New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-06-10
mr. Webster and the Higher Law.

The immediate and authentic organs of
the great Union Party in this vicinity have
not vouchsafed that enthusiastic indorse-
ment of Mr. Webster's Buffalo speech which
was hoped, indeed we do not find in them
that cordiality toward its author which it
would seem he has a right to claim at their
hands. OF course, while they are thus mex
pressiye on the thing itself, we could not hope
for any answer to our modest and humble
analysis thereof But from distant quarters
we see that our observations have not failed
to stir up some Of the missionary outposts of
Unionism, some of the laborers in pGrtlbus
nfdel,um who respond us with most COM
plmentary acrimony and varlegated rhetoric.
One of these, The Vermont Union Wing,
will kindly allow us, not to notice its good
natured and gentle divagations in general,
but merely to say word 10 the following
paragraph:
that very journal THE Tribtlael in
common with Mr. Webster and the whole North,
of those countnes If left force clearly prohibited
Slavery, and likewise warmly urged the impractical
blhy of Slavery there, IN its devotion to MI Clay's
omnibus which had not the ghost Of proVlso
among its passengers.
Our amiable Uaion Wing here falls into
slight error of 4 historical and moral nature.
The Tribune never warmly urged the
impracticability of Slavery in New Mexico
and Utah. We were willing, especially af
ter Mr.. Webster's apostacy had made the
prospect gloomy, to support the Compromise
of Mr.. Clay, because it would save to lib
erty a vast territory which we torcsaw
would otherwise be handed over to Texas
and Slavery, at the same time that Free
dom would lose nothing elsewhere that
under the circumstances, we could hope
to keep. We were willing to compro-
mise that question, but willing solely in
order that something might be gained to
Liberty which would else be lost. We did
indeed believe that the Higher Law was
against Slavery in those territories, but we
did not 90 with Mr.. Webster in opposing the
reenactlng Of the same in the salutary form
of the Wilmot Proviso Nor do we recol-
lect having advocated warmly or coldly the
peculiar sort of Compromise which was at
last forced upon us, and of which this fugi-
tive Slave law stands as the most charming
and salyatory feature And we respectfully
invite The Union Wing to speak less posi-
lively and Dramatically, when It Is drawing
on Its fancy for It's facts.
Our Silver Gray contemporary winds up
his homily with pathetic reference 70 the
Tower of Babel, where he relates that some
men once sought to form a Union which
Heaven did not approve, wherefore their
speech was confOunded, and their Union dis
solved If, he says, the Union of the new
world is 10 be hurled into Earring fragments,
the means VIII be equally simple. Now, we
don't know exactly what he is driving at,
when he plunges 50 far back into the shades
ofearhest history for his Illustrations We
could easily have suggested to him one or
two speeches of modern times which have
been COMPOUNDED, but ii the [ Mon mas been
smashed up by it, we must confess that we
have Mt felt the jar or heard the whir ofthe
pieces As far as we are informed the ma
chine is as sound as a nut vet, and it Is
hoped VIII continue so At leas. I'LL after the
next Presidential election.
The Constitution and Slave Catching.
But The Constitution SAYS. SHALL be delivered ND