Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-05-11

grand banquet was given to the Hon. John
P. Hale by the Free-soiIers of Boston few days
ago. "a striking feature of this Hale banquet
(says the New York Herald) was in the num-
Der OF notorious free-soiI illuminate who were
present. John g. Palfrey presded--a most in-
veterate hater Of Southern shareholders; aud Hor-
ace Mann, whose most conspicuous claim for
immortality is the abuse which he has lieaped
upon the name and fame of Daniel Webster. was
also there; and Cassius M. Clay was among the
lions-that blazing fre-eater of emancipation
that most erratic individual-that generous and
chivalrous Kentucky fanatic, who whether in
cutting man to pieces with bowie knife, or
IN stump speech, or as soldier in the Mexi-
can war, always goes straight ahead. Aud there
was Charles Frpncis Adams, son of John Quincy
Adams, and the free-soil candidate for Vice
President under their choice of Martin Van Ba-
rem for President of the United States in 1948-4.
And Judge Jay, of New York, was Likewise
among them, distinguished for his OVERT owing
benevoleuce to fugitive slaves; and there was also
Amos Tuck-ruIed out, like Hale himself, by the
people of New Hampshire, from public life as un-
worthy the confidence, honors and emoluments
of public trust And if such were the mag
mates Of this jubilee it is not difficult to guess at
the materials of the ranks and fle."
The Herald goes on to remark that though no
definite programme was laid down in the speech-
es and toasts, yet it was evident that the fanai-
cism and enthusiasm of the Free soil party have
not been in the slightest degree impailed-that
they are only biding their time, and wheneyera
practical question, involving the subject of slave
ry' shall arise these people will be found warning
TO the knife against the South and herinstitutons
The Herald therefore takes it upon itself to give
Gen. Pierce the following 'signifcant hint:
In this view of the subject. it would be we'll for
the administration at Washington to remember.
OF all things, those broad issues of the Union and
the constitution, upon which it has stepped into
power. The time has not yet come for cancel
ling all lines of distinction between the friends
and the enemies of the Union The Free sellers
are still in tho field
We apprshend that this suggestion comes too
late. The President has already Cancelled
all lines OF distinction between the friends and the
enemies of the Union" His acts plainly declare
that he knows no discrimination between Free
Soiler and Hunker or between a Union man
aud a Secessionist. Having adopted this princi-
pie in the formation of his Cabinet and in the dis
tribution of offices thus far we conceive that it is
700 late now to change or amend his policy. He
must go on as he has begun, no matter to what
goal his path leads him. The President no doubt
believes In the sovereign efficacy of the spoils,
and hopes, by allowing the Freesoil Democrats
full share of the same, to keep them within the
fold OF the regular Democratic organization 1t
remains to be seen whether his expectations are
founded on correct understanding of the mot ives
that actuate these men. We know it is the be-
lief of many that large majority of the Free soil
democrats OF the North are not Free soiIers on
principle, and would be glad of an excuse to cast
aside their abolition heresies for ever. But such
ia not our impression.
The late refusal on the part of the Barnburners
in the New York legislature to endorse the COM
promise portions of General Pierce's inaugural,
shows conclusiyely that these men are the same
abolitionisls now that they have always been, and
amply justiies the apprehension that they will
be found arrayed 10 bitter and uncompromisinc
hostility to the South and to the constitution
whenever the slave question shall again be ngi-
tated IN Congress. The Herald, strong admin
istration paper. evidently anticipates this state of
things, and hence its note of warning to the
President and his advisers
ALBEMARLE CONGRESSIONAL DIS.
TRICT.
1t will be seen from the correspondence in
another column that Mr.. Alexander Moseley.
Senior editor of the Richmond Wing, accepts
fha fo.