The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-11-19

and in the secession movements to expel Secre-
tary Holt from tie War Department, to which
he had been called at the eleventh boar by Mr..
Buchanan; and in the attempts Of the Senate
traitors to remove the troops called to the de-
fence Of Washington, Mason was the ringleader
Driven at length from Washington, be turns up
next in Winchester, Virginia, with manifesto
warning his loyal neighbors that they must bow
down to the Moloch Of secession or leave the
State
Thus much for Mason Too proud Of his
blood and his caste to stoop to the common
herd politicians he is simply thick-headed
Southern fanatic upon that one idea his hatred
of the Yankees. He would rather be q subject Of
Queen Victoria than a colleague again Of VIII
son, Sumner and Seward, in the Senate. upon
sny terms. He would submit to the abolition
OF Southern slavery under England sooner than
accept the protection of slavery under vulgar
rail-splitter like Lincoln OF course, Mason,
with his long diplomatic training as Chairman
Foreign Relations in the Senate, would, as the
Ambassador Of Davis in England, know how to
deal with the weak points of Lord Palmerston
and Earl Russell, and would rather than fail in
escaping from the Yankees sell the "Confede-
rate States" cotton and all, for mess of pot
tage
Slidell is altogether different man. He is
the very model of cunning, stealthy, slippery,
keen, dextercus, INSCRIPTIONS, intriguing poll
tician. Any trick any man, any Instruments
are acceptable to him, if he can use them.
During the last few years at Washington he
has been in every plot, every clique, every
movement, to break down the government
to break up the democratic party, and
TO break up the Union. Spells, plumber
and political power are his objects in every
enterprise and the end will justify the means
What chance would be opened to such a man
in the chaos of Southern rebellion. This is
the key to the treason of Slidell. This is the
key that admits us to the splendid social recep-
lions at Washington of the accomplished and
fascinating Madame Slidell, and the charming
circle of Southern beauties always around her.
Taking the cue from her, the hospitable man
sions of Cobb, Thompson, Gwin and other lead
ing secession conspirators became alike cele-
brated for their social soirees; and tins u
Southern social oligarchy was established in
Washington. which controlled President, Cabi-
net and Congress, under the festive admlnistra
ton of our poor old deluded bachelor, Bu-
chanan. He was thus inveigled to the abyss Of
destruction as prize OK is led to the slaughter,
bound in garlands of flowers.
Slidell, therefore, with his French Louisiana
training, and his charming, accomplished and
thoroughly French family and French asso-
Citations, and with his deep cunning, his perse-
vering industry and skiltul management of men,
was the man for JEFF. Davis at the Court of Louis
Napoleon What might not such man hope
to accomplish there in behalf of a French Vice.
roy for the South, with the Golfers of the MIL
dionaire Washington banker Corcoran at the
service of his dainty little Secretary Of Legation,
Eusts!
Captain Wilkes, however, has introduced
Mason and Slidell to an entertainment some
what different from that to which they were
commissioned. Mason will chafe under the
fortunes of an exile and Imprisonment in the
midst Of the Yankees; but he will still be able
to look upon Slidell with something of com
passion, as upon an unfortunate Yankee brought
back to grief among his own peculiar people.
Upon this point however, there is not much to
choose between them; for, while Slidell has
found in Captain Wilkes fellow New Yorker.
Mason will remember his captor, Lieutenant
Fairfax, as the descendant Of one Of the " 6rst
families of Virginia"