The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-19

urging. as q Know Nothing. the repeal of
the Nebraska bill. That bill has become
law. The Territories OF Kansas AMI
Nebraska have been duly organized
and are in successful operation under this Law
The act itself rests upon the ccnstitution.-the
supreme law Of the land. The Missouri iater-
dict was an unconstitutional enactment. Con-
gress has no more right to interdict slavery in
Territory han in sovereign State No such
power is granted; and the powers not given to
Congress are expressly reserved to the States
and the people" The Nebraska bill was un-
questioDably desperate expediento If the adm.
nistration to recover its lost ground in the
South. and ss an Offset to its free soil Van b.
rem affiliations in the distribution OF the polls;
but the law is none the less constitutional 1t
will, therefore, stand, and sensible men, even
of the anti-slavery societies, ha We pretty &c.
perally abandoned the idea of its repeal, as an
impracticahle absurdity.
The Nebraska BILL then, has transferred the
question u slavery in the Territories from Con-
gress TO the people Of the Territories themselves.
There il beiopgs-there the issue must be de-
cded. The South are willing to abide the
yesplt ard tie free soil emigration societies
have accepted the challenge. The question,
then, o slavery or no slavery in Kansas
and Nebraska, will depend upon the pee
ponderance of Southern or free soil set
tiers; and so, henceforward, in all the other
new Territories OF the Union. Mr.. Gardner,
therefore, as an anti-slavery propagaudst, in
urging the restoration OF the Missouri hne, is off
the track, upon an absurd issue; but as Know
Nothing, his position is utterly Inconsistent
with the national expectations of his party.
Can the Massachusetts, and Virginia Know
Nothings cooperate upon the ant. slavery de-
tionf No. Or is it thought that toe NebrA-ka
bin can be repealed before the Presidential
campaign comes on? No. Clearly, then, the
State Council of the Massachusetts, Know No
things should repudiate, as soon a. possible,
the anti.slavery heresies OF their over.excited
Governor.
Regarding this Know Nothing movement as
the result of spontaneous reaction of the
American people against the demoralizing and
disorganizng corruptions Of the old parties Of
the day egaSpipg it as the beginning Of
sweeping and wholesome revolution in our
party politics-we are satisfied that in the Pre-
sidential campaign this new party will occupy
a platform eminently national, sound, and con.
sentative. But the time has come when it
should begin to slough Off all It's existing anti
slavery associations, and take the field, from
Maine to Nebraska, on non-intervention upon
Southern slavery. Governor GardDer and
Governor Pollock have missed the mark.
What say the Know Nothing State Councils
Of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts,? Have
they any interest in the Virginia election?
The Siege OF scbastopoi.
1t appears from the news by the Canada that
General Canrobert was writing to his master
the Emperor of The French, toat "he expected to
be able shortly to act on the Offensive" This
seems rather a singular remark for general in
Canrobert's position to make, encamped In the
eDemy's country, opposite one OF his strong
holds within three hundred ards of his Bate
lies. 1t is, however, quite ma ural and proper.
II any such operation ss siege of Sebastopol
were going on at this time--as some people in
the country parts imagine-Canrooert's remark
would have no meaning at all; but as really
there is not and never has been any attempt to
besiege that place. the only military operation
now pending in the Crimea being the siege of
Balaklava and the height adjacent by the Rus
slams, the hope expressed by the French gen.
eral that he would "soon be able TO act on the
offensive" is quite opportune, aud must have
been cheering to his country men.
There never was military operation which
met with more coiemporaneous comment than
this Crimean expedition. From Dukes in Par
lament to country editors, every one has had
his fling at the allied leaders; and though
many foolish things have been said, as always
happens on such occasions, yet among the
claff much shrewd criticism has been EXPRESSED.
Thus it was undoubtedly mistake to land on
the Crimean shore, and march southwark,
without securing Perekop and the isthmus
81. Alnaua tried to defend this by saying that
he intended to take Sebastopol by coup de
man. II So why did he not do it? Having
abandoned the idea, why no. then send snip, to
Perekop to intercept the arrival OF the Ru ,sisns
who fought at Inkefmapn? It vas likewise q
blundeI, after the capture of the heights OF
Anna, to waste time in burying the dead aud
so FORTH instead OF pressing on instantly gains.
the North side Of Seoastopol 1t my or may
not have been correct in a military point of
view to make the flank movement to Balaklaya
instead of marching directly forward; but the
latter was the more rapid maneuvre, and the
chances are that it would have been more sac
cessfal than the plan which was adopted. Hav-
ing occupied the heights to the south and east
Of Sebastopol, it was deadly mistake on the
part of Lord Raglan to leave the redoubts near
Balsklava in the hands Of troops who could not
defend them; and worse one, when they
we're tekea, to sacrifice the light brigade, in an