Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-01-30

ton on the part Of some Of the Very Hards
to sustain the amended Nebraska territorial
bill Of Senator Douglas, which certainly en-
is.cd some days since, has vanished apparently.
This is doubtless owing to the expostulations Of
Mr.. Cutting and the two or three gentlemen
from south of Mason's and Dixoh's line, who
have so far stood up in defence of the cause
of the Hards as against the Softs The
Softs are also very generally coming to the
conclusion to face the music With the Hards
unanimously for the bill, and the Administra-
ton more emphatically for ii, than for any
other measure pending before Congress, and
with all of the Softs who in the canvass of
lS4S sustained Cass, also standing up for it,
there is not now the slightest doubt that it
is destined to be recognized everywhere as the
great Democratic party issue of tho day-ones
Identification with the great Democratic party
of the country depending hereafter on his po-
sition with reference to this bill. This fact is
already so apparent to those in Washington
versed in politics. as to leave little doubt on
their minds, that oil the original Barnburners
in Congress who are sincerely anxious to re-
remain connected with the Democratic party.
will also sustain the bill The Southern Wings
to man are for it, as well as some of Mr.
Flllmore's Northern friends; while, of course
it is to receive the vote of every Southern
Democrat. Being the immediate offspring of
Mr.. Douglas, amended, too, so as to present
its peculiar features at the suggestion of Gen
sral Cass, the particular supporters of both
those distinguished gentlemen give it their
hearty appreciation. Under such circumstances,
that man must be mentally blind who does
not see in advance that it must triumph. This
moral certainty Of Its triumph, as might be
expected, tends greatly to strengthen it. The
very certain effect of its enactment upon the
future Of the slavery question as a National
issue, also operates to incline towards it mod
| crate Legislators who are tired of the inter
minable ding-dong on Abolitionism in the
Halls Of Congress. They favor it to the end
of Kidding the National Councils of that worse
than useles nuisance. The spirit of the Con-
| stitution leaves the question of slavery wholly
to the people of the State or territory to be
affected by it. As formal action on the par
of Congress to carry out that spirit, is really
all that the bill proposes In this come .tion
many gentlemen, anxious to have it hereafter
kept q local question, to be governed entirely
by local authorities, are most anxious to turf
it neck and heels out Of Congress, as it were
by legislating in connection with this bill, 81
as that hereafter it will be understood tha
Congress is not in any event to legislate on thu
subject. We find literally none in public lif'
who do not hold to the doctrine that the Gen
eral Government may rightfully legisiat'
against slavery, who maintain that the origi
ginal adoption of the Missouri Compromis
was aught but gross infraction of the spiri
of the Constitution, in order to strike blow
at the South. All others recognize the Mis-
souri, Compromise as the entering wedge max
ing way for the Introduction of the question
of slavery into Congressional debates, with al
its attendant mischief to the public interest
We repeat, the very evident desire to driv
The slavery question off, as an issue dividing
the Democratic party, is destined evidently, t
render the Democratic opposition to the bill
merely nominal in point of numbers and inHu
ence
The Payment Of the Salaries Of Govern
ment Employees.-It is held by the Govern
ment's accounting officers in Washington, tina
when the compensation of an officer is fixed b.
law, no head of Department, or accounting
OF executive officer can increase the compen
sation-such power belongs to Congress alone
This principle was recognized and affirmed b.
Chief Justice fancy in AGING Purser Colds
borough's case before the United States Circui
Court, April 1910; and on the other hand, tn
4th section of the act of March 8, 1853, (pam
phlet laws, page 1897 makes it smbezzlement
punishable by fine and imprisonment for an
officer, charged with disbursements, under an
act, to pay any employee Of the United State
Ia less sum than that prOrtded By lar, and re
quire such employee to receipt for larger sur
than was actually paid
A Reminisesnce Of Past Compromises
Among the m sny distinguished politicians VIII
have visited Washington since the opening Q
the present session, we perceive General Jane
W. Nye, of Syracuse, New York, who in tn
canvass of 1S4S, was perhaps, the most efec
tive Van Burenite orator son the stump" Per
sonally, he is jovial glorious fellow, ant
likes joke amazingly, even where it cuts him
self. Thus he used to tell, that on one occa
sion during the sitting Of the never-to- be- for
gotten Buffalo Convention, after making f0u
or five speeches 10 the course Of the day ant
evening, hallooing himself hoarse until pas
midnight when in the middle of his mornin,
nap he was awakened by q Mr.. Tillinghast q
clever old gentleman that took the members o
the Convention, its lions especially, under hi
care with a request that he would Instant,
dress and address an early morning gathering
of some thousands of excited folks, who wer,
surrounding the hotel steps. The Genera
begged leave to decline. But T., would no
take no for an answer-remarking that one hal
Of the people had been calling for white MAJ
| Prince john and the other half for a Niger
| Erred. Douglass.) But that it had been finally
| agreed to compromise on him General Nye !!
The Lieutenant General Bill.-The eloquent
ard enthusiastic speech delivered on Thursday
last, by Mr. Ethcridge of Tennessee, q talented
new and young member, in favor of this meas
ure, has not resuscitated its prospects as sup
posed by many in Washington. The truth is
the tendency Of the measure is very generally
copdemnod hv those In public life who have moi