The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-24

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The Position OF the Fight In Congress
Desperate Condition of the Black Re.
publtCans.
The conflict that is now going on in Congress
is one Of the most important that has ever
come up between the great and growing iate-
rests Of the country. 1t involves far greater
results than the old bank discussion, tariff de-
bate, internal Improvement theory, and the
numberless conflicts between the different in
terests that have thrust themselves into the po-
litcal field; for it includes the very existence of
banks commerce, manufactures, public works
and everything else in its all embracing results.
1t is well, therefore, that we should take view
Of the field and scan the position of the fight.
Six weeks ago yesterday the representative
men Of all parties met in the halls of national
council During the time that had elapsed
since the Sd of March last the brutal and
bloody philosophy that Seward preached at
Rochester had been developed in the incen-
diary counseIs Of Helper, and carried into
practice by John Brown. The practi-
cal operations at Harper's Ferry reused
the attention of the whole country to the
incendiary and agrarian teachings which Helper
had compiled, and which John Sherman and
sixty-seven other black republican members of
the last Congress had endorsed and recon-
mended. The examination Of these led to the
exhibition of their logical connection with
Stewards abolition platform laid down at
Rochester. The course of the black republi-
can party was evident 1t is caught in the
de6le passing from the theoretical abolition of
Seward to the practical incendiarism and civil
war Of Helper and Brown. The conservative
feeling everywhere poured its battalions upon
the heights that guarded either side, and for
forty-two days the black republican party has
stood at bay, fearing the advance towards the
open plain of abolition, which will bring GER
tain destruction, or to retreat to its old posi-
ton of theoretical Sewardism, where desertion
and disintegration await it.
During all this time the national forces have
kept up steady fire upon the party and its
black banners, with marked advantage, both in
the field and before the country at large. Men
everywhere are becoming more conversant with
the danger into which the abolitionized black
republican leaders are striving to lead them, and
the logged silence they have maintained has in
spired the ultra abolitionists in their ranks with
suspicion, and the misguided conservatives who
had followed them with dismay. John Sher-
man, the admitted leader, has, on several occa-
sions, endeavored to beguile the national men
into fallacious capitulatioA. He insists that
his personal honor is attacked, that he did not
know what he was doing when he put his hand
and seal to the Helper plan of campaign, and
that he will disavow it personally under GER
tain conditions, and if the national men will
let the republican party go on in their iniqui-
tons schemes. This is most righteously re-
fused to him, for it is nothing more than a
snare; and the republicans who have so long
stood at bay and in silence, now announce
their intention of opening their batteries. So
much the better. This will the more clearly
define their position, and afford clearer aim
for the conservative men.
When Mr.. Sherman assumes that the resolu-
ton Of Mr.. Clark, Of Missouri, is personal i'm
parchment upon him, and demands its with
assumes too much Importance to himself The
resolution is an impeachment Of the whole
black republican party, that has put forward
Mr.. Sherman as the representative of its aboli-
ton and incendiary principles The country
does not care fig for the personal
opinions of John Sherman; and in putting for
ward his claims that a salve shall be provided
for his wounded feelings, he simply places him
self and his notions of honor in the first place
before the vast interests of thirty millions of
people. If Mr.. Sherman really feels that he
has committed great wrong leth come for
knowledge it and repent. But while the party
which is pressing him as its leader still circu-
lates and recommends the teachings of Helper
as good black republican doctrine, and clings
to the brutal and bloody philosophy Of Seward,
and its postulates by Theodore Parker, he per,
sonally is nothing in the fight The vital inte-
rests of the whole country are menaced by the
course of the black republicans, and Mr.. Sher-
man can make no personal explanation which
can exonerate the party, whose members still
cling to and inculcate its odious principles.
Through the constancy of the conservative
and national men the fight is beginning to as
sumo new aspect The black republicans are
dismayed at the prospect which the waning
support they have received from the popular
voice now opens to them. They must speak,
or stand till they are finally overwhelmed
by the rising tide of conservative feel
ing This change of tactics on their
part will open anew the whole field of discus
sion, and there they have little to hope for. 1t
was only by working in secret through corrupt
political organizations, that they could hope to
succeed. Error brings no danger while it is
open and truth is free to combat it. Let the
national men in Congress continue firm in their
resistance, and seek honestly the means of that
union among themselves which is so rapidly 60