The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-30

with copies Of leading newspapers and appro-
pirate documents, that may car onviction to
the hearts of those whom black republican
mendacity has led astray. The right kind of
papers should be circulated by twenties and
ffties Of thousands. They should be brought
within the reach Of every citizen People do
not want such trash as the ridiculous Union
pamphlet, In which one grain of wheat is
scarcely to be found in bushel of chat. They
require constant daguerreotyping before them
OF the State Of the country, as is to be found in
that portion of the newspaper press Of the North
which remains conservative, disinterested and
national. II is palpable that an overwhelming
movement Is on foot in this State, tending to
the destruction of rotten cliques and the entire
reorganization of the democratic party, and
We trust it may 60 forward in the right direc-
ton, which we have pointed out.
The Connict ON which We Are Drifting
Important Action o. the Virginia Lee
gfslature.
In another column will be found two docu-
ments Of high significance and importance in the
present complicated pass to which the political
affairs Of the country have been brought by
the logged persistence of the black republi-
cans and the divisions Of their opponents in the
House. One Is the report of the joint committee
Of the Virginia Legislature on the Harper's
Ferry outrages, and the other is the nom
intercourse act reported by Mr.. Barbour
from the Finance Committee of the House of
Delegates.
The first OF these documents will be
read with interest, not only for the
conclusions ct which 1t arrives, but for
the ability with which it discusses the
whole Of the issues connected with the slavery
question. Nothing can be calmer or more tenn
perate than the tone In which the committee re-
view the history Of the institution and the dis
loyal manner in which the various compacts
and compromises into which the South has been
induced to enter have been observed. It was
hoped that the measures Of 1850 would have
eGectually discountenanced any further agita-
ton on this subject, but the Kansas-N Nebraska
bill revived with increased bitterness all the
sectional feuds which had been temporarily
ailayed by them. Whilst the committee
acquit a large number Of the Northern
people of any positive or active participation
In these acts Of aggression, and whilst they &C.
knowledge the good feeling which dictated the
recent Union demonstrations In the North, they
yet do not attach any great value to them.
Abstract resolutions are, in their opinion, of no
avail unless followed by corresponding action.
Az long a. the conservative people of the
North remain passive, and permit agitators and
fanatics TO all high positions and act on behalf
Of their respective States, they cannot escape
the responsibility attaching to their declara-
tions and acts Those who have II in their
power 10 prevent the perpetuation of wrong,
and fail to do Il, must to . great extent be re.
sponsible for the wrong itself Thus the con-
sentative men Of the North are responsible for
the organization and action of the republican
party; and - long as Its leaders are permitted
70 invade places of high trust, and to avail
themselves Of the power thus given to work
mischief II cannot be expected that the South
should acquit those who suffered them to &C.
quire this disturbing influence of the blame
which properly devolves upon them.
The justice Of these conclusions but few pa
triotic and right thinking men will dispute. They
merely establish results to which we haya
been long and earnestly pointing, and they
prove the spirit in which the election Of re-
publican Speaker would at once be received by
the South. That the committee have no con-
adence In the power Of the conservatives of the
North to stem the tide of fanaticim and treason
Is evident from the recommendation which
they offer. They call upon the Legislature to
put the militia Of the State on an efficient Chat
ID to say war; footing; 10 pass measures 10
secure the commercial independence of the
South; to encourage foreign trade, and to pun
sh abolitionist incendiaries. The non-inter-
course act reported by Mr.. Barbour is, as it
will be seen, extremely stringent In its provi-
sions, and insures, by system of licenses and
heavy penalties, the objects which it is
intended to carry out These are the
first positively reactive results Of the insane
schemes which, finding premature disclosure
in the John Brown raid, are now openly avowed
and acted upon In the attempt TO force into the
Chair Of the House Of Representatives q man
who has endorsed the wicked and reasonable
sentiments Of the Helper book, or some other
candidate who 10 equally obnoxious 10 the in
terests Of the Southern States Unless the
patriotic feeling Of members terminates ut once
. struggle, the prolongauou Of which ID arous-
Ing the worst fears Of the South, there IL reason
to fear, % shown by our letters last week,
that the Southern Legislatures will follow, enc
afser another, the example Of Virginia. When
II 10 too late 10 recall the consequences Of d.
visions which have no excuse In the presence
Of common danger, We shall probably dad q
union Of sentiment ~ 10 the follies that were
committed whilst such weighty interests were
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