature in the
country In this development Of opinion, we Sad
the views given ont by the President are enlarged
upon and explained in somewhat more detail than
could be found in the vague and indefinite para
eIaIhs which appeared on the subject IN the recent
Presidential message. We are now told what Is
the policy Of the administration and The wing party
IL is hsto stand stil, main in statu quo till
each Of the new territories seeks TO be admitted
into the Union as an organized State. The cabi-
net disbeleve in the middle state Of existence, and
call it a territorial purgstory.
This is somewhat of an important development,
Of The opinion of the cabinet, and of the admins
taton on a subject of the deepest interest to the
country. Ii shows that the administration, after
much consultation, "between the soup and the
apples OF The dinner table, have agreed to aban-
don all responsibility, and want the courage take
any position, either for or against the Wilmot
Proviso, or looking towards the settlement of that
troublesome question. This want Of moral courage
in the administration, is precisely similar to the
same weakness which prevails, and has prevailed,
IN both the great factions in the North, for many
wings and democrats before them, like slaves under
the lash oithe whipper-ln. The cabinet take their
position IN the SAME group and consent to receive
few lashes from the distinguished quarter The
practical effect Of the policy now disclosed, will be-
TO continue this agitating question for many years
to come, thereby increasing the evaporation of all
parties and factions the several sections Of the
country, till dissolution ensues.
We begin to despair OF the Union. The Alaba-
ma Senator SAID the other day that the Union was
already dissolved. Not so. But the preliminary
steps towards its dissolution have certainly been
taken. What caused the difficulty Of electing
Speaker 10 the House Of representatives, in Wash
ipgton? The anti-slsvery question. What caused
the delay in the further organization of the House
The anti-slavery question. What caused the
change of Chaplain to the Senate The anti
slavery question. Mr.. Slicer, the former incum-
bent, although he gave them long slices OF prayer,
was conceived TO be too liberal towards Southern
institutions, and hence he was cast aside by the
casting vote Of the Vice-Presidcnt. What causes
the difficulties in every Legislature, North and Southl
The antlslayery agitation. All other issues are
forgotten. Tariff, bank, internal improvements,
every old Issue that divided parties, is now buried
in oblivion. and it is nothing but free soil, aboli-
ton, antl-siavery, now. What is to be the result
Of such state of things The first result will be
the disorganizaton Of all the old parties, and next
year the election of House Of Representatives
ON entirely sectional grounds II Congress should
pass the Wilmot prowso this session, large por-
ton of tie Southern delegates will retire. Sepa-
rate action will take place in the South, and a
train will be land to bring the general government
and some Of The States into collision. In the mean
time, if the Union should last for two or three
years opger,we may expect scrub race for the next
Presidency; and the House Of Representatives to be
elected next fall, will have to determine upon the
chief magistrate to succeed General Taylor. The
prospect before us, therefore, is gloomy and dis
crediiable TO the political parties and political gam
bers throughout the country. The abolitionlsts of
the North and the Wilmot-provlsoists in the free
States, were the first to set this ball in motion-to
drive both wings and democrats Of the North Into
the same position and all are now involved 10 the
same gulf Of precipatng debates and discussions,
which cen end in nothing but a separation aud
dissolution OF this glorious Union. The British
and other foreign governments, through their mi
nisters at Washington, are looking on and chuck
ling at the prospect Of dividing tins great republic
into number Of lesser luminaries, so that they
can manage and control it for all subsequent ages
as they do the South American republics.
such is the position Of things, caused by the
want ot courage in the wings, the want Of courage
In the democrats. the want Of courage in the cibi-
net, and, we are sorry to add, the want ofimness.
IIompnlude, and determination in General Taylor
himself, to come out openly and promptly in his
NJ, sssge, and take one side or the other, SO that
the country nigh, know where he was.
GoyrENNrNT DEFAuLTIRs AND DErsLcArioNs
IL is generally understood that the government
clerks at Washington have, by their investigations
OF the last summer made up list Of nearly twenty
five deisslttrs among the late ocofoco oiice-hold-
ere, whose deialcations amounted 10 the aggregate
TO between one and two millions OF dollars, which
sum 7, ma med uDaccouni.d for and unpaid at the