Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-02-10
The Nebraska Bill.

We need make no apology TO our readers
for having occupied so much space as we have,
on the history of the Missouri Compromise.
Its relation to the great question which is to
be debated in Congress-as We Judge, for
months to come.-is too important to admit
of its being passed by with n brief allusion-
as if every body was familiar with all the
points Of that matter. We believe on the
contrary, that as to uhot was done, and why
it was done, and Who dld il, there is a very
superficial and %inexact knowledge among The
peoll lie at largr.
The main points Of argument which were
relied upon by the chief dehaters Of that day,
we hope to set forth before long, but not now.
they did on the case Of Missouri, and there
are others of great weight.
The proposition Of Mr.. Douglas. andothcrs
to insert in Il bill for organizing the Territories
OF kanzas and Nebraska, an ahrogation of the
great condition of the Missouri CompyomiS, =.
which WAS to protect forever from Slavery all
the Territory acquired from France by the
treaty Of 1903, which lies north Of latitude
50 degrees and 20 minutes, except what was
included in the State Of Missouri. i. certainly
one Of great audacity
That Territory is larger than all I,c New
England States with New York and P"nnsvl-
vania added to them. To open all that coun-
try TO the admission Of Slavery would he, in
our opinion, an cnormity unsurpassed by any
that was ever witnessed on this continent
We are not ready to admit just now. thar We
are to gee il committed, Notwithstanding the
exuherant tone of many presses at the South
and at the North. We should expect that,
naturally from the South, though we are glad
to see the scheme spoken of Will decided dis
favor by some influential ones there. Til.
tlinging up of caps which we see from those
Northern presses which stand ready t. copy
the motion of the one which gives the word
of command at Wa saington. as it i. repeated
to them, autoinaton like, by the regular fu-
glers in New York, Boston and New lianp-
sire, ought not to he looked for, though t.
their shame it is seen, even in Vermont. We
suppose they look at it only in the light Ui
PreS'denf m0Eing-as "A thing which rests ON
no deeper grounds than the enactment Of
an ordinary popular or unpopular law, which
can be made one year and un-madc or modi-
lied the next. \ few weeks will show them
and all others who favor, or oppose it on such
grounds, their mistake. Atmv rate. if such
is the character Of the men, who at present
have the law making power in their hands at
Washington, that the measure propGscd can
be settled atlrmativcly within "a few DAYS, or
IA few weeks even, We may a, we'll, all of Us.
save our words and our time. Public meet
!ngs, resolutions or newspaper articles can do
little good, for We are sold already.
Looking at the subject as we do, We be-
liryc We can serve the cause of truth. honesty
and i],oedo'n hc.ter by keeping cool, and dis
cus>ing the subject with drlibcration. al
though with more labor to ourselves than
would he necessary for ii daily column of fiery
dcnunciation,-ha,ing no fault to find how
ever, with these who choose to work in am
other way.