The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-21

THE ABOLITION CONSPIRACY IN TIE NORTH
AGAINST THE SourH-TEsrIMoNY FOX THE HIVES
1IGATINd CoMMlrTEE.-We learn from Washing
ton that the Investigating Committee unaui
mously voted by the Senate on Mr.. Mason's
motion to inquire into and report all the facts
in relation to the Harper's Ferry affair, has
been organized, provided with clerk, &c,
ard is now quite ready to 60 to work.
This committee has great task to perform
In SINE respects, it is the most important body
that has been created by official action since
the foundation Of the republic. It's investiga-
tons should be minute, thorough and search
ing. The evidence upon the trials of the per-
sons absolutely engaged in the raid upon Vir-
ginia was confined, US matter of course, to
the action of the prisoners in the dock who
were seized as traitors with arms in their
hands, and the proof of the simple fact was
alone required. But, through the public press
and in varides other quarters, it has been
charged that nearly all of the leaders of the
black republican party were cognizant of Old
Browns intention, and that some of them as
sisted him in it. The Virginia affair was looked
upon by Brown and his associates as the natu
raj and logical extension of their Kansas work
and the former was conducted in the irregular
border war fashion of the latter Before
Brown went to Virginia. as it appears by the
evidence of Colonel Forbes the plan was made
known to Seward and other leading republi-
cans. Gerrit Smith, and other wealthy men of
the same party, furnished the money wherewith
to carry on the war, and it is quite evident
that without the aid of some Northern men
who stand high in the opposition ranks, the
nsurectonaryattempt Of John Brown never
would have been made
1t will be proper, then, for the committee to
take the evidence Of Thurlow Weed, Horace
Greeley, Tbaddeus Hyatt and Colonel Forbes,
as well as that Of the leading republicans, en-
dorsers OF Helpers book in Congress. Gree.
hess to testify as to his share in the Harper's
Ferry affair, must not run away from this com
mittee, as be did from former one. He must
obey the subpoena promptly. Greeley and
Hyatt had the charge of the Kansas fund be-
tween them, and it might be important to as
certain whether or not any part of the moneys
subscribed for Kansas helped to buy pixies for
Harpers Ferry. All these Kansas agitators
should be brought before the committee and
subjected to the most stringent cross .examina-
ton.
But all the witnesses who should properly
country. Mr.. Seward, and his colOred coadju-
tor, Fred Douglas are abroad. Mr.. Seward will
probably arrive quite in time to explain to the
committee why he kept the intention of Brown,
Forbes and others secret, and to clear up
some other doubtful matters connected with
venient to leave this country about six weeks
ago, but having the cac@thes scribendi strong
upon him, has written a curiously impu-
dent letter from England. We publish
this moroccan elsewhere, and it is worthy Of par
ticular attention. 1t shows that in spite of the
failure of John Brown and his men, and the
grand uprising ofthe conservative sentiment
of the North, the deep laid scheme Of the aboli-
tionists to bring on an irrepressible con-
act has not been abandoned. They have ear
nest friends among the Canadian politicians
who desire to foment discord in the United
States. John Brown it seems, did not hit the
right plan; but that is reserved for some
other attempt. The standard of instruction is
to be raised in the Allegheny mountains
and the negroes are to be invited to rally
round it. Thus Virginia is to be covered
with sorrow and blood" to use Douglass
own words. Meantime, the underground rail-
road is to be kept up, and the faithful are to
send their friends to the Canadian terminus of
the line. Gerrit Smith, as Fred thinks, has
gone crazy because he was not permitted to
say all he knew about the Harper's Ferry af-
fair; and there is something very mysterious in
the dark insinuation that those "who fettered
Mr.. Smiths mind are responsible for his in
sanity" This letter Of Douglass, and the other
testimony which will undoubtedly be obtained
by the committee, will convince every one
that the danger to our country has yet to be
met, and met with the strong hand.