Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-08
DISCUSSION ON THE STUMP.


and a smaller number in the Senate.
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DISCUSSION ON THE STUMP.
The adjournment Of Congress will renew, on
another theatre, many of the discussions which
have marked the session just finished The
members, when they arrive in the midst of
their constituents, will naturally seek to justify
the course they have pursued as representatives
of the States, and of the people, and aspirants
for the places they fill will endeavor to array
the people against them.
For while we may expect to see the Ne
braska agitation renewed in the north and
northwest. It was fast subsiding, but crcum-
stances may impart to it renewed vitality for
while. In the north and northwest the foes
of that great measure misled many by false
statements, and intimidated many by deafen-
ing clamor that would scarcely permit the
truth to be heard. But despite the rawlings of
infurated fanatics truth has begun to find its
way among the masses, exposing the mean
tricks and shallow devices which have been
resorted to for the purpose of forming new
sectional organization.
AS we have just remarked, the adjournment
Of Congress will tend to renew the Nebraska
discussion but the renewal will take place un-
der more favorable auspices for those sound
democrats who voted to uphold the Constitu-
ton. Hitherto their enemies have been able
to misrepresent their course and malign their
motives at o distance-to assail them afar off
and in secret Congress having now adjourned
they can meet their enemies face to face and
inAict merited chastisement upon them-repel
the calumnies that have been invented, explain
the true principles of the Nebraska bill, and
expose the selfish ends Of those who wish to
form new organizations for dangerous purposes.
Many important elections will soon take place.
A large portion of the next House of Represen-
tatives will be chosen before the first of Decem-
Der, and unprincipled alliances, appealing to
passion and exciting prejudice may overthrow
some good and true men. But the repeal agi-
tation cannot last. 1t has no real basis but
such as reasonable sentiments furnish. A
large portion of the northern people-even of
those who were misled in the beginning
now that the idea of repeal is visionary and
ridiculous. 1t will be twelve months from De-
cember next before new Congress will assem-
BILE. If, then, the northern whigs..and abolition
lists should succeed in commanding majority
in the House of Representatives, the Senate
would check any factious attempt to repeal the
Nebraska bill But even if the Senate should
change its position, it is not to be supposed
that the President would give his approval to
an act of repeal. Then it must be borne in
mind that another President cannot be inau-
gurated until March, ls47, and no Congress
will meet until the following December.
1t is clear, therefore, that the advocates Of
repeal cannot expect the accomplishment of
their purposes until lS4S, even under the most
favorable circumstances. Before that time
the condition of Nebraska and Kansas will
be beyound their reach. But they do not ex-
pect 10 accomplish the repeal Of the Nebraska
bill, now, or hereafter. They only hold up q
false light to lead the people Of the north
astray--to separate honest men from their
associates, and delude them into trap. For
little while fraud and deception may prosper ;
but their life is brief amongst a virtuous and
intelligent people. They cannot form the basis
Of a permanent organization in this country,
and the people Of the north will soon perceive,
if they do not perceive already, that the clamor
for repeal is ridiculous and senseless, offering
no probability Of any practical result as a basis
Of party cohesion and CO operation.
When this fact is made plain TO them, they
will scrutinize the residue Of the creed of the
agitators-not with confidence but with doubt
and distrust--and they will find that it con.
tains nothing but hostility to the Union, and
narrow, vindctive sectionalism, springing from
malice, sel6shness, and ambition. The threat
TO prevent the admission Of slave States or the
annexation of slave territory, TO abolish sla-
very in the District Of Columbia, and to organ
ize crusade against the Constitution and the
south. cannot be accomplished, as every one
must perceive, without destroying the confed
eracy; and none but wicked men will follow
those who promise them such ruinous results
Unprincipled fanatics and bankrupt politician
may, in their frenzy, or their desperation, fol
low banner which is stained and polluted b.
such reasonable inscriptions, but such men d.
not constitute a majority in any section, or il
any State, or in any district Association
formed Of such materials may live for while
by cunning receptions and successful fraud, o
corrupt alliances but they must soon becom
loathsome to all patriotic men, and perish en-
tirely.
DEATH OF THE HoSDunAs MrNIsTER.--Do
Jose Barrundia, minister plenipotentiary fror
Honduras to the United States, died in Ne,
York on Friday evening, after short Illness
u1o~s The J,,,,,.J n IT,