Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-14

A SETTLEMENT OF The fRoUsLKs APPROACH
fse-The able speech Of Mr.. Seward, delivered
on Saturday, foreshadowed unmistakably the fol-
lowing as the terms on which the Administration
Of which he is to be the premier, will strive
to effect q settlement Of our existing national
troubles:
LIST. The future observance by the North In good
faith Of the constitutional obligation to return
fugitives from labor, to be brought about by
repeal Of all existing personal liberty bills, and
the amendment Of the fugitive slave law so as
that Its particularly Objectionable features ito the
North) shall Be expunged, while 1t shall not be
weakened In Its effectiveness.
I'd. The incorporation into the Constitution Of
provision declaring that Congress shall never
abolish or legislste upon slavery In the States,
Cd. Immediately after admitting the territory
that now stands lawfully ready to come into the
Union, and to the admission Of which-Kansas-
as a state, no one longer seriously objects, to
divide all the remaining territory Of the United
States through to the Pacific, by the parallel Of
s. 80, and to form of Il two States one north Of
that line and the other south Of it both to be ad-
mitted Into the Union AZ soon their inhabitants
can adopt constitutions, and with such constitu-
lions they may please to adopt SO far as slavery
IL concerned.
In his speech, Mr.. Seward wisely forbore to os-
sumo TO initiate the measures necessary to carry
out those views; insomuch, we take IL for granted
as because the fact that they could be charged al
being his measures, would tend greatly to weaker
them at the South, while the fact they bill
would be very likely also to array against then
all at the North who must necessarily be disap
pointed in the composition Of the incoming Cab
met, Of which he is to be the premier.
Thus, he has but stated to the country the term
upon which be evidently stands ready to do hi
best to restore to II internal peace
We firmly believe that in a week, or at most
fortnight, such demonstrations will come from
every northern State as will make II plain beyond
denial that 1t is universally accepted there, eIcep
by the radical anti-slavery party, to be swellee
perhaps POO 600 voters larger Through dissatisfac
ton with the pfoPcsition) Of the class Of Republi
can party voters represented by Messrs. Sumner
Wade, Lovejoy, ct al.
We also believe that by the 4th Of March It will
be well regarded by overwhelming mejority O
those at the South really anxious for the contin
uance Of the Union Or, in other words, We be
lieve that 1t will be accepted by the country tn
basis Of a settlement Of the slavery question upo
which all the States will continue together Ii
peace, happiness, and prosperity, quite as long a
they have been under one government up to thi
time.
Elsewhere in the Star to-day the reader vii
find our synopsis Of that portion Of his spec
spoken after we went to press on Saturday last
As whole, no more powerful effort was eve
made In the Senate Of the United States, nor on
more truly patriotic. In II Mr. Seward abandon
much indeed Of the dogmas OF his party, az b
avows, to the end Of saving the Union. Will
he has thus given mortal ofenss to the extrem
republicans, he has set an example TO those at tt
South who value TIE Union, which they will, "
earnestly hope, be swim to emulate. His ever
word towards the South breaths peace, concili,
ton, and concession.
We need hardly say that his speech has had IL
haPpiest conceivable effect upon those Of Ii
South here disinclined towards the proposed e,
pertinent Of the destruction Of the Union, and tn,
his argument TO show the dangers involved In 1
destruction Is overwhelming in Its conclusiv
ness. As whole, Mr.. Stewards effort fails
meet the appreciation Of but two classes OF me
in public life Of those North and South who
only remedy Ii the sword of the abolit!o nists .
80, and Of the disunionists psr ss-both Of who
comprehend clearly that peaseful and satisfa
tory settlement Of the troubles Of the times wi
involve the instant destruction of their power
work further mischief