The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-12
The Nebraska Ball and Its Ornaments


The vote taken yesterday to lay on the table
Mr.. Richardson's motion to close the debate on
the Nebraska bill this afternoon, mayprobably be
regarded as q reliable indication of the passage
of the BILL Not long after these lines are read,
constitutional principle will probably have
triumphed, and the struggle which has con-
vulsed the country for the last four months
will have ended in the victory of reason and
loyalty. 1t is not to be expected that the van
pushed will at once resign themselves to their
defeat A call for mass meeting in the Park
to protest against the repeal of the Missouri
compromise has been issued by few free soil
ers in this city; and it is quite likely that some
other spasmodic throes will precede their re-
lapse into their normal state of quietude. We
have no wish to hasten the transition, or to
deny them decent period for mourning: but
we cannot help thinking that a few moments
calm reflection on the contents of another
column of this journal would tend materially
to soothe their wounded feelings and allay the
disappointment under which they are now
smarting.
by singular coincidence, we are enabled to
publish side by side with the closing debates on
the Nebraska BILL the proceedings of its leading
opponents assembled in exclusive conclave. AT
the very moment when Mr.. Richardson was
| moving the termination of the debate on that
measure, the American Anti-Slavery Society
was in session celebrating its twentieth ami
versary. The intense height which the slavery
agitation has reached, the tremendous efforts
which have been made to defeat Mr. Douglass
measure, the age of the society, aud the con-
spiouous position which many of its members
have long occupied before the public, all COM
bine to give to its latest proceedings peculiar
significance. Rightly regarded as the nucleus of
| the anti-slavery body in this country the So
| ciety over which William Lloyd Garrison pre-
sides may be fairly considered as the organ of
principles the executive of its government, its
type and its head. 1t took the lead in the opposi-
ton to the Nebraska bill, all the other movements
| which have been made to check its progress
| have been merely modelled on its course, and
| subordinate to its policy. Had the Nebraska
| bill failed, the members of the American Anti
Slavery Society would have been fairly entitled
to claim the event as triumph for them: for
the adventurous support they received during
the campaign from parties of nondescript strag-
glers was only effective inasmuch as it was con-
founded with their efforts, and contributed to
swell their strength The proceedings of this
| body, therefore, at SO critical moment of
their career as the present are full of interest.
| We learn from them what the true character Of
| the opposition to the Nebraska bill was, what
their own views and designs are, and what this
country may expect if the party they lead
should ever command majority in our ma
tional councils or sway the government of the
| confederacy.
The proceedings Of the anniversary meeting
were opened by reading passages from the
scriptures, singing and prayer. One day was
allowed to elapse without murmurs but on the
second the indignation Of the audisace at This
| plagiarism from Christian societies burst forth.
Mrs Mott, one OF the leading spirits Of the So
cicty, never heard Of such thing as singing
and praying at their meetings" and sneeriugly
recommended members TO do their praying
at home" Mr.. Blackwell was tender of shock
ing the prejudiees Of Christians" but censured