The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-13
MIR. Stewards Speech ON the Crisis-N0
Prospect Of Compromise.

MIR. Stewards Speech ON the Crisis-No
Prospect Of a Compromise.
The speech of Mr.. Seward, delivered in the
Senate yesterday, on this great crisis of Union
or dissolution, peace or war, is before our
readers. We might properly apply to 1t the
old fable of the mountain in labor, were ii not
that this delivery discloses something more
formidable than mouse. With all its soft and
silky professions Of forbearance, patience, con-
Citation and compromise, We apprehend that
this speech closes the door of reconciliation,
and proclaims coercion as the deliberately
chosen policy of the President elect.
Authoritatively introduced to the country as
the Premier of Mr.. Lincolns administration,
there can be no doubt that Mr. Seward, in this
speech, has reflected the views of Mr.. Lincoln,
and indicated the full extent to which he is
prepared 10 60 in the way of peace offerings to
the South. The burden of this speech is the
blessings and the necessity of the Union on
the one hand to both sections, and on the
other the ruinous encumbrances and calami-
ties of dissolution to all parties concerned,
but especially to the slave States. In the
civil wars resulting from dissolution, they
are to suffer the additional horrors of servile
instructions. Upon these advantages and
blessings of Union, and these calamities Of dis
union, Mr.. Seward mainly relies for the main
tenance and complete restoration of the Union.
Conceding, however, the necessity of some
repairs of the federal government machinery,
he recognizes the propriety Of, and proposes
First-A faithful observance of the Fugitive
| Slave law with such notifications Of the law
| as will not oblige private persons to assist in
lis execution, and as will protect free men from
being carried of into slavery. In this propo-
sition is embraced the repeal of all laws Of the
States, whether free States or slave States,
which relate to this class of persons (negroes).
contravening the constitution of the United
] States the laws nf CanGraas tThs ----- g
repeal includes Northern Personal Liberty
bills and Southern police regulations in rcfe-
| renee to Northern citizens of color, and South
en State laws, present or prospective, con-
niving al the African slave trade.]
Second--A constitutional amendment forever
denying to Congress the power to interfere with
slavery in any State.
Third-While he never will, directly or in
directly, give his vote to establish or sanction
slavery in any Of the Territories, Mr.. Seward,
after admitting Kansas with her anti-slavcry
constitution, would be ready to lump and
admit all the remaining Territories in two other
States, il the thing were practicable and could
be done constitutionally.
Fourtl-H these measures were practicable,
he would prefer different course, TO wit
80
and disunion sLall have ended" and "calmness
shall have once more resumed its sway over
the public mind, then, and not until then
two or three years hcnce"-he says, 81 should
chccrfully advise convention of the people,
to be assembled in pursuance Of the constitu-
tion TO consider and decide whether any, and
what, amendments Of the organic national law
ought to be made
Fifth-He is in favor Of two Pacific railways
(as lobby compromisc), zone Of which shall
connect the ports around the mouths of the
Mississippi. and the other the towns on the Mis-
| souri, and the lakes with the harbors on our
| Western coast
| Having thrown out these propositions, Mr..
| Seward is ready to support the government "in
4
make to preserve the public peace, and to main
tain and preserve the Unions advising only
that il practice, as far as possible, the utmost
moderation, foroearancc and concilatcn.r
This is all. But what does all this signify? II
simply signifies the adjournment by the repub-
lican party Of any compromise with the South
until these eccentric movements of secession
4 Il a. hon
or three years hence and in the meantime "a
prudent yet energetic" enforcement Of the laws
| Of the Union.
Assuming, then, that the President elect, as
the anointed head of the republican party, has
| spoken through his chosen oracle in the Senate,
our SUSPENSE Is ended touching the chances Of
Union saving compromise from the republi-
can party in Congress. Mr.. Senator Trumbull
understood what he was saying when he de-
clared, in the early part Of this session, that
he had no compromises to make. II Is official
ly decrced now that the republican party have
no compromise to offer. IL Is manifest that Mr..
Seward Mr.. Lincoln and the republican party
in Congress comprehend but little Of the causes,
or the scope, or the spirit, or the tendencies OF
this disunion revolution in the South. Mr..
Seward treats il as mere rebellion OF "sedi-
toas combinations" on account Of the election
OF republican President, when II Is nothing
less than movement Of the South for Southern
safety against what Southern men believe TO
De an Inscriptions, ianatical and powerful
antislaVery party about 10 step into the ocou-
| patton Of The general government
We now somewhat more clearly comprehend
what i before us:-First, nothing in The shape
Of compromise. Secondly, the inauguration
| Of Mr.. Lincoln as President Of the United
States With seven. or Ten, or perhaps even