The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-08
The Revival of Slavery Agifators-Gov.
Seward Ecrcciosing Epon the Van Burens

The Revival of Slavery Agitators-Gov.
Seward EorecIosing upon the Van Burens.
The DETECTION of the democratic party in
New York has once more raised to Importance
tie position of Mr.. Seward and his abolition
associates In this view Of the quarrel be-
tween the hunkers and the barnburners, their
decision at Syracuse may be regarded as un.or-
tunate in its bearings upon the general politics
Of the country. But when it is remembered
that the latter faction has aided mere than the
abolitionists themselves to give currency and
character to the agitation Of the slavery ques-
ton in the free States, that they became its
sponsors at the baptismal altar in 1918. and
have continued since to fornent the sectional
controversy between the North and the South,
it will be seen that the quarrel at Syracuse
was inevitable and that in fact, it gives to the
Stewards and Garrisons only that preponder-
ating influence in the politics OF New York
which they before possessed They have
gained no other strength than that which
springs from marshaling the liens which they
and the Van Burens had upon the great abo Ii
ton inheritance of the State. Foe mortgages
were executed at Buffalo, in 1878; and now
that there is palpable bad faith in the morta-
gors, and the Van Burens are committing
waste upon the premises, and there is no pros
pect Of payment except upon compulsory
process, we do not see why Mr.. Seward should
ienger hesitate about their foreclosure If the
latter act should interfere with some of
Gov. Marcy's possessions in New York, and
slightly depreciate his political income.
he will have the consolation Of knowing
that it is not the first time that specula-
tive movements have ended in bankruptcy
and ruin. But laying aside the question OF ndi-
vidual interests the revival Of the slavery agi-
tators in this great State aud the Inauguration
Of new and formidable elements Of discord into
the movement which it inspres-lookiDg to the
elevation Of Mr.. Seward TO the Presidency
calls for an expression from every good citizen
In the economy Of our institutions we present
but one weak point; and il is to this that
domestic and foreign agitators direct their
assaults. The question Of slavery, then, becomes
one which should be carefully studied by every
wellwishcr of bis country; and assaults should
he made upon it, if at all, with full knowledge
Of its bearings upon the social, industrial, AMI
political weli-heing OF the American people.
1t is not local institution at all in poiti
cal sense. 1t is recognized by the constitution
ofthe United States, in which instrument appro
pirate provisions were inserted for maintaining
the relation Of master and slave By that COM
pact as well as by the practice Of federal au-
thoritics in the sale Of negroes on execution
Issued from the courts of the national govern
ment, slavery is recognized and in this view
il IL both unwise and unmanly for the citizens
Of the free States to claim an exemption from
the responsibility which thus attaches to them
We believe il to be far better to meet the ques-
ton boldly--neither to shrink from the obliga-
lions of the cons titution, or from the relations
which that compact undeniabiy establishes b.
tween US and our Southern friends. This leads
MS TO an inquiry into the actual condition
of slavery, and the Office it is performing
in our own country as an element of labor
and as a means OF retarding or advancing
the cause Of civilization in the white and
the black race. We cay nothing Of the alb
straet right Of the master to hold lis slave