The southern press., 1851-08-06

is that do not know what advice to give, and ]
therefore claim the indulgence which is conceded
to the convention itself, and which those who
ask my advice claim on their own behalf, TO
Judge what the convention shall do when the
convention meets
Very respectfully your obedient servant
J. "A. WOODWARD
To Messrs. Thos. McKinstry, J. Bookman, W.
II. Trap, w. F. Watt, c. o. Trapp, J. b.
| Jenkins.
From the .Ns,o York Herald.
Bargain between tho Seward Whlgs and the
SiIver Greys--Surrender Of the Latter.
Our news from Alabny is ofa highly interest
ing character. Our readers are aware that for
two or three days past an effort was being
made by the Silver greys and Seward or aboli-
tion, Wings, of this State, to unite on plat
form that would be acceptable to each, and to
join in calling Wing State convention for the
nomination Of candidates to be supported at the
fall election. We did not see any likelihood OF
success from the movement, for we gave the
Silver greys more credit for consistency and
honor than they deserved. The Silver greys are
small in number, compared to the abolition
Wings; and il union were formed, we knew
it would be at sacrifice Of the principles enter
tanned by the former. The overtures made by
this branch of the party were fair and equitable,
and would have been accepted by the abolition
Wings if they had not determined to reopen
the agitation of the slavery question on the
earliest opportunity, for purposes of their own.
They would have been willingly accepted If the
abolition Wings, under the leadership aud at
the dctaton of Seward, Weed Il Co., were not
bent upon following the course marked out for
them by those demagognes Indeed, it would
have been inconsistent in the abolition Wings
of New York to entertain such overtnres for a
moment when we look at the course which the
majority Of the legislature adopted on the CON-
promise measures.
During the regular session and the extra $685.
sion, Mr.. Anthon, Of Richmond county, and Mr..
Thompson, of New York, proposed, at different
times, resolutions for the consideration and
adoption Of the majority, on the subject of the
compromise measures but they were stifed in
committee or laid on the table, never to be
called up. The same course was pursued in the
legislative caucus, after the adjournment. How,
then, could it have been expected at this la q
day, they would listen to overtures based on
the Silver grey platform, which they had re-
peatedly rejected The policy of the abolition
Wings was this: They wanted un.on-they
wished the disjointed factions of the Wing party
reunited, as much, and more, than the Silver
greys did; for, although they may attempt to
despse the Silver grey force in the Legislature,
where they did not particularly need it, they
would be glad to have it on the day of election,
80 as to present q united front to the disjointed
democracy. But, in order to effect such union,
they wanted the Silver greys to abandon their
platform-to consent to union, without any re-
ference to the compromise measures of last Con.
,r,h;ch tuta tho >f III
day, so that they might be able, when the proper
time arrived, to renew the slavery agitation, and
recommence the war against the South, by pro.
posing a repeal of the Fugitive slave law, or
such modification of its provisions as would
render it nugatory to all intents and purposes.
This was the kind of union which the aboli-
ton Seward Wings wished to form with the
Silver Greys, and one which the latter could
never enter into without sacrifice of honor and
principle. The compromise measures were in
tended by their authors final settlement of
the slavery question, on the basis Of the Consti-
tuition. They were accepted such by the pa
triotic of all parties throughout the land and
any attempt to repeal any one of them espec-
ally the Fugitive slave law, would rekindle the
flame of excitement which burned so fercey
year ago, and threatened to consume the govern-
ment and the republic Such, however, is tie
union, or bargain, which the Silver Grey IxsFz
entered into with the Seward abolition Wis
A more dishonorable and disgraceful surren sr
of principle we never heard Of The Silver
Greys abandoned the manly platform which they
laid out for themselves threw aside their princi-
pies, and caved in, body and soul, to the enemies
of the Consttution-for enemies to that sacred
instrument the Seward Wings are, notwiih-
standing all the twaddle to the contrary Our
readers will mark that portion of the joint call
for convention which is intended to refer to
the Fugitive slave law. 1t says that the rights
of citizens as voters are equally undeniable to
discuss, with the full and mutual regard for the
rights and interests of nll parts Of the confed-
eracy, (Which is as necessary now to maintain,
as it wa indispensable to achieve the blessed
union of these Stales,) the expediency of such
laws, and the propriety of any of their provis-
ions, and to seek by constitutional means their |
repeal or modification" Could anything be
more plain than this Is not this declaration
"a point blank assertion--that the abolition
Whigs of New York intend to reopen ,le
slavery agitation, and move for repeal of the
Fugitive slave law IL il is not then we do not
understand the English language. And yet the
Silver Greys submitted to it--disgracefu' ly sur
rendered themselves.
An attempt is also being mnde by the Hun
kers and Barnburners of this State, to form
union; but there is not 80 much likelihood of
success in this there ia in the other case. On
the 4th of July a fetc was got up at Tammany
Hall, for the express purpose Of encouraging
such union; and the subject has been more or
less discussed, from that time to the present
Both factions express their desire for union
both are loud in protesting the necessity Of
union, in order to save, not only the State Of
New York, but the whole republic; but neither
will give in to the other The Hunkers plant
themselves on the platform of l844 and ls4S,
on the subject of slavery, and make corner
stone of the compromise measures. This the
Barnburners will not submit to. Their organ
in this city looks upon such an offer Of union as
an insult, and significantly asks if they are to
join the proposed union with lie sticking in
their throats, by saying they will uphold the Fu-