The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-05-14


political revolution that is now going on every
where in the country would take philosophic
view Of the past, they would have no difficulty
in comprehending its import and the positions
into which they will be carried, whether they
consent or not.
For thirty years the fanatical abolitionists
have been agitating their insane theories.
Needless of the ruin which the supremacy of
their ideas, in the old French Assembly, and
more recently in the British Parliament, has
brought upon the French and British West In
dia colonies. their aim from the beginning was
to make the slavery question an element of o-
litical discussion and action. With this purpose
in view they flooded Congress with anti-slavery
petitions, mostly signed by women and Sunday
school children, which first alarmed the South,
and brought up the question of the right of Pc
tition But Notwithstanding all their efforts, they
could not make the slavery question a political
one. Parties were divided on the prac teal is
sues of currency, tariff and internal improve
ments, and men would not trouble themselves
with abstract ideas.
The first step of the abolitionists on the pc.
litical platform was in the celebrated Wilmot
proviso introduced in Congress in the winter
Of 1861. Other issues had died out or been
settled. The Sub Treasury was in successful
practice; the tariff was settled on the revenue
principle TO the manifest advantage of ali, and
the internal improvement question had trans
fused all parties. Under the guise of the Will
mot proviso, abolitionism obtained political
existence, and the irst fruit oft was the Bufa-
10 platform in ls4s. From that time 1t ragged
In the political world until 1850, when the dan
gers to which the constitution and the Union
were subjected by 1t reused the giants Of the
race Of expounders-Cal Clay and Web
ster-to the last effort of their expiring career.
The compromise of that year was accepted with
public joy everywhere, and the first great con-
sentative wave against the fanatics rolled over
the ocean Of public sentiment from Passans-
quoddy to the Rio Grande, and across to the
shores OF the Pacific.
The Presidential election of 1852 was the
practical demonstration of the triumph OF this
conservative revolution. Party lines we're in
great measure broken up. jackson and Cal
houn were dead. Clay expired In Jnne, when
the political campaign was just opening. weo-
ster, withdrawn from public life, had sought
rest in the shades Of Msrsh6eld. The arena of
active politics was abandoned to the minor
politicians who still occupy 1t, and these ar
ranged the plan of the campaign. wearied
with countless intrigues, the democrats at Bal
tiinose, after long struggle, united on an un-
known man from New Hampshire. The want
OF prestige which attended the name Of Pierce
controlled the policy OF the political abolition
lists, and led them TO endeavor TO counteract
the weakness of their canse by the personal
strength of their candidate. They put in nomi-
| nation General Scott, whose illustrious name
conirasted strongly before the people with that
| of his unknown antagonist The veriest tyro
in politics knows how that campaign was con.
Quoted. Everywhere the impression was felt
| that II General Scott was elected he would
be compelled 10 submit 10 the indu
ence Of the political abolitionists Of
| the school Of Seward; and II told
| with immense effect ct the polls. The election
| Of Pierce by majority In the Electoral College
which has rarely been equalled was the second
great conservative wave that rolled over the
ocean ofpublic opinion.
With the compromise measures Of 1850, and
the election Of General Pierce, which was their
emphatic endorsement, the country gladly be
lieved that the slavery question was excludes
| from politics, and confined to the field of mora
and abstract discussion, which Is its appropri
ate sphere. But the Pierce administration wa
false 10 the trust conhded TO II, and, combining
with Douglas, the whole subject was restored
1 TO the political field by the Kansas. Nebrask,
bill. The FIRST result Of this great politica
| mistake was the violent reaction In the popular
mind against Pierce and the democratic party
which exhibited itself In the Know Nothins
and opposition triumphs 10 the local election,
everywhere, and the powerful combination ia
| the Northern States in favor of Fremont In
1856. The nomination OF Fremont was due Il
this conservative reaction, and not TO the innu
ence OF the political sboliuoDisis Of the Seward
school, who proclaimed that II was made by q
mob, and their leader openly declined 10 sup
port IT,
Since the campaign Of 1856, the political
sboliionists have endeavored By every posi-
BILE means TO make !, appear that they are sup
ported by the popular sentiment. Blu, nums-
rous events plainly indicate that such Is not
the case. Stewards brutal and bloody speech
at Rochester in 1858, at once alarmed the con
sentative spirit Of the country, and his threat
on the 7oor Of the Senate that he would reor.
eanize the federal courts was remembered
with new significance against MIN. Helpers
handbook Of revolution was published, but en-.
cited no curiosity until II was read by the
flames Of Jcha Rrova's attempt 70 incise q