The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-03-31
Democracy and siavery In South Carolina
and Missoulf-W nat Of the Future.

Wepublish this morning very remarkable ar
tcle from the Charleston Mercury, in connection
with the slavery question aud another and most
extraordinary one from the st. Louis (Mo) Demo
crai in behalf Of the policy Of gradual emancipa-
ton in that State; and taking these two articles
together, they lead us to some very interesting
general reflections and conclusions.
The Mercury is the leading organ of the most
ultra sectional doctrines and views of John
G. Calhoun; the Democrat is the home organ
Of bis most virulent democratic antagonist,
Thomas Ii. Benton. The former journal sees
no hope Of safety for South Carolina and
her institution Of slavery except in secession
and Soahcrn confeoeracy; the latter no
satisfactory prospect for the full develope-
ment Of the industrial resources Of Missouri ex-
ccpt in the abolition OF slavery. Which is right
ard which is wrong? Clearly, while emancipa-
ton would b. the ruin Of both races in the eli
mate OF South Carolina, it would result in the
highest advantages to State with the climate Of
Missouri. II is as natural, therefore, that oar
Charleston cotemporary should contemplate the
continued war Of the North upon Southern slave
ry with sensitiveness and alarm, as that our St
Louis philosopher should regard this still In
crcasipg Northern anti-slaveiy agitation with
something OF active sympathy
Reducing our inquiries to narrower com
pass, we perceive in this essay Of the Mereuy
upon the political bearings Of the bred Scott de-
cision, the incipient elements Of Southern ultra
detection against Mr.. Buchanan's administration
and "the usages Of the party" The Hsrcuy
will listen TO none of these sweet democratic
chantings over the spoils and plumber, of 'pea,e,
peace, when there is no peace" IL looks back
al the tremendous popular Northern outbreak
for Fremont in 1856 with a shudder aud at the
prospect of the democracy in the North for lsGO
with despair. 1t says "in 60, when We meet
again, let us see to il that we have large
swamp behind US, In which il may be convenient
to cool off and luxuriate after our next tri
| umph" The meaning of all this is that neither
Mr. Buchanan's Cabinet, nor his inaugural, nor
| the bred Scott decision, nor the harmonic ID
democracy over the spoils, can any longer be re
| lied upon by the secession faction Of the South
| but that they must hold towards the adninistrs
ton and ts party the defensive position Of de
| clsred enemies in the camp.
At the other extreme, the st. Louis Dcmccyo
| charges the initiative Of the emancipation agi
| taton upon the national democratic party,
and says that "uncballcnged add unassailcd,
that party, in Missouri, with recS essness which
looks like fatality, placed slavery on its ban
ner before the world; and they are nov con
| scious that sentence Of doom II impending
| Now, here We have a democratic faction whict
aided In the election of Mr.. Buchanan, seplratin,
from the party upon a local ISSUE and practic a.
| ly joining hands with the republican party, be
cause the national democracy" ask too much in
behalf Of slavery. In South Carolina, and among
The scccssionists throughout the South, neither
the administration nor the Supreme Court Cat
satisfy the demands Of the slavery ultras aud
there Is threatened party rebellion among them
| in active process Of organization.
How, then, are these diverse materials to b.
reunited in 1850? The course Of Nr. Buchanan
| is plainly marked out. He has entered upon il
and has only to follow it steadily, consistently
ard fearcssly through. Though the democracy
should be split up into a dozen hostile factions
be has only to follow out the cours,
be has adopted in order TO retr,
from Office with The approval Of Oh,
country. Thus, looking TO the country NOR,
thar 20 The party be can aiiOd TO regard tnes,
intestine i,uds in the camp With perfect iudif
i,rtuce az far as bis personal ambition is cor
ouL,d. Dut with these existing sympto NJ .
dreord and disruption among the democratic
| forces alronAH rodnced u a learlul aggrcgal,