Washington sentinel., 1854-02-11

Missouri compromise is in effect abrogated by
the compromise measures of 1850. Some think
that the clause in question is still in full force
and virtue. Some have doubts as to the pre-
else effect of the last compromise upon that Of
Missouri. No law is wise law or good law,
that is not plain, clear, and precise. The more
important the subject in reference to which a
law is enacted, the greater the necessity for de.
fniteness and precision. Now, the most i'm
portant and the most disturbing subject in this
country is that of slavery. Any arrangement
! intended to establish full, final, and complete
settlement of it should be divested of all doubt.
Nothing should be left for misconstruction.
There should be no ambiguity. 1t should be as
clear as the noon-day sun. Impressed with the
Importance of this idea, the trainers of the
Nebraska bill have inserted in it clause re-
pealing the Missouri compromise, thus estab-
fishing on sure basis the constitutional doc
trine of congressional non-intervention. This
is an integral part of the bill, and those who
reject this feature of it are plainly hostile to it.
NOW We, III COHiiuou Win oehOio1 NA'S
been denounced by the Washington Union as
being "captious" and "factious, ''and as being
desirous o embarrass the administration. The
reason for preferring this charge is that we
have expressed dissatisfaction with the resolu-
tions Of the Tammany committee. We said
that they were insufficient.
Now, nothing on earth is further from our
wish or purpose than to embarrass the course
of the administration. We desire to relieve it
of every difficulty, and make, SO far as we can,
its path smooth and straight. We were in favor
of the Nebraska bill before we were informed
as to the sentiments of the administration in
regard to it. We expressed our opinion in our
paper. That is more than the Union can say.
When the views of the administration were
announced; when it was made known that the
weight of its influence would be cast in favor
of this bill, we were sincerely rejoiced. We
would scorn ourselves if we were capable of
saying aught to embarrass its course in regard
to it. We regard this great measure as too i'm
portant to be triAed with. We, in common
with the trainers and expounders of the bill,
and in common with the administration, would
do all in our power to increase its friends. We
would not drive off a single man from its sup
port Let all come who will come. We wish
that all were its friends, and none its enemies.
But we are factious," because we did not ap-
prove of the resolutions of the Tammany COM
mittee. We will make plain statement in
regard to the matter, and leave it to the candor
of our readers to say whether we were right or
wrong.
The Tammany committee adopted the fol-
lowing resolution:
~. Resolred, That the compromise of 1850
was a final settlement Of the question OF slavery
in the organization of new territories, and IN
the nature of permanent policy upon which
with patriotic sacrifices of opinion and feeling
both at the north and south) the democratic
party agreed to stand, and to which, in its prin-
cple and spirit as well as its letter, the democ-
racy of New York is determined firmly to ad-
here, as a guaranty against distracting revi-
walls of the slavery agitation on every occasion
of the organization Of new territory at every
successive step of our progress"
Very well, as far as it goes. But does it go
far enough? The Union says it does. That
paper says;
"This covers the principle involved in the
Nebraska question fully--it asserts the hnality
of the compromise of l850-it declares the prin-
ciple of that compromise to be q permanent
policy and, they express their readiness to ad-
here to it, in its principle, and spirit, and letter,
on every occasion of the organization ct new
territory What more could be required 7"
The vote on this resolution was 20 yeas,
nays.
A resolution adhering to all the compromises
heretofore made, and against their repeal, was
offered and lost A resolution in favor of the
repeal Of the Missouri compromise was then
offered and rejected.
Mr.. John Van Buren and band of his chosen
friends and adherents voted against everything
that involved the just and constitutional prin.
ciples of settlement. The rest Of the COM
mittee behaved better. But they did not 60
far enough. They said that the compromise
was a " final settlement" &C., but they ex.
pressed no opinion in regard to the repeal Of
the Missouri compromise. Now, the proposi-
ton to repeal this compromise is part and par
eel of the Nebraska bill; and if the support o.
that bill is the test of democratic orthodoxy
then the appreciation of that important repeal
ing clause is necessary.
1t is not true that we wish to embarrass the
administration. 1t is not true that we wish tc
drive off from the support of this bill those
known as softs. But if tests are prescribed
they should be observed. But it is said that
the Tammany committee intended to give in
their adherence to the whole bill. All that we
ask is that they will say SO. They can have
or ought to have no objection to thus express
ing themselves. They have come out from
among the Van Burens. They have left theil
former leader with corporafs guard and i
they shall decide to join the friends Of the grea
measure now before the country, and in such Q
manner as to dispel all doubt, we shall be sin
cerely rejoiced.
In conclusion and once for ALL We give