The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-04-13

raj extracts from our Wall street contemporaries
the subject Of the late Congressional Wing Caucus
at Washington. They throw but little additional
light upon the matter, yet not without interest
confirming the character and extent of the great
trouble which threatens the most abect humiliation
of the wings Of the South and the utter demorali-
cation of the whole whig party.
The proposition Of Mr. Humphrey Marshall in the
late caucus, for recognition of the 6nality' Of
the compromise measures, brings the whig party to
crisis which involves the question Gifts nationality,
and the still more important questions of the resto
ration Of the confidence Of tho South, or the re-
opening of sectional animosties, and the agitation
Of disunion from base surrender to Northern abo-
litionists 1t involves the question Of the restora
ton Of quiet and good will between the two sections
or the revival, with the connivance of Southern
wings, of all the disastrous influences and conse-
quences Of the anti-slavery agitation. It's issue
which makes the wing party Union party or an
abolition and disunion party; sectional party,
a national party; party upon principles, or party
for plumber; party of law and order. party of
sedition and nulliGcation constitutional party,
higher law'' party; part organized for the
support of Seward and his ants slavery lotteries,
party standing upon the broad platform of the
pIomlhes us are, parry VIC euPpIoSstou VI
agitation-for the observance of good faith towards
the South for the recognition of State rights, the
re-eetablshment of peace, and the preservation of
the Union. This is the issue upon which the Wing
Congressional Caucus of Friday night last adjourned
over to this day week.
This adjournment is ominous-the detection
among the Southern wings is ominous; but the
declaration of Mr.. Mangum that he should consider
n motion for the declaration of principles out of
order, is the most significant feature of the whole
affair, and the most to be depored. What the
facts of this wing caucus The North was there
in strength William H. Seward, Thaddeus Stevens,
Mr.. Wade of Ohio, and other notorious ringleaders
of the aboltionists, were there, apparently the
most efficient members in the practical action Of
the Certain spirited and consistent Union
whig members, from Kentucky, Tennessee, and
North Carolina, there, boldly demanding an
understanding with the North, a. the first step to
united action but they overwhelmed. There
was debate of four hours but the question was
deferred, and Mr.. Mangum intimated that he
should, at the next meeting, rule the motion for an
understanding to be out of order. This is bad and
places Mr.. Mangum in a bad position and the APP
parent concurrence in his views by Messrs Badger,
Dawson, Jone. of Tennessee, Stanly, and some
other Southern wings places them in the Same
questionable attitude. Let us briefly explain.
In the spring of 1850, both houses of Congress
were sorely perplexed with the complicated I'M
settled issues growing out Of the slavery question
Serious apprcheusions were entertained of violent
dissolution of Congress and speedy disruption of
the Union. Henry Clay had thrown himself into the
breach, but he powerlcss without some efficient
aid from the North. The leading Southern wings,
such as Mangum, and Badger, and Dawson, rallied
upon Mr. Webster, seized upon him, stuck to him.
and brought him finally up to the mark. His
speech on the 7tb of March gave new impulse to
the compromise movement and the whole country
felt that the danger was substantially passed But
it is notorious that. in the proceedings upon the
committee Of thirteen, Mr.. Webster wavered again,
voting this way and that way, and was only held to
his place by the unceasng vigilance of Messrs. Man
gum and Badger. 1t was terrible trial to give up
Massachusetts sure, for the doubtful prospect of
settlement of the slavery dispute but he did it
through the example of Henry Clay, and through
the personal influence of such men Aangum and
Badger and Underwood, and other Southern whig
Senators. They stood virtually, if not directly,
pledged to indemnify Mr.. Webster in the future for
the loss of Massachusetts, in the cordial support Of
the South ; and it was that impression, and the
general popularity Of Mr.. Websters course in the
South, that rendered him at once promising can
didate for the Presidency.
The South under similar obligations to Mr..
Fillmore. General Taylor's policy conActed with
Mr. Clays policy; and it was not till General Tay-
lor was succeeded by Mr. Fillmore and new cabi-
net, that there any really satisfactory prospect
of q compromise. Mr. Fillmore sided with the
policy Of Mr.. Clay, and threw into both houses a
conciliatory message or two. The way was cleared
on the Texas question, the compromise bills were
passed triumphantly and in quick succession, and
the work done Bat the agitators had yet ono
hope Of n failureit was the stringent and effective
Fugitive Slave law. Fillmore would be eternally
damned in New York, to sign it. But he looked to
the South, and the South looked to him. The bill
was signed, and il has been enforced. The Presi-
dent may justly demand in good faith, the support
Of the South in return. But what do we soc?
While the wings Of all the Southern States, from
Virginia to Louisiana, at home have declared for
Fillmore, as their choice for the Presdency-whls
they all stand upon his platform Of the compromise
measures-the leading wings Of the South in Con-
gress-such men as Mangum, and Badger, and
stanly, and Gov. Jones--are Juggling with Seward
and Thaddeus Stevens for platform and a candi-
date that will secure the support of the Northern
abolitionsts What falling offs this in Southern
dignity, Southern chivary, and Southern statesman
ship, Is there any security to the South, when her
leading men thus willing to throw wide open
the doors Of agitation, in the pitifal prospect Of
the Vice Presidency, upon ticket with candidate
whose only pledge ID pledge to Seward not to
init himself against the abolitionists? What is the
South worth-what is the Southern wing party
worth-if its principles thus to be sacrificed for
the prospects Of plunder9
Having explained the obligations and Partially
ofthe South TO Fillmore aud Webster il is easy to
give the solution Of their desertion by leading
southern wing politicians. The late vote in the
House q Representatives the question of the Flu
gitye law 6naty, will solve the mystery. Mr..