The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-26

ard not only TO Scott but to Webster and Fillmore
also-some whig whose general character and reputa
ton win call for arepy We have no faith in the Wing
Convention. Seward holds the majority there, be-
tween his finger and thumb. But we do veri-
ly believe that some good and distinguished
Union wing viii put the Scott letter 10 Scott
and his two rivals, and that they may answer
it, in some way or ether, before or after the
Wing Convention. We do not, however, believe
that General Scott will come up to the mark He
will probably say if he says anything that he must
judge ofthe legislation of Congress as it transpres
that he cannot undertake to restrict the freedom Of
the legislative department by pronouncing any veto
in advance Of its actionthat the const tutonal re-
servaion Of the veto wasntended to follow and not
to precede, the action of the two houses But as
all such equivocations win be tantanont to taking
sides against the rigid maintenance of the Fugitive
law, whatever policy he may be persuaded to
attempt, his position must be either for the agta-
tors or for the law.
The democratic candidate win take the field pledged
to maintain inviolate this compact between the
North and the South-this constitutional compact,
if you please. Assuming, on the other hand, that
Gen. Scott win be put forward without any satsfac-
tory declaration, either for him or by him, on the
veto question, what will be the result +! Possibly,
in their mad fury, all the abolition cliques and
teries Of the North, of all stripes and shades and
colors, may rally upon Scott, and, together with
those wings Of feeble principles, intent upon
plumber than anything else, they may possibly elect
him. Such an cent Vould be the signal for seees-
sion and distnion, for there poMid be longer any
safety to the South in the Union. The only escape
fnrf ho 80 md
vile insurections-the only hope of safety, with
their social institutions, their property, and
their veswill then be- in good season to leave the
Union, whatever may be the known or unknown
hazards Of that desperate extremity. On the other
hand if the Union Of all parties, Of the North,
shall make the Compromise candidate their man,
against the combined forces of the higher law then
Seward and his abolition allies will be crushed and
eectually crushed, in the coming election, for the
next twenty years.
Now where is the Castle Garden Union Safety
Committeea What are the real intentions Of the
Fillmore and Webster Compromise men Of this State,
and Of other Northern States, in the event of the
nomination of Gen. Scott without platforms
visible and selfsupporting platform on the fugitive
question! Are they for principles, are they for
plumber! Are they quite ready to join the anti
slavery clques, and to rally the power Of the North
to their utmost exerons, against the constitutional
rights, the social institutions, and the domestic
peace Of the South ? Are they willing, after all
their late professions, to connive at any Seward
dodge that may be attempted at Baltimore! We
have our misgivngs that they are. But, above all,
are the Southern Union wings disposed to be party
to such game! We trust not. They, at least.
can no longer evadc the clear and simple issue made
out upon the fnality Of the Fugitive Slave law.
We repeat. that the thanks Of the country are due
to Mr. Robert G. Scott Of Virginia, for his simple
and efficient plan of bringing out the democratic
candidates upon this fugitive question. 1t falls like
the shock Of a galvanic battery upon the Seward
party in these ATTITUDES. Let the Democratic Con-
vention follow it up, and let us have fair fight be-
tween the constitution and the higher law
A New AND CURIOUS PHASE OF TEE ANTI-SLAvE-
RY S0CIETY.-There are many curious phases Of
anti-savery that the light. It is only now
and then that we happen on shining placer. We
stumbled by chance upon one in recently reporting
tho proceedings Of the Anti-Slavery Society; and
the case Of William johnson, reported in the
HERALD yesterday, who was sentenced, in the
United States District Court, to State prison, for
Poocih6
other rich vein in the abolition gold mine.
The convict was secretary to the Vigilance Com
mittee of the Anti-Slavery Society. He was an
English emissary, or represented himself to be So.
He joined the church, and becoming exceedingly
pous, qualified himself for the Office he SO admira-
bly, filed. He soon became distinguished for his
zeal, dexterity, and success, in sending fugitive
slaves, by the underground ralroad,"t to Canada.
But while engaged in this holy vocation, he COM
bned with it another Of earthly nature for which
his calling before he became a saint emnently qua
lifted him. He was silversmith; and while en-
gagged in stealing the property Of Others, he con-
cluded he would turn his old trade to account
in counterfeiting money, and employed the fugi-
tive slaves to pass it OFF en- route to Canada,
but chiefly among the green Britshers, soon rs
the slaves crossed the line. Tie has been engaged
in this profitable and thriving business for length
Of time. He has sent away probably one hundred
/ slaves and has passed through their agency some
$4,000 Of base coin-recciving from the Anti.
Slavery Society good money, and giving the fugi-
tives that description Of money-for which he was
IL dicted, tried, convicted, and sentenced to the
I State prison. The best Of the joke is, that the
greater portion Of it has been circulated among the
anti slavery zealots in Canada. We would advise
our readers there to have sharp look out for the
purity Of all silver that passes through black hand:
in future. johnson is not the only worthy connect
ed with this lawless organization, set on foot tc
subvert the constitution of the United States
There other individuals, holy and respectable
and adroit he, who now engaged in the
same pious frauds. lie has been caught-their
turn is to come next johnson was not only
a sanctifed man, and man Of good character,
but he able to prove it the trial. He
was sworn to be highly religious man; and 80 he
was, as religion goes. There are many very like
him-he is but the type Of a class
There is one melancholy result that will flow from
this denouement. The convict was a warm supporter
of the Tribune, and furnished it with all the in
formation that appeared in its columns in relation to
the operations of the underground railroad OF
course during his sojourn in durance vile the 7ri-
bp1e will be without that ntelligcnce--an omission