The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-14
The Reaction In New England and tn,
North.

North.
Political sentiment appears to be under
going very extraordinary change in New
England since the election of Lincoln.
In some places complete reaction has
set in. Conservatism seems to have grown sud
denly into life under the pressure of COM
mercial disaster, present and to come, where
nothing but defiant fanaticism and disunion ex-
listed before. The elections for Mayor in the city
of Boston and four towns Of Massachusetts, re-
suited on Monday in the success Of Union men
over republicans. In Boston, now governed
by republican Mayor, the Union candidate
defeated the black republican by a majority of
over three thousand In Worcester, Roxbury,
Charlestown and Newburyport the Union can
didates for Mayor were also elected over the
republicans. These are facts of deep signif-
cancy, showing that in the very hotbed of abo-
litionism Q love of the Union and fear of the
terrible consequences Of dissolution are begin
ming to triumph over mad fanaticism.
But this is not the only omen Of the
spread of conservative sentiments in the
New England States. On the 9th of No
vember, the day of the Presidential cleo
ton, q member of the Massachusetts, Legis-
lature was to be chosen for q district in
the neighborhood of Boston the candidates
were Union man and republican, but there
was tie vote, which necessitated another cleo
ton, and it took place about ten days or there
abouts after Lincolns election. Itresulted in the
success Of the Union man by majority Of some
hundred and twenty. Again, take the recent &C
ton on ihe Personal Liberty bill in the ultra
republican Vermont Legislature. A motion
for its repeal was introduced by democratic
member; and, although it failed at the time, the
proposition has since been referred to a CON-
mittee Of three conservative men; and hence
the repeal Of this obnoxious law may be consi-
dcred as virtually effected. Rhode Island, we are
sorry TO say, has not acted with as much judgment
in this matter, for when the Governor was
elected as a conservative-was requested to
recommend the repeal Of the Personal Liberty
bill, he replied that he could not advise its re-
peal under threat. Rhode Island must be in
very happy state when it refuses to repeal
an unconstitutional law under what il pre-
sumes to call a threat.
Another example Of the effect which
the certain consequences of Lincolns cleo
ton upon the condition Of the country
are producing in New England is the action
which the solid men Of Boston are taking
to suppress the John Brewn demonstrations.
Six months ago such displays would not only
have been tolerated there. but welcomed with
eclas and enthusiasm. Now, however the peo-
pie are beginning to discover that the preser-
walton Of the Union is more important affair
than the apotheosis of John Brown. Upon the
whole, the reaction in New England il a healthy
sign Of returning reason, and will do much to-
wards allaying the excitement among extreme
parties on both sides.
That very remarkable and wholesome re-
action has been going on in all quarters Of the
Northern and Eastern States since the election
of Lincoln has been manifest: but then the
fact was only to be learned by the general tone
Of conversation, and by the more moderate
spirit exhibited by portions Of the republican
press, such as the leading paper at Albany,
and few others. In the recent elections, how
ever, we have Q practical proof Of the fact;
the popular vote deposited in the ballot boxes
is the true barometer which measures public
opinion, and that barometer marks the figures
thus In the following table Of votes cast at the
November Presidential election and the De-
cember municipal elections In New England