The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-23


THIS CRIsrs.-Of all men in Congress Senator
Seward is most conspcuously identified with
the 'irrepressible conflict between the North
and the South on this troublesome subject Of
slavery. OF all the republican stump orators
of the late Presidential campaign, Mr. Seward
most Extensively to the South depicted the de-
cisive consequences of Mr.. Lincon's election
against this vital Southern institution of slav-
cry. In the very outset of his tour from
Massachusetts to Kansas he predicted that
"Lncoln's election will be the downfall Of
slavery" But he never dreamed of the up
rising of this awful Southern spectre of dis
union. His incrsdulity upon that subject was
apparently immovable, but at length he is
doubtless undeceived.
He must be as well aware as Mr.. Lincoln
unquestionably is Of the imminent dangers of
dissolution, yet Mr. Seward, like Mr.. Lincoln,
opens not his mouth, and has ceased his
correspondence on public affairs. 1t appears,
however that on Saturday last Mr.. Seward
entered the city of Albany, and that he re-
NAMED there till Monday noon, "doubtless
affording ample opportunity for consultation
with his lifelong and sagacious friend,
the senior editor of the Journal Thurlow
Weed. BY what the younger Weller would call
ga VERY singular coincidence" in this connec-
ton, the Albany Journal of Monday reproduced
its propositions of compromise, including a
choice between popular sovereignty in the Ter
ritories and the Missouri compromise line II
is supposed, in word that Mr.. Weed in these
propositions has spoken according to the coun-
sells Of Mr.. Seward, and the Albany Atlas
Argus. upon the faith of this Interpretation,
considers this curious coincidence an en-
couraging sign in behalf of the Union.
But why should Mr. Seward go all the way
from Washington to Albany at this inclement
season to employ his friend Thurlow Weed as
feeler of the republican pulse Of New York,
when speech from our cautious Senator, from
his place in the Senate, would thousand times
better answer the purpose? If Mr.. Seward is
disposed to act upon the compromise PROPOSE
tons put forth through the Albany Journal let
him come out in good stiff Union speech in
the Senate, taking back his "irrepressible
conflict" and advancing half way to the
South with his olive branch of peace.
Senator Hale has spoken, and the
best that he has offered the dis
unionists il war of subjugation. Senator
Wade substantially says that he has no COM
promises to make, and that If the secessionists
want war, they can have it to their hearts
content
What has Senator Seward to say? Is he
ready to abandon his Rochester platform, but
afraid to come OUT Let him speak, by all
means, if inclined to the compromises put for
ward by his friend Weed, for thus he may bring
even Honest Abe Lincoln to the rescue. Or
is Mr.. Seward waiting for Mr. Lincoln to lead
off, II 70, let him wait no longer but show by
his example what Mr.. Lincoln ought TO do. In
the meantime, until Mr.. Seward shall have
spoken for himself to the contrary, the country
will regard him as still sticking to his Rochester
platform Mr. Weeds propositions Of compro-
mise are from Thnrlow Weed, aad he has been
brought TO them from patriotic desire to have
a good and prosperous time in the White House
kitchen under Mr.. Lincoln's administration
Weed has been using the niger only as a
lobby agent. Seward, we dare say, rejcices In
the present aspects Of his "irrepressible
conflict