The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-11-28
The Meeting Of Congrsss-UnioA Pro-
gramme or S0uthern Conservatives.

We are informed, through our Geographic
advices from Washington, that with the meeting
of Congress q conference of the Southern con-
servative members thereof will be held for the
purpose of devising, If possible, some new,
comprehensive and satisfactory compromise for
the preservation of the Union and the restora-
ton of harmony between the North and the
South.
Every patri otto citizen will approve this I'M
dertakirg. 1t originates in the right quarter
IL will represent the great conservative body
of the people OF the South, and especially of
the border save States, whose grievances
against their Northern antisl,very brethren
are positive, oppressive and substantial. The
Cotton States, in reality, suffer directly very
little from our Northern John Brown invasions,
abolition emissaries, underground railroads,
Jerry rescue mobs aud the anti-Fugitive Slave
law Personal Liberty bills Of Northern Legisla-
lures; but these things operate immensely to
the decentralization of the slaves, the deprecia-
ton of slave property, and to render life and
society insecure and subject to constant alarms
and dangers, and at any time liable to bloody
disturbances. In the single item of the escape
of slaves, via the underground railroad Go
vernon Msgofin, of Kentucky, puts down the
losses Of the people Of that State as amount
ing to not lees than 100000 per annum
The conservative representatives in Congress,
therefore, from the border slave States, whose
interests, Union or disunion, are and must be
more Immediately affected, for good or for evil
than any other portion of the South, may pro-
perly undertake this important duty of arbitra.
ton between the two sections for the mainte
nance of the Union. OF course the proposed
conference will comprehend the Union men,
beers from every quarter of the South in which
o member of this class may remain; but the
right, we say, of initiating a compromise will
properly attach to the border slave States. We
understand, also, that Northern conservative
members will be admitted to participation in
this proposed conference, and that when ma
tured, the propositions Of compromise resulting
from their joint deliberations will be laid be.
fore the two houses.
Such. as represented to us is the programme
contemplated In behalf of the conservative ele-
ments Of Congress to arrest these revolutionary
Southern movements which threaten to destroy
the Union, with the grand entrfe of Abra.
ham Lincoln into the White House. These
questions then recur:-First, what are the
grievances Of the South against the North
And, secondly, what measures Of atonement
will suffice To arrest the Cotton States from
the revolutionary act OF secession, The South.
ern States justly complain that the constitution
of the United States, and the laws of Congress
passed under II for the recovery OF fugitive
slaves, are outrageously trampled under foot
and that obedience to them, In many of the
Northern States, Is rendered civil aud criminal
offence by State legislation. Our Southern
brethren also complain that in every shape aud
form, by abolition MODS, conspiracies, emssa-
ries and agents. slaves are spirited away not
only from the officers of the Law In the free
States, but from the farms or plantations Of their
masters 10 the slave States, and that all these
offenders ana offences against the constitution
are directly or indirectly encouraged by the
local authorities Of the Northern States.
These are among the grievances of the South,
the two sections until they are remedied But
suppose that every State OF the North should
by New Years day repeal all these offensive
local laws, and provide for the fullest enforce
msnt of the Fugitive Slave act for the moe.
stringent pains and penalties against abolition
smisaries and agents intermeddling in any
way TO the prejudice Of slave property, and
for full compensation to the master for
every fugitive or kidnapped slave escaping
through any free State to Canada, would that
suffice 10 save the Union Perhaps not; but let
the Northern States be brought to these con.
cessions, and they will be In proper frame Of
mind to DO something more.
Tie frst thing demanded IL The absolute sus-
pension Of Mr.. Stewards "irrepressible con-
fict," and the recognition by TIE North of the
rights Of our Southern shareholders to their
slave property, wherever II may be found with
In the limits Of the Union. That point conced-
ed by each Of the Northern States. even Massa-
chusetts will be ready for the next proposition,
which 10 that the Southern States, in behalf OF
their institution Of slavery, are entitled 70 such
additional checks and balances In the general
government as mag be necessary to render
them hereafter secure against Northern anti
slavery parties and popular majorities This
proposition will, Of course, comprehend a re-
construction Of the organic law OF the Union,
and new constitutional convention Of all the
States 10 do this important work. II Is proba-
bic, too, that this very proposition may emanate
from this approaching Congressional conse-
renee, and II may be suggested In the Preei-
dents annual message
To carry any proposition Of this sor. through
Congress, some assistance will be needed from
the republican members. But can we expect
any such co cooperation from the republican par.
~ in Congress We cannot say but we know
that this party must prepare at once to co-ope-
rate with the conservatives OF the North and