Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-11-22


A little knot of slavery propagandisls in the SEN
ate of the United States prevented the Nebraska
country from being erected into a territory at the
last session Of Congress
The hill establishing territorial government
passed the II ,use by very large majority, and
would have passed the Senate II direct vote upon
it could have been obtained. But on motion Of that
inierminahle political tape worm, Senator Borland,
the motion take up the bill in the Senate laid
on the table the last day, and during the last
hours of the Session.
The men who made opposition 10 the bill, besides
Borland, Adams of Mississippi, Butler of South
Carolina, the Texas Senators, and others. Several
Northern Wing Senators even voted against taking
up the bill, aud John Bell, Of Tennessee, made a
speech against it, on phanIhropc grounds, but, in
our Judgment, without full understanding of the
question.
The cat was let out of the bag during the discus
sion by Senator Atchison, 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
the last session. was, perhaps, as much opposed
to the proposition as the Senator from Texas now
is. The Senator from Iowa knows 1t; and it
was for reasons will not mention or suggest"
But in his secoud, which soon followed he con-
quered his reserve, and let out the secret as fol-
lows:
"Mr. President, viii now state to the Senate
the views which induced me TO oppose this pruro-
stion in the early part of the session.
had two objections to it.. One that the In.
ed. A. at least very small marion nc il had been
Another was the Missouri ComDromise. or. as il il
commonly Called. the Slavery restriction, II was
nv opinion at that time-and am not now verv
clear ON that subiect-tbat the law of Congress- when
the State OF Missouri admitted into the Union,
excluding Slavery from the territory of Louisiana,
north of 90 deg 30 nm, would be enforced in that
territory, unless it was specially rescinded. and,
whether that law was in accordance with The Con-
stitution OF the United States or not il would do lis
work. and that work would be TO precIude slave
holders from uoino into thar tarrtory Ri v,bor
came to look into that question. found there was
no prospect, no hope of a repea of the M,ssouri
Compromise, excluding slavery from that territory,
Now Sir | am free TO- admit that at this moment
at this hour, and for all time to come, should ON
pose the organization Or the settlement of that terri
ory unless INV constituents and the constituents If
the whole South. of the Slave States of the Union
could 90 into it upon the same footing, with geoual
rights and equal privileges CARRYING that species of
property with them, as other people oil this Union
Yes, Sir, I acknowledge that that would have ooy-
erned me- but have no hone that the restriction
will ever be repealed
Il have always been of the opinion that the first
great error committed in the political history of this
country was the ordinance of 1857, rendering the
Northwest Territory free territory. The next great
error was the Missouri COMPROMISE. Bul theV are
both irremediabe. There is no remedy for them
We must submit TO them. | am prepared TO do So
Ii is evident that the Missouri Compromise cannot
be reneaed. So far as that question Is concerned
we mightas well agree to the admission of this ter
ritory now as next year, or 5 or 10 wears hence
Mr. AIchison occupied the same ground al the
beginning, 1t seems, as the Mississippi South Caro-.
Ina, and Texas Senators did at The close of the
Session This gentleman hailed at The start under
the influence of the Southern propagandisis. but. his
sides being well pricked by the public sentiment of
his own State, he Withdrew his opposition 10 organ
izing the Territory on the explanation given in the
extract above.
1t IS here made very plain what the real opposi.
ton TO the admission of Nebraska arises from 1t
is simply because it is free territory The Slavery
propaganGists ready enough for annexation of
Siaue States, but set their faces early and late a.
gainst anything like free soil. And these gentlemen
have defeated, so far, the organization of Ferri-
torial Government for Nebraska purely ON this
ground.
The tone Of recent discussion on this tCpc makes
ii manifest that those who have opposed the estab.
lishment Of the Territory OF Nebraska now intend
to make more determined and Iawess opposiiion than
ever. notwithstanding Slavery is excluded bv The
Missouri Compromise from the territory MOI IN of Sc
deg 80 min. it is sloullv and impudenty urged that
Slavery shall nevertheless be permitted in Nebras.
ka although the Territory lies wholly north OF this
line. Mr.. Atchison's remarks are not only conclu.