The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-06

men, like Mr. Stephens, of Georgia aad Senator
Hunter, OF Virginia. The former lately gave
to the country speech which will live forever
with the best efforts of the patriots and ssges of
every epoch He now writes short private
letter, by which 1t is evident that he has the
meet serious apprehensions. Senator Hunter
reviews the whole question, and shows tn At
coercion is out of the question. The Senators
letter is long, but it will be attsntivsly read
Notwithstanding. As to what is before u. no
man can tell Much depends upon the &C lion
of the Congressional Committee Of Thirty three.
No body of men since the world began has had
greater, more solemn and more important
responsibility In Its charge than this committee.
If the cotton States can be induced 70 keep
quiet until an amendment to the consti-
tuition has been acted upon. all may
yet be well. But the cotton States
csnnot be expected to do this while the domi
nant party in the North ia obstinate, Indifferent,
sullen. or defiant We call upon our black
republican friends to give their special atteu
tion to most i'm portant point in Me-. Stephens
letter. He takes the only tenable ground, l. e.,
that secession ia revolution and that revolu
tion would be even more disastrous to the
North than to the South. Mr.. Stephens is quite
right. In the event Of secession, the real bat
tie OF the South would be fought In the North
where there are fifteen hundred thousand voters
arrayed In opposition to the doctrines of the
republican party. The government would have
it's hands full in endeavoring to suppress an
srchy and treason at the North and therefore
could not carry out Webb's idea and whip the
South into submission. We have ALSO In all
our large cities, what are called the dangerous
classes-thieves, rowdies and vagabonds-ns-
tive and foreign, who would seize upon
the disorders OF the State as pre-
text for Wholesale plumber, and would
receive large achievements of laborers
made reckless and desperate by hunger.
Thus we should find both the federal and the
local governments altogether inadequate to
protect the life and property Of the people, who
would proceed to resume the powers de eg ated
to them; committees Of safety aud vigilance
would be established, military dictators would
arise, and the free States be separated into halt
q dozen petty sovereignties.
The South would suffer in less degree, "a
the people in that section are united upon he
principal point in the controversy. There is a
difference OF opinion as to the question Of 30
cession; but, once outside of the Union, the
South would be even more firmly united than
were the old Thirteen after the Declaration OF
Independence Compared to ours, their task is
an easy one.
Men and brethren, ponder well upon these
things We live in times when no step should
be taken without the most serious, almost reli-
gious, consideration.
The Administration Of Criminal Justice
I'm New Yorx-Tne maiIiHan Gaze.
The case of William Mullgan, who was con.
victed the other day of obstructing an officer
in the discharge of his duty and of attempting
to kill him, is rather a singular one in many
respects. AS Mulligans counsel have brought
the whole matter before the Supreme Court
on review, 1t may be as well to refresh the
public memory with the facts in the case.
Mulligan, the accused, belongs to that pecu.
liar class Of the community known as fancy
men, although the general public has no great
fancy for them He stated In court that be
was "a cooper by trade but had not worked at
1t for many years." leaving us to conclude that
be joined that noble army--the soldiers OF
which toll not, neither do they spin and yet
ouishine Solomon in the bravery of their appa-
rel. They are often TO be seen In Broadway on
Q fine afternoon; they never miss horse race
or prize fight; they are hdbitufS Of gambling
houses and other disreputable places; they
always have on hand very large
stock Of political influence, which they
are ready to dispose Of at the lowest
cash price. They have, once in while,
fight OF two among themselves, and occasion
ally get into the hands of the police. The lat
ter gentry, however, are either very thick with
The sports or very much afraid Of them, as
The number Of times they are arrested bears
a very small proportion TO the sum Of occasions
when they deserve II.
One Of these gentlemen, John Morrissey-he
has achieved certain sort OF reputation
keeps common gambling house, and Is there
fore liable at any moment to be sent TO Sing
Sing for two years. Mulligsn comes to the
bower Of Morrissey, and inficts various and
sundry wounds upon the delicate feelings Of
that person. Morrissey sends for the police,
and directs the officer to put Mulligan out,
when the latter draw, pistol aud threatens
the officers life. Mulligan thinks better Of the
matter, however, and does not resist the Law
any further On this state Of facts it is alleged,
be has been convicted under al indictment
which charges that the pistol was actually dis.
charged at the officer, and the counsel for the
accused asks for new trial, on the ground that
the conviction was against evidence.
There Is . curious underplot 70 this drama.
Mulligan has been, In his halcyon days, the In
innate friend of many distinguished people
Senator'S, lawyers, journalists and politicians Of