The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-04-12
The Crisis I'm Congress-Nvhat the South
should do

abolition petitions
The Crisis In Congress-What the South
should do
Our advices from the capital continue TO be very
unsatisfactory in regard to a settlement Of the
slavery question II is pretty certain that Cllifor-
Ma will not be admitted if the Southern members
mite against it, and refuse to vote for the passage
of any appropriation bill until the question of
slavery is disposed Of in all its shapes and issues
Unless this disturbing question be settled at
Washington during this session, great confusion
must arise and the interests and even safety of the
Union will be seriously endangered. We have no
hope from the Nashville Convention. 1t will be an
irresponsible body, and there is great opposition
10 il, even in The South A convention amounts to
but little. We have had all sorts of conventions,
but what have they done What weight have
they had upon the general public mind We have
had religious conventions, free soil conventions,
abolition conventions, railroad conventions, agr-
cultural conventions, tag-rag conventions, musical
conventions, peace conventions, free trade conven-
sons and delegates sent TO them from all parts of
the Union. What good do they do Who cares
about theml They generally break up of them
selvee, by generating, in their body, different
opinions, which cannot be brought to hlrmonze.
We appreh bend that the Nashville Convention will
result in the usual manner as the others. The de-
,egates will meet, speeches will be made, resou-
rons will pass, and the convention will break up,
and the leaders 90 quietly home, with very gene
rally entertained opinion that, after all, Congress is
the only body that act in the present cmcr-
xency, and that whatever it does will be generally
acquieeced in by the whole nation.
The Southern convention at Nashville can do
aothing-or even if they should pass violent reso-
lurions il is mere wind; il will hardly be heard for
the South have got 10 be united among themselves
before any convention got up in their own section
can be regarded as n serious matter. IL is TO Con-
gress that the whole Union looks for decisive ac-
fcn. II is their representation in Congress that the
Southern States must hold responsible, il their
reht. are not sustained or their wrongs
dressed. Those representatives have the power
They can prevent any legislation until tn, Tan itics
Of the North come 10 their senses; and II legisla-
non is stopped al Washngton-if the appropriations
are arrested the great body Of The people will sooa
Scrce their representatives 10 do what the South
rant-iusticc This is the true mole for Southern
members TO pursue. II ia constitutional rish',
which can force a majority 10 regard a minority
That minority have perfect leg Al night TO u,e eve
Nv legal means in their power to postpone iegisii-
s,ou until the slavery question be settled They can
call for the ayes and nays, make speeches, raise
objections, move adjournmcnts until the Close OF
the present Congress, on the <th OF March, 1901.
II - true such a course would create panic, and
couvulse the business community from one end OF
the country 10 the other. There would Be all the
ccrfusion and CONSERVATION OF a sudden revolution
without any bloodshed The wheels OF govern
mcnt would stop. Office holders would hal!oo,
Al money securities would fall tremendously.
Stocks would sell for a gong, AMI the newspaper
pressea that are connected with stock jobSing.
would bespaiier the minority members with tor
rrpts Of abuse. Bat what Of thttl The Southern
MEMBER IL they inherit any Of the spirii Of their
sorefathers will breast tho storm, and stand firm 10
their purpose until the South gets justice IL would
come Il might be delayed months or year. but
n is certain The whole country would rse in
anger. Fanatics would be put down. New and
better men would be elected TO Congress, and the
difficulties between the two ecciions would be
snricahly. Justly and permanently settled.
We see no other remedy nj the present time.
There il meme in an irresponsible. powcrlcss, ecc-
uonal convention at Nashville, or anywhere else.
In Washington tho leading men Of all parties are
mixed up. There are no longer party distinctions.
Clay, Webster, Cass, Footc, Mangum, &c, are
acting in concert. There would be hoPe, were u
not for the free sellers and abconists ID General
TAYLOR would kick out his free soil cabinei, and
Congress could get nd Of such men as sewirt'
Benton. Chase. Hale, and men Of similar kitary,
eli would 70 on smoothly. The question might be
actlcd. The differences and jealousies among the
Southern men themselves, is another very bad fea-
tute towards settlement. The leading men OF
IN. South are at skies and scyens. There appears
90 he no mere harmony or unity Of purpose among
them. than there is among other olques and sec
tcus. Indeed. the only harmony that the southern
men seem capable of. IL that Of uniting 10 benefit
their hetrayers-eiihcr politicians or Journalists
Taking few Of the latter AZ sample, dunng the
last thirty or ferry year.. the following amounts
lave been given by Congress, principally by south
esn votes to the journals and journalists OF wash
ngtons- -.
asles A. estonNstionsi 1ntelllrenecr.. 81 600 90
rlair 4 Eivcs-Globe. sssss. ''''' 40
Richie Cc.-Union. $500 .'''. wv"
AN thesc journalists and journals abandon the
cause Il the South. when in trouble, with the ex-
cer,ion Of Richie. who only confuses and per-
plexes its friends. new recipient, IN the shiPc
cf the R,yttlic, may be added TO these cormo-
rants, who ell want from tho present Congress,
more spoils more money, to the extent OF half
million. Alas, how the poor South IL glllcd. |
cheated and deceived, All these are journals and
iournalsis--we cay nothing Of politicians who /
have cheated the south, Such "a Martin Van Bu- |
rem. and many others
There il but one course for the Southern mem
h.y. who are in earnest and who desire TO zee
,beir secticn retain their rights and their equality
N N. Union. to pursue. That is the course We
s,,rrosc they will pursue, and which VIC indicated
,,on,hs ago. It's to s,ave of all legislation on
any subject. cw Of fh iargs" 10 rotten 81,
s,,s. until the whole question connected with
slavery he settled satisfactorily They have
precedcnt for IL. The minority In Congress are
slrsst precisely in the same predcament with the
majority, or controlling power, that the English