The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-24
The Visit of the Legtslature-Thc Dinner
mt the Astor Houss-Nshat does all this

The Visit of the Legislature-Thc Dinner
mt the Aston Houss-Ehat does all this
meant
We publish this morning the proceedings at the
dinner given by our City Council to the Legisla-
ture of the State, on Saturday evening last at the
Astor House. Specifically examined, this dinner
was simple affair of hospitality extended to the
law makers of the commonwealth by the city ia
Tiers and the whole programme of the entertain
nent Of these distinguished guests appears eminent
Iy becoming and proper to all concerned. 1t would
seem that we might hail this visitation of the law
making power good omen, harbinger of
better times-of a closer affinity between the people
and interests of the metropolis and the people and
interests of the nteror-as, in fact, good thing
for the city, and an excellent thing for the State.
We light assume that personal inspection by our
legislators Of our " institutions " and improvements;
Of the evidences Of the enterprise, growth, and
prosperity Of the ety-woud enlig hten them
terially in reference local interests and be to
the especial advantage Of citizens in any future
legislation in their behalf. Such views as these
naturally suggest themselves rs comprchenaing the
object of the invitation and the probable results
Of the dinner at the Aston House.
But We are rresistiby led to the suspicion that
this, after ALL is but superficial view Of the mat
terthat objects Of far deeper import-and schemes,
which, If carried out, will prove the most mischiev-
Gus to the State and the eountry-are involved in
thi. legislative holiday visit. Nothing can be
appropriate satisfactory than the invitation and
the visit and nothing more essential than the
dinner, in the simple interchange Of official courte-
sies. But the arrival of Gov. Seward from Wash
ington, just in time to participate in the festival,
strikes u, at least, a very singular coincidence;
following il does. closely upon the heels OF the
election If Hamilton Fish to the Senate of ii
United States. In fact, cannot avoid the pre-
runItion that paramount object Of this legislative
visit was, to pave the way for nusing into the city
Of New York something more of the ant-slavery
heaven Of the Seward interest Of the interior and
western sections Of the state. We take il that
this object not lost sight of; but that the op.
portuuity improved to strengthen in the city Of
New York the ant-slayery element, which Is the
controlling element, and the stock in trade, Of
Seward, and his faction in the State a. large. We
rather suspect that that accidental arrival Of Gov
Seward was the result Of deliberate arrangement.
for the express intent Of appropriatlns the occasion
to tie best advantage
The speeches delivered 81 this legislative dinner
by tie corporation, while they aaosd nothing re-
markedly striking. racy, or brilliant, have yet
salient point ar two worthy Of attention Governor
Seward declares that an this cry Of disunion anl
all aITrehcnsons d i dissolution are thin aud un-
substantial mooEshine; that there il nothing IN
them; and that they who entertain such fears are
TT orly for the lunatie asylum. Granting the sin
cerity Of such declarations, VIVA; Is the conclusion
That Governor Seward, with al his admitted abb
lily, tact, sagaeiiy, and cunning politician, has
yet very uarrowsigh,cd view of thc actual eoudl-
tion 81 thing; and that lie T. bllndy pursuing
policy which inevitably meaaccs the safety OF the
Union.
1t viii hardly be disputed that the political hs-
tory 81 Seward il confined a very limited eeosra-
Ilical circle Beginning, some twenty years ago,
Lis political career upon tie contemplate hobby or
anti-lnasonry in the western part Of THE STATE b.
has, however, from time 10 time, appropriated the
agrsg,iansm o. the ant-rcuters--thc sympaihic. or
our adopted citizens aud al tlo oils anl end. Of
the cIlcmcral factions Of the day. ia every ayaila
biz fotm, in addition 70 the principles Of tie wig
party, until, with e seizure Of the auti-savcry cle-
mont, BIZ power y almost paramount in the state.
The History q tie lat sx months proves Il 10 b.
absolute ever the whig party Success ha.
rendered him reckless. Wiiiuliy blind. or sin
pplarly stupid. be denies that tho schemes - The
sbolition.st II pushed 60 the utmost, can result in
disuIion. Taking him at his word. tliat he really
believe that slavery may be abolished ia the Die
trct IL Columbia. In the fort. and docxyar,ls. in
the territories uud that the slave trade may be sup
pressed between the States, without danger 10 The
Unior, We can ouly express our Hrrritc that aly
respectable portion of any respectable party should
submit 70 Ne guided NY such Leaders destitute
az common Perception blind to the imminent
peril and 40 reckless o. the consequences. The
creates, possible danger 10 the Union u from sush
men Who ignorant or reckless Uf the feeling the
situation The institutions II the South, aud dsbe-
Having tleir oft-repeatcd warnings. would push the
work ~ abolition blindiy into the horrors q civil
war. The head Of the wing party at the A'tor
1loufe dinner upon the best construction i Of this
elias IL arch-agitators-hc sentiments he EXPIRE sssl
hob 20 these results and the tendency Of the pro-
sccd,rgs was to give countenance T. Iii. schemes
Dir. stanton. Of Seneca. In his remarks upon the
occasion. covers the whole ground. lie expresses
dcsire and belief that We may extend the Union
a. tie lsthiuus 81 Panama, and at the same time
riIe cut every scrap and vestirc Of slavery.
lie says "the children a. the men who had seen
the country increase from thirteen 10 thirty-one
State, will witness bs extension To The Isthmus
at Panama, when the sun shall not risc upon
master nor set upon a slave" Could any
doctrine bc more ridiculous Or more dangerous
IL involves tho abolition Of slavery IN the whole
South-the reduction o. the Southern States from
their present prosperous condition b. the Dc rada-
fion and ruin0us state # Jamaica aud IInv.i But
Il involve the more appalling contingencies Of ex-
terminating wars between the two sections Of the
Onion, AID between The two races an | the speedy