Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-03-31
The Principle of the Nebraska
Bill for the Future.

The immediate and papable consequences
Of the Nebraska bill have hitherto absorbed
public attention. The opponents Of the
measure have objected to its violation Of the
pligfted faith of the Government, made to
the People in respect to slavery, and to the
Indians in respect to territory; TO the de-
struction OF all confidence in compromises
or pledges, or laws of any sort; and TO the
GROWING act Of infamy, in opening the way
for Slavery into the vast territory covered by
the bill. The friends of the measure have
of course attempted to turn this torrent of
formidable objections--to excuse, 10 palli-
ate, to dodge,-doubtless hoping that the ar
dor of present hostility will burn itself ont
in time, or that the people will succumb at
last to this great wrong, rather than resist at
every peril. Both are sorely troubled by the
Present; both will yet turn their anxious
eyes to the Future, with even intenser inter
est and deeper trouble. Take a glance a.
head.
The Principle of the Nebraska bill is, that
Congress is to be stripped of all control over
Slavery in federal territory,-and the "set-
tiers" are TO determine that question. Con
gress therefore cannot prohibit settlers"
from taking slaves with them or IL any ter
ritory should be acquired hereafter in which
Slavery exists, Congress can impose-no con-
dition Of the requirement, such as that slave
ry shall be abolished either at once or at any
future time. Such is the new Principle
sought to be established. Now what do we
find proposed, coincidcnt with this establish
ment Of the doctrine that the Federal Gov
eminent is not TO interfere with Slavery P
There is
|. The annexation Of Cuba. President
Pierce has just sent instructions TO his Min
lister at Madrid to demand instant reparation
s from Spain for the " Black Warrior" affair,
and a change Of her management at Havana,
else the U. S. will take the matter in hand
after fashion not exactly diplomatic. In
short, while England and France are EN-.
ployed in fighting Russia, the President and
Cabinet think it an excellent time to rob
Spain of Cuba. Suppose this attempt upon
Cuba is successfui--and we believe it could
be taken IN a monih,-what is the effect of
the Principle of the Nebraska bill? OH
Congress cannot interfere with Slavery in
Cuba. Nobody but the " settlers" can touch
that subject-and the settlers arc not
merely shareholders, but slave stealers and
e-traders-piraies by act Of Congress-
Cuba, then, comes into the Union as a slave
State at once, and without any condition as
10 that matter for the future.
II. The Gudsden Treaty, amended by
the Senate, taking another slice Of Mexico
and including Lower California. Here will
again come in play the great principIe of the
Neb bill: Congress can neither prohib.
il Slavery there, nor prevent settlers" from
taking SLAVES there, although Slavery does not
now erist.
iii. We have expeditions across the 18TH
mus Of Darien, and all over Central Ameri-
ca, from the Pacific to the Atlantic, by its
great rivers all for developing the resour-
ces Of that rich territory, and for extending |
commerce, by canals and railroads. and its
ndIuluctut INtts tuSu 10 uic tulh uoWs 10
be sure--but Annexation follows, if the
country is worth taking and then Congress
cannot hare any thing 10 say or do about
.SlareJy in South .4mericd'
w. Saying nothing Of the British Prov
inces in the North, which may one day be
annexed, there is yet all the remaining terri
tory organized and unorganized, into which
the " settlers" may take slaves, according to
the principle of the Nebraska bill. Con-
gress cannot interfere.
In short, the whole American continent is
open TO annexation, and by the principle of
the Nebraska bill will be open TO Slavery,
so far as the action of Congress is concern
ed. Annexation Is the policy Of Douglas a.
Co. the policy, we may say, of the leaders
Of the Democratic party, and they propose
now TO assert as principle, that this policy
shall be carried out without imposing any
conditions as to Slavery.
Such is the principle Of the Nebraska
bill and il is intended that this principle
shall cover all territory, acquired or to be ac-
quired, and extend through oil time. So far
as the Federal Government is concerned, it
permits slavery in every foot of territory and
for all time. Such is the scheme If the au-
thors Of the Nebraska bill--stupendous IN
extent, and stupendous in rascalty. They
may hope that the wrath and indignation of
the People will be temporary; that they may
be wesried into compliance, or paralyzed by
party divisions, or diverted by some new
spectacle on the political stage--such as the
tragedy Of War, perhaps, with Spain and
France and England, or the farce of an in-
vasion of North America by Russia. But
the People are not to be thus deceived or
trned with. Every effort to siiAe the love
of Freedom will but increase the heat of
that popular passions every attempt to " crush
out" Freedom, will bring out fresh recruits
for her service every act of violence or
wrong will but increase the determination
TO resist. Every future act Of annexation,
or Of the organization Of territory, or of the
annexation Of States, will still present the
question of Freedom or Slavery. Congress
cannot be stripped OF its power and released
from its duty over Slavery, so long as the
People have the privilege of controlling
Congress by the elections. The men in pow
or may pledge as they please but they may
be sure that pledges against right, and in vi
olaton of public faith, will never be recog-
nizsd. Already is popular sentiment more
universal and more indignant against the
measure than ever it was against any other.
That sentiment is bound TO grow, Just SO
long as the attempt to strip Congress of its