Washington sentinel., 1854-05-19
L WORD OF WARNING TO THE
FRIENDS OF THE NEBRASKA
BILL.

The day is fast approaching when the great
measure, which for FIVE months has engaged
the almost undivided attention of the country,
will have to be decided. All that adroit man.
agement, blind rage, and factious opposition
could do TO intercept, and clutch it in its pas
sage, has been done. Ingenuity exhausted it.
self in expedients, and impotent rage fatigued
itself into collapse. When the sun went down,
lamps were lighted and the miserable scenes
exhibited in the hours Of the day, were repeated
through the watches Of the night Morning
dawned upon drowsy and wearied Congress.
Eyes were red, limbs tired, but faction still as
serted its dominion. Some availing themselves
of the occasion to get little notoriety, with
great self-importance persisted in doing what
it does not require very extraordinary talents or
a large amount Of information to do--that is,
making motions to adjourn.
y However, we will not recall those unpleasant
scenes. They have passed. But the time is
approaching when the bill will come up before
the House for final action; and although the
storm to which we have alluded has been fol-
lowed by calm, we cannot repress the fear
that there will be another outbreak. When the
pinch comes, the excitement, now suspended,
will perhaps again break out. There will be
elimination and re.crimination. Nothing would
so much delight the aboltionists as to raise a
tempest and produce row. IF they could so
manage as to get warm impulsive friend Of
the bill into personal difficulty with one Of
its opponents, and make martyr Of the latter,
they would have ample material for declama-
ton and agitation for months to come. They
would have fuel to feed the flames they so well
love to kindle. That they. will endeavor to
provoke the Nebraska men into Incorporate
zeal and acts of indiscretion, no one who knows
The bulk of them can doubt.
We hope, however, that their labors to that
end will be Of no avail. We hope that they
will be permitted to waste their fury on the
desert air; that their impotent rage will be al
owed liberal vent that they may be suffered
TO writhe, twist and agonize, without exciting
aught of malice or resentment. We hope that
the friends Of the bill, looking to its great i'm
portance, having regard for the tranquility of
the country and the dignity Of Congress, will
march silently, quietly, but firmly, up to their
duty.
Those who win, are expectedto all ow to the
losers license TO indulge in repinings, lamenta-
tons, reproaches, and even lachrymose rage. 1t
$ the privilege of the loser.
Moreover, We confess that we never could see
my necessity Of deciding or attempting to de-
ide great and grave political questions by the
wager Of battle" by angry disputaton, or sour
ilous abuse. There is far more to admire in
vell-put fact, strong argument, or wellturn-
d period, than in a black eye, a bloody nose,
IF more decent wound inflicted either by a
'word or pistol-shot.
We hope, for the credit of our public men,
,r the credit Of Congress and the credit Of the
ountry, that the great question to which we
sfer will be decided calmly, quietly, and with
ignity. If there is to be wrangling, let it take
lace on the court green; if there is to be fight
ng, let it take place around the ballotbox
ather than in the halls of legislation. The
eope would rather do the fighting themselves
nan see the Capitol converted into bear
arden, and members of Congress with their
leeves rolled up pommeling each other in a
cry unstatesmanlike manner.