The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-08

winch naQ pcen MADE Tree, Dy the action OF iS
ficied uPoa any State BY the effort to give to the
people Of the conquered territories government
bed adapted to their sentiments and their future
ton of the American people had declared their
conviction that slavery ought not to be extended
ever free territory but the exclusion OF that insti-
then deemed sufficient to prevent the formation OF
the federal Union. The same sentiment still ex-
lists in the Northern mind, to be manifested when
ever and only when It's exercise 10 provoked by
new aggressons ; and cannot concede that it af'-
fords any ground for complaint on the part of any
of the States still less that It can justify accession
revolution, any effort to overthrow the tree con-
stitutiOn established by our fathers. - .- +,
have thus adverted to the course Oft State.
in its national relations, from no desire to revive
past discussions; but from convicnon tnat ~
due to our people to vindica'e them rom impoa-
tons of sectional prejudice, indifference TO consti-
tutonal obligations, or hostility to the rights o.
other portions of the republic. If there Is danger
to the Union from any quarter, rejoice TO say thai
it will not be found within our borders Men OK
extreme opinions may be found in every commu--
nifty; but the great body of the people OF New
York are aware that the constitution OF the Unted
States was framed and adopted in the spirit OF COM
promise. and that it must be faithfully maintained
in the same spirit They are attached 70 the
Union; they cherish an ardent devotion toiti and
desire to see it preserved by manifestations OF
mutual Difference and regard between the STAKES
Although New York might maintain respectful
Bile attitude before the world, and would not fal 70
preserve her liberties as an independent State, she
would regard dissolution of the Union, from any
cause, as the greatest calamity which could befaGi
mankind Whenever the American Union is de-
stroyed, the cause of Unconstitutional government Will
be perilled by the shock, and the fends of liberty
everywhere will mourn over the fall OF mighty
fabric, which now anlmales the hopes and COM
mands the admiration OF the world Every patriot
must desire that all causes of irritation or Disagree
ment between the different parts Of our common
country may speedily dis appear should be the aim
Of all to allay sectional anmoiies, and 10 restore
those kindly sentiments whlc united our ancestors
in noble efforts and common trials. The questions
sultng from our recent conquests having been dis
posed of by the action of Congress, there be NO
sufficient cause for ieaousies and dissentions be-
tween the North and the South The most serious
of past differences We're produced by territorial
acquisitions, and they stnkogly admonlsh US that
it is indispensable TO fu peace and happiness
that bounds should be to The spirit of conq1ests
and that the energies Of the general government
should be directed to those great and beneticent
objects, in which all sections have a common in
teres and for which the constitution intended.
The provision of the federal compact requiring
the return OF fugtves from labor" however re-
pngnant to the sentiments If many of our people, is
of paramount authority, and like every other con-
stitutioDal Obligation, should be observed in good
faith. Ia legislating upon subject of such difficult
ty, it was OBVIOUS that more than usual care was
necessary that in enforcing the claims OF one Sec
ton of the country, should not trespass the
rights of the other. While The claim of the South.
ern STAKEHOLDER to recapture his slave is fully adj
mite the right of the Northern freeman 10 prove
and defend his freedom is equally sacred Both are
alike under the protecting care OF our common
constitution
1t cannot be denied, that the recent act of Con-
gress for giving fuller effect 10 the provision requr
ing the OF sgitivr slaves, has excited dssat
isfaction in many portions of the country, carrying
them almost to the extreme Of threatening ress-
lance the law But all good citizens will recol-
lect that whateve may be their individual feelings
or opinions ID regard to the policy or proprety OF
any Legislative enactment 1t IS their plain duty, SO
long it remains in force, 10 sustain the authori-
ties egitimatey charged with ITS execution APP
prehensions have been entertained that, under the
hastily considered provisions Of the act, passed du
ring period of unusual agitation, persons of color
claiming 10 be free, and really free, are not allowed
those reasonable opportunities, and those custom
airy legal safeguards, necessary TO enable them TO
establish by adequate proof the fact Of their free
dom. A recent case has shown this belief to be
aot merely speculative, aad that the danger that
freeman, under the summary mode in which that
law can be executed, may be hurried into capti-
witty, is not wholly imaginary. We cannot, and we
do not believe that the South, any more than the
North, aims at, or desires such resultor will in
sst retaniDg pro visions leadDg to such exciting
consequences. We shall rely not on ly their
ofpropriey and reciprocal justice bur their calm con-
victon that the law Itself, 20 be permanent. must
be reasonable for their uniting, after due refec-
ton, with their brethren OF the North in kind
and dspassionaie spirit in reviewing such clauses
as may be found defective or Objectionable, and in
conserving TO such Judcious modlfic atoms az may
command general approval. In the meantime,
| our people must be left free to examine its pro-
visions and practical operation. Their vital and
fundamental night 10 discuss the merits OF this or
any other law passed by their represe ntatives,
constitutes the very basis Of republican system,
and can never be surrendered. Any attempt to
restrain 1t would prove far more dangerous than is
freest exercise But in all such discussions we
should divesi ourselves OF sectional or partizau
prejudice, and exercise spirit 1T comprehensv
patriotism, respecting alike The rights of every
portion OF our common country.
Before
tons, deem il my duty TO advert to the serious
evils W hich some OF our most important interests
have suffered from the failure Of Congress 10 ex-
tend that prote con TO domestic industry which ex-
perence has shown 10 be ecessary TO sustain certain
branches Of manufactures .inst foreign compete
ton We the effects of the tariff of ", in the
suspension OF many establishments, not only IN our
own but our sister States, involving large invest
mens Of capital, depressing not only the labors Of
the manufacturer and mechanic, but impairng the
market they had created fer the products oil our
agriculture IL Is reasonable to hope that this
state OF things, so injurious and unnecessary, may
be remedied, in some degree at least, by judcious
and timely action In Congress
The interests Of this State, ia common with
other sections of the country, have also suffered
much detrnent from the neglect OF the general
government TO make appropriations for the inn
provenent of lake harbors and the removal OF
distractions IN the Hudson river For more
than twelve years, the great power conferred
on Congress by the constitution TO aid and pro-
tect navigation on our national channels Of COM
mercc, has virtually been held in allegiance, DOR
mant and unexercised. This derelicton Of duty
has caused great embarrassment to all the in.
terests connected with our internal trade. IL
has compelled the State TO incur a heavy ex-
perditure, which should be borne by the federal
treasury. The canal authorities now engaged in
the construction Of an expensive pier at the harbor OF
Buffalo, for the safety and accommodation Of the
lake Shipping entering at thatport. The expense OF
this work Is estimated AT over f200,000 An ac-
count Of this expenditure will be kept under the di
rectioDs Of the Canal Board, and, at proper juno
ture, the expended ought, and doubtless will
be refunded to the State by the general govern
ment Every consideration Of interest and duty de-
mands that the powers belonging to Congress Tor
the regulation and protec'ien OF commerce should
be steadily and vigorously exercised by such con-
stitutional action may best advance the national
welfare and fulfil one Of the leading purposes OF
the federal compact Ii Is subject OF sincere
graduation, that under our benetcent system OF
government, which commits 10 the psople the
chsice Of their rulers, the federal administration