The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-05
The News from Europe.

reference to the last note of the Allied Powers.
That his decision would be unfavorable to the
chances of peace appeared to be the general i'm
| preston in London and Paris, but his conduct
has Cbeen marked from the commencement by
so much diplomacy that we should not be at
all surprised if he were to try and stave off
the alternative which is now put to him, by
some proposition having for its object further
delay.
In the meantime, the Allied Powers having
taken the initiative, seem now determined to
make up for their inactivity and hesitation by
the promptness and energy Of their measures.
England and France are pushing on their arma-
ments with all possible expedition, and the
coast defences of the former are undergoing
thorough revision. Whilst they are preparing
for the worst, they yet seem DESTROYS to afford
the Gear an opportunity for an honorable re-
treat from the difficulty in which he is
placed, for we learn that by their advice
further notifications have been made on the last
note Of the Porte, by which from fifteen to twen-
ty days are granted for the evacuation of the
Principalities after the acceptance Of the note.
This removes at least condition that could not
fail to prove in the last degree offensive to his
| pride--namely, the evacuation of the Princi-
palities as preliminary to negotiation.
Although present appearances certainly do
not appear to hold out much hope of pacific
accommodation, we yet do not altogether de-
| spair of their taking more favorable turn.
| AS we have already shown, it is no more the
interest of the Gar than of the other powers to
engage in contest that must cripple his re-
| sources and impede the national and social
| progress of his empire. 1t has been said of
him that although he loves military display he
in reality dislikes war. He thinks with the
Grand Duke Michael that Z" it spoils the sol
diers and dirties their uniforms Let us hope
that having gratitied his vanity by this parade
| of his strength he will not expose his troops to
| such disagreeable consequences.
GENERAL PIERcE's STATE HEADING THE ANTI
| SLAVERY COLUMN IN 1S4s.--It is an inter-
| esting and significant fact that the State
| Of New Hampshire General Pierce's own
| State-led off in the movement of the
| Northern States in favor of applying the Wilmot
proviso to the territory acquired from Mexico.
| This fact is stated in speech delivered in he
| Hon. John A. Dix, of this State
And we find by the Journal of the United
States Senate that on Friday, January 26, Is 10.
Mr.. Atherton presented resolutions passed by
the Legislature Of the State of New Hampshire,
in favor of the enactment of law forever
prohibiting slavery in New Mexico and Cali
fornia, and in all other territories now belong.
ing or which may hereafter be acquired by the
United States, in which slavery did not exist at
the time Of acquisition.
On the same day Mr.. Anterior presented
resolution passed by the Legislature of the
State of New Hamphire, approving the votes of
the Representatives of that State in Congress
at that session. on the subject of the slave
trade in the district Of Columbia, and re-
questing their concurrence in all constitutional
legislation to prevent the traffic in slaves in
said district
Now had General Pierce any influence at
home at that time, or was he nonentity. that
his voice was never raised against this Wilmot
proviso and ant-slavery action of his own State
Legislature No; the solution is to be found
in the fact that his party and himself amongst
the rest, had become alarmed lest the South
could no longer reward their fealty with the
spoils of Office always the true test and touch
stone OF their patriotism-and they were look
ing towards the anti-slavery support to buoy
them up from sinking.
1t was during this period that he wrote his
famous letter to the free soil committee in this
city. He may, in obedience to the apostolic
Injunction to be all things to all men. at the
same time have had now and then good word
for the Cass men. His forte lies in saying
"Yes.' But bis chief influence was exerted in
favor OF the Van Burens and the Wilmot pro-
viso men. His State, in its legislative reso-
lutions, was not acting counter to his senti-
ments: it was echoing them, or rather. it was
openly, and boldly, and officially expressing
them It was for the Wimot proviso so was
General Pierce and as he and his official sup
porters profess to have forgotten oil about it,
we shall not refrain from refreshing their dull
recollectons. They might as well own up and
make q clean breast oft.
DEMOCRATIC REUNION, PERHAps.-The reso-
lutions of the hard shells of Stuyvesant fnst-
tute. and of the soft shells at Tammany Hall,
on the Nebraska question suggest reunion Of
the two factions upon the basis of principles.
Perhaps upon this basis they may amalga-
mate--perhaps not. The spells must be d.
vided over again, We apprehend before there
can be q democratic reunion upon princ-
pies. There can be no harmony upon princi-
pies without an agreement upon the plumber
We turn over the question to John Van Buren,.
20 not principles and the plunder 80 together