Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-02-17
The Nebraska question.

gress, and also see that you are gro
ping In the dark in reference TO the
subjec not perhaps having investiga-
ted II, and. as all travellers who pass
through a strange land in darkness.
arc liable occasionally to make false
step. tumble into a ditch. or run
against a wall, 30 have you been
deceived. In some respects. and per-
haps lost your way and fallen into err
ror.
You are evidently Of opinion, that
Judge Douglass has, by has introduce
ton and advocacy Of the Nebraska
bill, "olfered ibid for Southern
votes" As you did not originate the
idea. you are chargeable with Il, only
80 Far as you give currency To- Il. by
is republication, and tacIt endorse.
ment.
The facts are. that on the 18th Dec.
last. the Hon. A. Q. Dodge Of Iowa.
introduced into the Senate, bill 10
organize tho Territory Of Nebraska.
which bill was entirely silent upon the
subject OF slavery. the bill was refer
red 10 tho Committee on Territories.
and that Committee on tho 9TH OF jan
uary last reported the bill, with asub.
stitute ~ an amendment.
The Report, made by Senator Dou'
glass. the original bill. and the subssi'
tutc. | herewith transmit TO you.
II will be well for you 10 bear In
mlnd-and your readers also--that
there are two classes Of persons In the
United States, who arc very sensitive
upon tho mention Of Slavery. aud very
often will not let any question pass,
where that subject can possibly BIO In.
lroduced, without bringing Il mp. /
moan the Slave holders who have an
interest and right 10 act In the prem.
Ises, and tho abolliIonista who have no
interest. and no right 10 in,ermcddle
with the peculiar Institution"
Immediately after the Introduction
OF Mr. Dodge's bill. II was found that
neither Of tho parties just alluded to.
were satisfied with the bill. The sla-
very man because his right 10 emf
CRATE 10 Nebraska with his property
under the protection Of Law was not
Recognized. and the aboltionist. be-.
cause thern was no prohibitory clause
contained IN the bill.
Neither party being willing 10 let ID
pass without an explicit enunciation
upon the subject.
The friends OF Nebraska wanted the
territory organized. That could only
be done by action, and action could
only be had after report from the
Committee. That report was made
through lis Chairman, Judge Douglass.
Asyou charge him wiM the act. think
he Is entitled 10 be heard, therefore
respectfully request that you publish
that Report and also his speech suisse
quently delivered upon the subject. !
do so because know your readers de-
sire TO read both sides Of this question.
deny that the action Of Judge Dou-
glass, on the question. Is a bid for the
Presidency. His report is an able
one. and his speech Is inyincible, let
your readers SEQ for themselves aud
judge.
Another errorl sec you have fallen
into. which Is not TO be wondered at.
You seem TO think that the,diyision of
Nebraska. and the attempt 10 organ.
ize two territories was the work OF
slave holders. md iaieaasd ~ .....
promise; another Turkey uzzard
operation; design on their part TO
create one slave State and giving TO US
of the north q frco--alias Turkey. Buz.
card Stato--and by tho way do you
really think my dear air; that the sla.
very side Of 80. 80. Is the Turkey and
the free side the BuxzardY | have
always thought that in the celebrated
case Of White man ~. Indian, the
former got the best game, and have
always thought the free States much
the best oil, perhaps am wrong.
The simple truth. in reference e
this charge. Is, that II Is groundless.--
The South had nothing TO do with IT,
| believe Il il conceded at Washington
TO be small job Of work accomplished
by your unworthy correspondent.
As early rs October last. | marked
upon M map. nj home. the line Of
division. and commenced stirring the
question. knowing rs | did. the vast
extent Of good soil. In the Territory
and is adaptation 10 division. and
the necessity Of such division. | under.
took 10 accomplish the object which
thought so desirable.
| arrived at Washington the day thai
Judge Douglass made his report, oil
course too late TO get the plan arrang-
ed for the division, but afterwards, by
the assistance Of others-gentlemen
of influence. who became satisfied
that my plan was right-the commit
tee consented To make another report
providing for two territories. This is
simply the true state of this case.-
Your idea therefore Of this being a
southern plan, the work of slave hold
ers, is "mares nest" which | hardly
supposed you would have found.
But to the main point: understand
you to take the ground that the oh
section of the act of $50, prohibiting
forever. slavery north of SO. 80. was !
solemn compact, entered into between
the north and south, and, as such
ought to be adhered to in good faith
A solemn Treaty between this and
any other Government, ought to BE-
strictly kept. All laws of Congress:
enacted in conformity with the Prov
sions Of the Constitution. ought to be
enforced. And. all acts of Congress
made in opposition TO. or without au.
thority of the Constitution. are void.
These three are correctpropositions
as you will, think. allow.
You do not contend that the act oil
1890 is a treaty. Neither | suppose