Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-02-24

liquor law--no matter which party may
claim the honor Of its final and glorious
achievement. A. DEMOCRAT.
MILRoY Jan'y., "a, 1854.
ES- We commend the following,
from the Louisville Journal, to those
who say that none but abolitionists op-
pose Douglass Nebraska Bill. We
could I'll our paper with similar senti-
ments from Southern papers:
speech of Senator Douglas la De-
fence OF the Nebraska bill.
This is among the ablest efforts the
Illinois Senator has ever made in Con-
gress, and is perhaps the most credit
able to his talents as parliamentary
debater 1t is well-considered, ingen-
ious, and specious, but it is at the same
time destitute Of real logical force, and
SO strikingly sophistical in its most
elaborate points as TO render it impos
sible to cherish any faith in the sinceri-
ty of its author. The substance of
its argument is simply this = That
the Missouri compromise was broken
by the North in l848 through the re-
fusal Of the House of Representatives
to adopt the principle Of that compro-
mise as the basis for new one for
another and totally distinct region of
territory; that thereby the South was
absolved from any further obligation to
observe the compact; and that the
compromise Of 1850 was subsequently
adopted by both North and South as
sweeping settlement Of the question
Of slavery in the territories, past pres
ent, and future, rs applicable to the
region under the operation Of the Mis-
souri compromise as to that expressly
embraced in its tcrms-in short, as an
al justment de novo, repeating all pre-
vious adjustments and superseding the
necessity for all future ones.
The naked statement of argument
is its overwhelming refutation in every
candid, dispassionate mind. The idea
that the rejection of the proposal in
| l848 to extend the Missouri compromise
line to the Pacific was Reputation of
that compromis as regarded the terrific
ry to which it already applied-that a
refusal to extend the principle of
specific settlement was a violation of
that settlement itself, absolving the
opposite party from its observance
is too paltry and contemplate to de-
serve a moments notice. If the North
considered the Missouri compromise a
hard bargain she had a perfect right
to refuse her assent to another oil the
same sort, without impairing the valid
ity of the first, or relieving the South
from her obligations to observe it. If
the North finally gained nothing by the
refusal, it is a matter that concerns
herself alone.
As to the import and purport of the
compromise of 1850, We repeat there
never was a doubt, until Senator Doug
las introduced his frebrand into the
Senate, for no other purpose. as every
day and every development make
clearer, than to re-inhame sectional
antpathies, and to subserve his person
al aspirations at the hazard of the per-
manence and welfare of the Union
We have seen or heard of nc man SO
false ohis own convictions as to declare
that, in his belief. the country under
stood the compromise measures while
vending as they are now interpreted Y
Senator Douglas. Not even Douglas
I himself, in the height Of his unblushing
eilrontery, has dared to say this dis
tinctly and directly; he intimaies it.
indeed, and insinuates it, and leaves it
to be inferred, but stops short Of perpe-
trating in plain terms so gross an out
rage upon the common sense of the
nation.
Upon the whole the speech Of Senator
Douglas shrinks from analysis We
can easily conceive that its delivery
was very impressive and effective, be.
cause It's matter is ingenious, and the
Senator's manner is admirably adapted
to make the most ola dubious subject.
But stripped Of is specious fillacics,
and clipped Of the essay on noninter-
vention which IS objectionable only
because 'mpcrlincnt, IL stands or falls
a mass ofas bold sophis.ry rs was ever
palmed OF upon men of sense.
The pro spccts are that President
Pierce will lorcr the Nebraska bill thro'
Congress ut The cnl OF the party lash.
We Ioresee rs iis consequence not only
of fierce and extended agitation now,
but the absolute destruction of the
confidence of the North in the plightc
filth of the South, and the future i'm.
possibility ofany adjustment whatever.
Ii the Missouri compromise be broken,
there Is an end 90 che era of compro-
misses. The sword viii then bo drawn
and he scabbard thrown away. The
passage OF the Nebraska bill will al
once sweep away those great national
compac.s which laid 10 rest the most
exciting questions in our history, and
launch the nation upon an intermina-
bic sea Of civil discord rs dark and
boundless and unknown rs the futur,
ilseli. Having, for these reasons, en-
tered IN earnest protest against it VI
shall await the result with The decpes
interest
rF-Women are attracted by resist
anee; and their love is like lightning
: which never enters room by an opcl