The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-08

make the new party popular in the South. lie.
Seward reelected, and tn Cabinet party in
Virginia may still keep up TO some purpose the
ralse &C usation that the Know No Kings are in
the league Of the Seward anti-slsvery coalition.
Seward has made an elaborate speech against
the new party, Wise he's written an elaborate
letter TO the same effest he issue with both
is direc. n posi- v. The elt ion Of Wise in
Virginia will be the defea. of the Know No
things in the South, and the t.iumph Of the
administration. But, let Wise be defeated, let
Virginia be carried, AMI the cita lei Of the
Southern administration democracy VIII be
taken. The administration will thus be stricken
down in the South, as ompletely as in the
North In the late elections Virginia is to the
South what New TX ia to the North-the con-
trolling State. And New York and Virgins
depend upon Seward and Wise.
The Richmond Enquirer is alarmed at the
prospect. 1t calls upon the democratic Know
Nothings; it begs and prays of them to vote for
Wise, after he has repudiated them in scorn
and contempt. so Of Thurlow Weed and his
echo in this city. They are blarneying the
Know Nothings to ward off the impendiDg blow.
But the defeat of Ssward is as essential to the
prestige Of the new party in tie North as it 10
necessary to their success il tn, South. The
defeat Of Wise viii be the final olow to the ad
ministration. But the coast cannot be cleared
for the campaign of 1856 until Wise and Seward
the anti slavery coalition and the administration
spoilsmen, are vanquished in their strongholds
The case is plain. The first duty Of the
Know Nothings is order, harmony, and unity
in their own camp The next duty is the de-
feat of Seward as candidate for reelection 10
the United States Senate; and the next thing
to be done is to defeat Henry A. Wise, the ad-
ministration candidate for Governor Of Virgni.
But without harmony the new party can do
nothing. Seward will triumph-Wise will
triumph and the Know Nothings, as national
organization, " Il be broken to pieces as mys-
teriously AMI rapidly as they have risen to
power in the late elections. Let the Grand
State Counci reconsider their late arbitrary
proceediDgs-let liberality be the rule. and
there will be harmony and victory. But there
can be neither union nor harmony, nor success.
where there is no iberality. Plain as daylight.
The Ostend Conference-Attempt OF the Cabi-
net to Suppress Inquiry.
Why is the administration so anxious to keep
back the correspondence relative to the Ostend
conference? What necessity exists for SO much
concealment and mysters? Sundry Of our
representatives in Europe tuink fit to meet TO-
gether for purposes which can only be coDjec-
tured; they leave their respective courts, and
remain for several days, closeted together a.
Ostend, discussing questions which remain
secret to the world at large. The conference
attracts some attention in Europe, and is
largely commented on in this country. 1t is
the first instance that su h step has been
taken by American ministers abroad, and in
certain quarters doubts are even expressed Of
their right to meet What more natural, under
these circumstances, han that men should de
sire to know by whom and for what objects the
conference Was called-what business was
transacted thereat, and whether it was spon
taneous movement Of the foreign ministers. OF
o proceeding taken under instructions from
Washington? And from what motives can the
administration have been impelled to exert all
its strength in the House to consign the motion
to the tomb of the Committee on Foreign Re-
latioDs? There is something inexpressibly sus
picious in this mode of Sinking inquiry, and
seeking oblivion for the past. 1t is imoossible
to divest oneself Of the inference that the
documents relating to the Ostend council
would, if published, teod to damage the Cab
net in public estimation.
Incidentally the message throw some light
on the mystery. Irs pacific tone, and the strik-
ing contrast it presents in this respect 10 the
been the subject Of marked comment. OneIas
only to compare it WITH the messages relating
to the Black Warrior affair to see how srea
has been tpe change in the sentiments Of thr
administration in the course Of the year. They
commenced their dutie, with the arrogant tone
and defiant gesture of DULLES only half their
term is over, and they are already meek as
lambs. This conversion mus. have been felt
by their agents abroad.
Mr.. Soule for instance, was directed to de
mand reparation for the Black Warrior affair,
and to treat the. Spanish government with hau-
teuy and harshness. He fulfilled his instruc
tions-which were quite congenial to his tenn
per-by insisting On reply within twenty
four hours and soon placed matters on such
footing that the Spanish government could not,
in decency, comply with demands urged in 50
peremptory and insulting manner. Mr.. Soult
failed accordingly in his attempt to obtain sa-
tisfaction. Almost before definite news of the
failure had reached Washington, the Cabi-
net had repented of its former violence, and
become as peaceable as it had been warlike.
Dispatches harmonizing with this new frame
Of mind were ece.ved by Mr.. Soule just as he
was preparing to demand his passports and de