The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-08

1t has ever been the felicity of the American abo
tionst to discern, ut the close Of each successive
yearof his experience, fresh proofs Of the wisdom
of his philosophy and the sagacty Of his method,
in the impress they have set upon the CHI araoter,
and the direction they have given to the current Of
events. The twelvemonth which has just xpirod
is overshadowed with cloud Of these witnesses.
The strides OF this nation towards its destiny its
doom rapid more appalling.
If there DO any element Of deiverauce any hope Of
safety, any way Of escape from the fate Whob
analogous crimes have drawn down upon the heads
of less guilty because less enlightened nations Of
which the memory only survives, it is to b. looked
for in the bitter but healing antidote which che
| abohtioniAs have mingled with the poisoned cup OF
the peoples denominations. IL there be any re-
covey for II from its present perditon, any posi-
biliiy Of its yet making this continent the theatre
of the noblest drama ever presentedt 10 God or mai
OF true republic whose laws are equal, beae6cent,
and justa human translation Of the divine govern
mont of the universe-it is only TO be achieved by
pressing forward in the footsteps by which the anti
slavery movement would lead it on to safety, hsppi
ness and glory; These truths the facts OF the past
years history have impressed more deeply than
ever upon minds.
TuG SOUTH AND THE UNION.
The policy of the South in its eadlng influences,
has been, during the past year, marked by the
same State craft and distinguished by the sue
cees that has ever characterized it. The indignation
which naturally pcrvsdei il when it found that tho
conquests Of the Mexican war, which had beea
planned and fought through for tue simple purpose
ofoteng thening ito influence in the nation by ex-
tending the dominion of its idea, not all of
them necessarily to be devoted to their le,tim ate
purpose, loud aud deep. It's rage at tbs certain
loss of the golden regions of Ca!ifornia-.esoas
cmncrtly adapted to slave dabor-wrcsted from j.
10y the Northern immigration that had peopled 1t
with heemep. aud W the doubt, not yot entirely
relieved, which was spread over the destiny Of Non
Mexico and Utah, by the fanatieism OF Northern
free dorn, was sincere NJ II was violent. IL foul
vent IA the resolutions CfLegisaurcs, the isases
Of Governors. tho vaporing OF conventions, the
rhetoric Of the stump aad Of the pulpit aud the
fierce dstTibes Of the press. In Georgia, joint
port ard resolutions were submitted early in tue
year, recaptuisting tho injuries the South had ca
dnrgd at the hands OF the North, and authorizing
the Governor, in case Congress should abolish
slavery in any territory, or The District or admit
California, OF the other territories with coastitu-
lions iorb,ddng slavery, or II any slave should be
refused to be delivered up By the authorities of any
Northern state. IN Gala convention Of the p,opie to
take such steps ~ the general good should see to
make necessary. rs at lcas. Que OF these cases has
arisen, and Georgia has not yet seeded. may
hope that she has rocousiicred her stern pGrpose,
and releutcd IN our favor. South Carolina, too, his
not been wanting in that noisy brayado which has
cVnsttuted. for 10 many yesrs, the political capital
Of that bullying commonwealth,
THE NORTH AND TIE UNION
Whatever reality tho pfetences at q purposa Of
secession at the South may have had, thcy hal the
e,ect u siousing tho loyal spirit Of tae North to
tue ftscue-not by manly resolution t. put a Ivn
the southern macontcnts, should they venture upon
any overt act, but by seryile declarations OF its
willingness to do tho dirty work appointed to 1t. rs
the price Of ayerting one. These demonstrations
were laade IN divers manners, from the beginning Of
the agitation Of the Compromise question Tnc
pres, the pulpit, public meetings, all united in
swelling the chorus Of praise to tho Union, and IN
giving voice TO the devotion 70 IL that inspired them
~. Tho frat publ, meeting in the long process
sion VIII oh has marched through the year, was held
In Cattle Garden, at the beginning of sping, before
Mr. Wcbytcr's speech, on n call signcd by mon OF
ell political parties The Mayor presided; Messrs.
Ogoen ph j.. White, General SCOTT, and others,
addressed it, Resolutions foreshadowing almost
the very shape which the compromise finally took,
Of New York was concerned, the Union was put IN
tho way Of being saved. This meeting, however,
WINS but tho precursor OF another yet more en-
phatc, held in the same place, IN November. Every
effort had been made to procure great array Of
Signatures TO the call, and many were extsrted,
under threats OF exposing the delinqucnts to their
Southern customers. IL was composed, also, OF
men Of all parties; but the fact Of its occurring
near an election took from IL something Of the diem
terested look so patriotic movement should have,
and gave IL the appearance OF trick TO procure tho
defeat Of the seward wing Of the whig party in the
State--a result that IL very nearly accomplished.
II was addressed By q mixed commission OF wings
aud dem ocrats and passed resolutions approving Of
all the compromise measures, the Fugitive lag
amongst them, declaring that they "wil sustain
that law and the execution Of the same, by all law-
iul means" :.
Herein consists the hope Of our deliverance. The
anti-slavery agitation never can die out. IL has
been going on increasing from the day Of its small
things in spite Of the steady opposition OF tho state
and the church, and OF all the usually controlling
influences Of socisty. IL has taken possession OF
Congress and turned II into great ant-sasvsry de-
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