The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-09-11


fairly infer that no occasion viii be lost to in
crease the political chances of Jefferson Davis
and his associates and to strengthen the influence
Of the slaveholding States. Whatever is done
consttutionally and fairly cannot be objec ted to-
but the appliances and means used to accomplish
the result, Judging from the proceedings in Kan
sas, may not be SO regular.
Disguise 1t as we may there is no doubt that
an attempt win be made, through the peculiar
position of the Vigilance Committee, and the
threats held out to them, to procure a division OF
California into two States-the upper portion to
remain free State and the lower to be
come slave State. This scheme is not without
its difficulties, however as we may readily per-
ceive. The Vigilance Committee have thus far
avowed their objects to be the restoration of the
freedom Of the ballot box, and the enforcement of
the laws against UNPUBLISHED offenders. If the
presence of the army and navy will secure this,
their functions would Immediately cease. 1t is
very probable that, with the election of new
Legislature, which has already taken place, the
Committee have voluntarily ceased their labors,
and the army and navy will have nothing
to do.
But if the State authorities, in The cessation Of
the further action Of the Committee, proceed
against them, and if the courts determine TO eyer
else their authority against those who have tenn
porarily taken the power out Of their hands,
there may be chance to carry out the schemes
which, by common rumor, is charged upon Jetfer-
son Davis and his associates. Thus, for example.
if Judge Terry should endeavor to bring within
reach of the bench the parties who ar
rested him-if the United States courts should
proceed against those who took possession Of the
United States arms, and those by whose direction
it was done, the Committee would be in an I'M
pleasant predicament. Further difficulties would
arise, and the United States forces might be used.
In this state of affairs compromise might be
suggested as the best method of obviating the
new difficulties. An agreement to divide the
State in the manner we have suggested would
no doubt, be satisfactory to the projectors Of the
scheme, and in this way the South would gain q
new State to their number, and two Senator'S IN
Congress be secured
But can this be done? win not the new
Legislature pass laws ~ oiicc granting SchSi d
amnesty? VIII not the Committee Of Vigilance
be in the ascendancy in that body! And if the
United States troops act at all under the direc-
tion of the administration, win not the President
be compelled, according to usage, to precede
that action by proclamation which will promise
an amnesty to all who submit to its require
ments? 1t is highly probable, under existing
circumstances, that the whole plan will be folled,
and that for the present California viii remain
zone and indivisihle."
The mystery must, therefore, remain unsolvel
until we hear first the nature Of the instructions
which have been sent out, and next, the position
which the people Of California win take when the
scheme is placed before them for their con-
sidelation.