The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-04

their regular annual session, al Albany, in few
days, under very suspicious circumstances. The
session promises TO be calm, quiet, and short for
we do not know of there being any very important
or very exciting business on hand. There Will,
however, in all probability, be little cross hrng,
managing and legerdemsin exhibited in tile elec-
ton of Speaker of the Assembly, but beyond that
there will be quiet and calm.
Ii is conceded, nearly on all sides, that the
speakership should be conferred, this time, on a
member from the city of New York, as matter OF
courtesy There is probably not one person in ten
who cares fig, as far as any benefit which the
city might derive from such a selection is con-
cerned, whether the Speaker be from New York
or not Two gentlemen have been named in con-
nection with the office, Mr. Varnum and Mr.. Ray.
mond. We have no great predictions in favor Of
either of these gentlemen for we suppose that one
would make as good an officer as the other The
contest will be between them, in all probability.
Thurlow Weeds influence will be used in favor of
Mr. Raymond and of course an effort will be made
to counteract il, and render II vaueless, in
consequence of the &c neral dislike to the course
of the whole clique OF which he is the head
and front for many years past, especially on the
subject of slavery. The action which has taken
place in the public mind since the adjournment OF
Congress, on the subject of the Compromise bills,
has no doubt penetrated the Legislature, and will
exhibit itself in opposition TO Sewardism in every
form in which il may be developed.
We have heard II intimated that an attempt will
be made TO force through our Legislature a series
of resolutions, condemnatery of the Fugitive Slave
bill, and the compromise measures generally. We
since rely hope that the report has no foundation.
Our Legislature dsgraced itself during the last
session, by undertaking 10 instruct members of
Congress on subjects with which, as State legis-
lators, they mad legilimately no more 10 do than
they have with the domestic policy of the Asian
tees. The anti. slavery resolutions of last session,
We are perfectly well satisfied, exercised very
potent Influence in procr estimating the settlement
Of the excitement in Washington, and materially
distracted Mr. Clay, Gen. Cass, and the other
statesmen who labored 80 hard to bring about
peace and harmony in their patriotic undertaking
II such an attempt be made, it should be immedi-
ately and promptly frowned down To listen
10 il for a moment would be 10 evince TO the
Southern States that We are insincere in saying
that the State of New York i satisfied with the
settlement OF the slavery question effected by the
Committee Of Thirteen and that notwiths landing
our Union meetings and similar movements, we
States and force Them in self defence, into seces-
SION Such would be the effect Of debating, or pay
ing any attention 10 the abolition fanatics of the
North. God knows their venom has been ex-
uacted, and they are now as harmless as could be
desired. They dead and buried, and any at
tempt 10 exhume and resuscitate them, would Ger
tainly be attended with danger. Wo 10 the man
or collection of men, whose temerty will induce
fhsfr TO hat nrfp -,
either the Legislature or in Congress. Saltpetre
would not save them from the infamy with which
they would be covered or from the political OBJ
security INTO which they would be driven.
We shall, as usual, keep our readers well in
formed of the proceedings of our Legislature du-
ring the approaching session. Nothing of Impor-
lance shall escape our notice and our reports of
the debates. and our correspondence from Albany,
will &c as full as circumstances may warrant.
DEPRECIATION IN THE VALUE OF GoLD.-The
English journals have been engaged, recently, in
very serious arguments, some Of them curious
enough, on the probability of the value of gold
falling fifty per cenium, in comparison with silver,
and other measures Of value. II is said, also that
the French government will propose an immediate
alteration of the law, so as TO make silver only
legal tender, instead Of gold and silver as at pre-
sent The Times newspaper, which usually speaks
I
IS difficult 10 how gold should not be eventually
deprecated
This is very re remarkable; because, 50 far as can
be judged, the product Of the California mines has
not added, during the last year, one per centum TO
the amount Of the gold in the hands Of mankind
and The most favorable representations do no, per-
NIT as 10 believe that the average earnings of the
gold diRgers much beyond their expenditures
e
il possible therefore, for the financiers OF Europe
10 have any well grounded apprehensions of any
serious depreciation Of the value of gold, is sur
prising According to the larges, estimates, the
product Of the last year has not been greater than
that Of gold and silver on this continent, at the
commencement Of the present century, while the
consumption Of gold Is Annually increasing, and is
probably not lees than forty millions Of dollars, ia
Europe end in this country.
The scarcity Of silver seems 10 urge upon our
government the necessity Of counteracting dis
turbsnoes which may b. generated by the speedy
action q European governments The silver cola
q he United states y too rapidly drawn FROM the
county, account q IL standard value; and, 10
keep i IA th- oouniry, for the ordinary commercial
transactions OF life, i seems necessary To resort TO
an alloyed issue, 70 arrest the results Of causes
now - work abroad A million doll4rs Of our
silver coin, drawn from circulation by annual ex-
ports, emhsrrasses sll persons engaged 10 trade,
and the sooner the government adopt som- ri IN
for protecting Jzeus the better " II II be for
the whole country.
Certainly W. cgnnVf long remain inactive to he
movements connected with the pr ciOus metals
row going On ia Europe. There seems dispose
tiCn ~ Europe, even at the hazard 81 common
sense, 20 depftciaie the production of California;
and should he proposition of the Preach govern
msnt ~ extended % embrace 10 its scope
combination ot the &c man, French. and English
people We may have trouble that - naw scarcely
anticipated AZ all eycnts, d viii s.come our 90
veFnuent % b. IRE PARED 10 meet any extraordn nv
acton that may ari-s from the fears, Or from the
policy q other nations.
CSSgREss AND TIrE War ~ SCfEE FsCns - The
present Congress seem 70 have formed a wonder
iul attachment tor the writ 0fsoire ~ tIs II is on
eve ~ eYembers Inn gue and y referred ~ ip evarv