The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-27

Il is true that that compromise Was deemed
Tor many years, final settlement Of the slavery
question in that section Of the country. But
are not oil laws-with the exception OF those
specially declared to be emporary-deemed
final settlements? Is not our law against muir
der final settlement? Are not the penalties
against smuggling final settlements? VIII not
the Maine law should it pass-be final settle
ment while it lasts? Yet it would surely be
competent to our governments to repeal, modi-
~ or alter these as change of circumstances or
additional experience might suggest How
much more justifable, then, is it to proceed to
erase from the statute book law which obVi-
ously ought not to have been there at all
We are yet at the threshold OF the question,
and must wait further progress from the actors
in the drama to pursue the subject. We shall
watch the movement which is commencing here
among all sections of the anti-slavery party
and radiating throug hout the North, as well as
the treacherous meanness of those Southern
politicians who now lack courage to stand up
for the constitution.
General Pierce's Free Foil Letter Again.
rane's "ImpresslOns' Refuted.
We have received very funny communica-
ton from Nelson J. Waterbury, Esq, on the
subject Of General Pierce's free soil letter. Mr..
Waterbury was formerly Judge Of the Marine
Court in this city. 1t was so evident from the
character of the document which he has sent us
that he still imagined himself in his old court,
and talking to the marines" that we post
poned its publication until to-day to afford him
an opportunity to recover from his hallucina-
ton; but not having heard from him we can
wait no longer
Judge Waterbury is now clerk in the Post
Office in this city. His peculiar tact in the
care of letters exhibited in his management Of
General Pierces important epistle to the free
committee Judge Waterbury was one-indi-
Gated at once and plainly that no more dis
Greet bestowal of governmental patronage
could be made than to give him snug berth
in the Post Office.
Judge Waterbury-imagin himself as we
have before intimated, telling it to the ma
rines"-writes as follows =
q.
Sir-The HERALD recently stated, that EATER the
ratification of the Van Buren, Buffalo ticket and plat
form by the free sellers of this city in lS46, letter
was received from Gen. Pierce, expressive of his
sympathy with the political fortunes Of the Buffalo
candidate, and his peculiar friends and psrtisans."
This statement is substantially reiterated in the He
RAID Of to-day And on both occasions II is alleged
and re-aleged that l have some knowledge Of such
letter. must, Therefore, request you to publish
this communication.
/ remember reading letter from General Pierce
TO the Committee of Arrangements of the meeting
held in the Park in this city, on the 18th of july
1s4s, of which Stephen Allen was President, to re-
spond TO the action OF the conven ion Of the demo-
cracy Of this State, held at Utica rhe 22d OF the
preceding June, whieh convention nominated Mr..
Van Buren for President, and Gen. Dodge for Vice
President. That letter which was writtan nearly
month previous to tie Buffalo convention was in re-
ply to one Of the printed circular invitations of the
committee and only stated that he, IGen. Pierce,)
had received invitation to attend and address the
meeting in this city, and that he declined TO do So
What became Of the letter do not know. have
some Of the letters then received, but OF the
merely formal ones, nor have l seen the one from
Gen Pierce since the period Of that meeting am
however quite positive 10 its contents, froa the
fact that the high reputation for disintsreste iness
which General Pierce enjoyed his int mate sonA
relations With the lamented Silas Wright and his
frrn and hearty support in Congress OF the great
radical measures which distinguished the adrlinis-
trations of General Jackson and Mr.. Van Buren, led
10 hopes that he would give the weight OF his inu-
TO the support of the radical democracy ia their
practical protest against the action Of the Baltimore
convention in rejecting the da!egates and siencing
the voice of the democracy Of this State. And tins
letter OF General Pierce was one the most sgnif-
fcant indications then presented that the radical
democracy Of New York, in the prosecution Of that
contest would have to rely mainly upon themselves.
If SO uniform snd distinguished democrat Gene
raj Pierce had given any encouragement TO the
movement, II badly necessary to add that his let
Ter would have been promptly published, as were
those Of the Hon. Greene c. Bronson and others.
j never heard of any other letter from General
Pierce, at any time during that Presidential can
yass, to any Of the supporters Of Mr.. Van Buren,;
and am very confident that no other letter was re-
ceived from General Pierce by any committee form
ing part Of their organization in this city. Yours,
respectfully, NELSON j. WATERBURY.
New York, January 20, 1854
Gen. Pierce's friends, Messrs. Cochrane and
Waterbury, manifest more zeal than discretion
--more anxiety than prudence. Seeing the Pre-
sident stuck fast in the mud they have both
rushed to his rescue, as in duty bound-and
seizing one hold Of each leg they have attempt
ed to lift him ont But, unfortunately for
the object Of their benevolence, they have
moved IL different directions, and the. chances
are that they make bigger rent in the Presi-
dents unmentionables than the famous one in
Wv MANY ioi NuiSu oNatS vi ANtW OIh
was charged fifty cents,
Mr. Cochrane was very confident, in bis letter
published yesterday, that Gen. Pierce express
ed disapprobation of the objects and action of
the free sellers in his letter to the free soil con-
nittee Now Judge Waterbury comes out, and
says, in effect, that the letter contained no such
hing; for he is quite positive that the letter ony
stated that he Gen. Pierce) had received al in
yitation 10 attend and address the meeting in |
hiscity, and that he declined to do So" That
according to the positive" recollection of |
Judge Waterbury, is all that the letter con-
aimed. What has now become of John |
Jochrane's impressions ?" These gentlemen |
emind us of two young men in a country town,
yho were once placed in equally embarrassing |
They were sons of the village |