The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-07

Senator Wilson Dennlng HIS Pouatle~>,
The AneS-Slavery Sentiment or tns
Nerth.
In another page of this days paper we pub
lish letter of Mr.. Wilson, United States Soma
tor Of Massachusetts, in reply to the letter ad-
dressed to him by Quaker, Henry G. Wright
which recently appeared in our columns. In
this letter Mr.. Wilson produces evidence 70
convict Wright of gross misrepresentation and
sneaking meanness, which, indeed, are charaa-
teristic of the abolition party; and, as far ~
the meeting at Natick Is concerned, the Senator
has the best of the argument. But this does
not end the matter. We have something fur
Their to say about the reply of Mr.. Wilson,
whose position as United States Senator gives
weight to his words, and will not permit - -
pass them by without comment.
While this gentleman repudiates the action
OF John Brown and the overthrow of slavery
by violence and bloodshed he declares that
he abhors slavery, pities the lot Of the bond
man, and that his Senator Wilsons) position
is that Of peaceful, legal and constitutional
opposition to human slavery in America Now
herein lies the very essence Of the danger
which threatens the existence Of the
Union. 1t makes no difference to the
South whether the North abolish slavery By
force Of arms, or by law of Congress when
ever it has a majority to carry that measure.
Either mode is equally Objectionable and OBJ
noxious to the South, for either strikes at is
domestic institutions violates the sovereign
rights of its States, but, above all, breaks the
compact made when the Union was formed
and the constitution signed by the represents
tives of the several States. At that time ala
very existed in all the States, and not only tho
non-interference Of Congress with it is guaran-
teed, but the active assistance of the several
States to restore all fugitive slaves to their
owners. To attempt, therefore, to get rid Of
slavery in any way by the action of Congress,
against the will of those States who think pro-
per to retain it, is direct breach of faith. To
attempt even to circumscribe its expansion BY
indirect means is an infraction of the spirit of
the solemn league and covenant made between
all the States; and when the spirit of the In
strument is violated the letter is good for mo-
thing. It is impossible to keep the States
united if the compact on which the Union ia
founded is not observed. The constitution Of
the United States will become waste paper-a
violated treaty instead of bond of union.
By all nations covenant breakers and violators
of treaties are justly abhorred, and If the North
break faith with the Southern States, it will
become abhorred, at least in their eyes, and
that is sufficient to render the Union impossi-
BILE. To compel the South to remain in the
Union against its own will Is an absurdity and
contradiction, for in that case 1t would be NO
longer Union, whatever else 1t might be
called. Mr.. Wilson would not abolish slavery
by violence and war, but he would do that
which would inevitably lead to both, or break
up this confederacy. The beggar in Gil Bias
asks aims on the highway with musket In his
hand, and he receives them because the travel
Ter has no option left If the South submit
to the will Of the North when the North inH-
mates that slavery must be abolished BY
peaceful means, 1t is because the South has no
other alternative. But the South is not likely
thus to submit to spoliadon, nor. Is 1t exactly
In the position Of the unfortunate wayfarer
stopped by the mendicant of lie Sage. Tho
unarmed man robbed of the silver in his pocket
may not be materially injured by it, and 1t is
hardly worth his while to risk his life in its de-
fence. But the South regards It's domestic
institution of slavery as vital to it's exist
ence, and will not only resist, but Is
prepared to do 80. 1t is in the position of
man well armed in his own house, attacked at
night by burglars. If he has any pluck he will
defend it to the last, and give the invaders Q
warm reception. There is, therefore, a self
contradiction in the position assumed by Sena-
tor Wilson.
Equally inconsistent is he when he says that
I" the people of the North deeply sympathize
with the personal attributes of John Brown,
and that they admire the rare heroism of cha
racter manifested by him no one can doubt.~
1t is this very sympathy with John Brown
this admiration of his characteristics elevation
of him to Z" hero" 80 "rare" as to make him .
demigod, which we have charged against the
republican party of the North, and which rem
ders their attitude and sentiments so alarming
to the South and so menacing to the Union.
And what is the :" rare heroism' which Mr..
Wilson and the people Of the North so admire
in John Brown, the horse thief, cutthroat and
convicted murderer? Dozens Of such heroes
might be found in the State prison of Massachu-
sets. For what is it that they sympathize with
him SO deeply and admire him so great
ly? Because he attempted to overthrow
slavery by armed violence in Virginia,
numbering both white men and black.
This Senator Wilson calls "rare heroism,"