The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-18

Of Catholic disabilities; while, on the other
hand, the more lively and tendorfooted OF the
South, Tn essonIs seem 10 gard the re-
rresucuon of the Wilm provis, Is foresha-
dowing nothing lees than q fatal split between
the politicians of the North and the South be-
fore the adjournment Of the present short ses-
sion of Congress. But the Irish Catholics are
deceived, and the radical secessionsts will be
disappointed. There viii be no repeal Of the
existing naturalization laws during this ses-
sion, perhaps not even during the next, and the
act repeating the Missouri compromise will not
be shaken. The anti-slavery coalition, from
present appearances, win never have the
power to reach it, or, at all events, they haYe
not the remotest idea Of touching it, in any act
Of legislation, this side of the next Congress.
What, then, it may be asked, is the meaning
Of these Know Nothing and anti-slavery move
ments in both houses? Agitation, and speeches
for Buncombe, desire to try the soundings Of
public sentiment, and1ts currents, and channels,
and shoals and quicksands, in reference to the
next Presidential campaign. Nothing more.
The old decayed parties, and their broken down
platforms, are done away with. They are
among the debris Of the great revolution in
politics which has been so signally turned by
the people against the old huckstering party
managers in the round Of State elections Of the
past year. Politicians in both houses, ambi-
tious for q future of some kind, are accordingly
position somewhere, in view Of the reconstruc-
ton of political parties throughout the coun-
try. Hence, we find the young and enterpris-
ing members from the South, Of the late whig
party, casting themselves boldly forward into
the Know Nothing movement; while the anti
slavery leaders of the North, with equal bold
ness, declare their platform to be the repeal of
the Nebraska bill, and the general application
of the Wilmot proviso in the Territories
We anticipate series of Know Nothing
speeches in the House and in the Senate, this
session, which may be useful, more or less, in
giving shape and direction to the general or
ganization of this new American party: but we
suspect that not single member of Congress
has the slightest expectation or intention Of
touching the naturalization laws for the pre-
sent, in any act of Congress. So with the anti
slavery motions for the revival and universal
application of the Wilmot proviso. These mo-
tons are but the hooks upon which to hang
free soil speeches. The agitation must be kept
up; and ii the South can be excited to the point
of secession, SO much the better for the Seward
coalition A powerful diversion must be made,
or the anti. slavery movement will be literally
swallowed up by the Know Nothings. Accord
ingly the free sellers are early in the field,
and upon general issue, which, in ordinary
times, could not fail OF sectional and disunion
organization of parties for the Presidency.
Now, what is the prospect? A few months
ago there appeared to be no possible way of
escape from q sectional contest for the Prcsi-
dency upon the slavery question. The con-
servative Union and law-abiding men of both
sections and of all parties were disheartened-
the anti slavery conspirators against the Union
were exultant. The field appeared to be their
own. The hue and cry set up all over the
North against the Nebraska bill, the general
and sweeping condemnation of the administra-
tion, the cooperation of the Know Nothings
with the free sellers in some States against the
Cabinet spoilsmen, oil appeared to justify the
conclusion of the Seward coalition that the
game for the succession was in their hands.
But these fne estimates were suddenly de-
stroyed. Having broken up the administra.
tion, the Know Nothings next turned their
attention to Master Seward and his Saratoga,
Syracuse and Auburn Holy Anti-Slavery Al
lance. The onslaught in New York staggered
the arch-agitator, while the result in Massa-
chusetts in single blow, scattered all his de-
nary allies have proved to 1be his most for
mdable enemies, strong in the South, strong
in the North, but strongest in the very hot-bed
Of democratic old hunkerism. ancient whig-
gerry, rampant free soilism and flaming aboli-
tionism: for there we find the Know Nothings
clearing the decks of wings, democrats, free
soilers and abolitionists in single broad
side, and throwing themselves into the Pre-
sidential arena as o new and Independent
American party. Yes, new aud Independent
national party, dead, as Gen. Scott would say,
dead against" al the old party organizations
dead against the administration and its
spoilsmen--and particularly dead against the
Northern anti-slavery societies and Seward and
his programme.
The fearful agitation of the slavery question
growing out of the annexation Of Texas, and
the war and the peace with Mexico, which was
substantially arrested by the compromise mea-
sures Of 1850, was, as everybody supposed,
absolutely extinguished in the election Of Gen.
Pierce. 1t was mistake-a short lived delu-
sion. Driven by the disastrous consequences
of bis wretched spoils policy to the most des-
perate straits, Gen. Pierce re-opens the box Of
Pandora, and instantly a more alarming anti
slavery excitement and agitation than that OF
1s49-50 is aroused. Itwas so rapidly devel
oped that nothing short Of some new, sponta
neous and extraordinary popular reaction could
arrest it. At this crisis up spring the mysteri-
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