The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-11-30

ut the last session OF Congress.
The bill establishing a territorial government
passed the House by very large majority, and
would have passeddhe Senate if direct vote upon
4 could have been obtained. But on motion of
that interHinable political tape worm Senator Bor-
land, the motion to take up the bill in the Senate
was laid ou the table on the last day, and during
the last hours of the Session.
The men who made opposition to the bill, be-
sides BorIsnd. were Adams of Mississippi, But
jsr Of South Carolina, the Texas Senators and
others. Several Northern Wing Senators even
voted against taking up the bill, and John Bell. of
Tennessee, made speech against it, on phIan-
thropic grounds, but, in our judgment, without
full understanding Of the question.
The cat was let out of the bag during the dis
eusson by Senator Atchson, of Missouri, who
tried twice before he could make up his mind to |
reveal the whole story. In his first speech he |
said :: -
"When came to this city at the beginning of
she last Session was perhaps much opposed
to the proposition as the Senator from Texas now
-. The Senaior from Iowa knows it ; and Il ,oas
for reasons sciH not mention or suggest"
But in his second, which soon followed, he con-
quersd his reserve and let out the secret as fol-
bws:
Mr.. President, will now state to the Senate
the views which induced me to oppose this propo-
sition 10 tie early pars of the Senate.
:. had two objections TO it. One was the In-
aanlite to that territory had not been exinguisb-
cd, or at least very small portion of it had been
Another was, the Missouri Compromise, or as it
. commanly called the Slavery Restriction. Ii
WAS my opinion at that time and am not now
very clear on that subject-that the law of Con-
gress, when the State of Missouri was admitted
into the Union, excluding Slavery FROM the Terri
tory of Louisiana north of 36 deg. 80 min., would
be enforced in that territory unless it was special
ly rescinded; and, whether that law was 10 ac-
eordarce with the Constitution of the United
States or not, it would do its work, and that work
would be to preclude shareholders from going into
that Territory. But when came to look into that
question, found that there was no prospect no
hope of repeal of the Missouri Compromise. px.
oluding Slavery from that territory. Now. Sir l
am free to admit that at this moment, at this hour
and for all time to come, I should oppose the or
ganzation or the settlement of that territory un-
less my constituents and the constituents of the
whele South, Of the Slave States of the Uuion
could 60 into it on the same footing, with equal
nights and equal privileges. carrying that species
of property with them as other people Of thie
Union. Yes, Sir, I acknowledge that that would
have governed me. but have no hope that the
restriction will ever be repealed.
I have always been of the opionion that ths
first great error committed in the political histor,
Of this country was the ordinance of 1887, render
ing the Northwest Territory free territory. Ths
nsxt great was the Missouri Compromise
Bot they are both irremediabe. There is ps
remedy. for them. We must submit to them
am prepared to do it. It is evident that the
Missouri Compromise cannot be repealed. So
lar as that question is concerned we might as well
agree to the admission of this territory now as
year, or five or ten years hence.'' a'1
Mr.. Atchison occupied the same ground at the
beginning, it seems, as the Mississippi, South Car,
ohna and Texas Senators did at the close of the
Session. This gentlemen apparently halted a,
the start under the influerce of the Southern pro
pagandists, but, his sides being well prcked BY
the public sentiment of his own State, he Withdrew
his opposition to organizing the Territory on the
explanation given in the extract above. 's
u is here made very plain what the real oppo
sitop tos the admission of Nebraska arises from
~ II rs simply because it rs free territory. The
Slavery propagandists are ready enough for an
1exation Of Slave States, but set their faces earl
and late against everything like free soil. An
these gentlemen have defeated, so far. the organi
zation Of q Territorial Government for Nebrask
purely on this ground.
The tone OF recent discussion this topi
makes it manifest that those who have oppose
the establishment of the Territory of Nebrasks
now intend to make more determined and lawles
opposition than Notwithstanding Slavery
excluded by the Missouri Compromise from th
territory north of 36 deg. 80 nin it is stoutly an
irnpudentiy urged that Slavery shall neverthele.
Be permitted 10 Nebraska, although the Territor
lies wholly north of this line. Mr.. Atchison's re
marks are NOT only conclusive as to what the Sls
very prepagandists want, bat are clear as to th
difficulties that beset the way OF these Union
saving patriots.
The discussions to which we aude are feeei
shrowh out to ascertain how far the public mind
debauched on the subject of Slavery, and to whit
depths of degradation it may be counted to d.
scend, and what outrages it may be expected
tolerate under the existing regime of anti Ere,
Soil Democracy. 1t is loudly demand that Cul
shalfbe annexed as Slave State, that CaIf,rn
shall be divided, and Slave State carved out
the southern half and, fnaliy, that Nebrask
aying al north, as it does, of 36 deg 80 min., SIN
DO opened to Slavery.
Let no one indulge the idea that this scheme
regards California and Nebraska is chimeric
They are absolute and fixed objects. at which Il
Slavery propagandists are steadily aiming al
msfhodieally driving The re-agitation of Il
Slavery question has been deliberately opened
this State, as seen in the between the Har
and the Softs. The secret history Of this NOV
ment is not yet written. There is more in it th
appears on the surface. There is more 10 it ,h
simple revenge for slight 10 the distribution
public plunder more in it than mere oppositi
20 the men or the measures of this Administrat