Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-02-10
The Nebraska Bill-Letter from Ex-Sen-

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The Nebraska Bill-Letter from Ex-Sen-
ator Clemens.
EThe Southern Politicians ae wiser than their
aortberu allies. According to present appearances,
whatever may be its fate in the Senate, it appears
likely that il viii not pass the House. Every da.'a
delay adds TO the chances of It's defeat in that body
The people moving, and will be heard upon the
subject, and however strong the disposition may Be
in some members Of thar body from the north, to
sustain The Infamous measure, in order TO keep in
with the administration, many will be oyerawed by
The protests Of their constituents, and viii hesitate
before committing themselves to its support. The
South, too, is becoming alarmed; the more saga
cious Of their politicians very clearly that re
peal Of the Missouri Compromise win be the signal
for general uprising in the north, among men ofaI
parties, in favor Of repeal Of all compromises, and
when that crisis comes, they know tina. the nsttu
lion OF slavery is doomed. 1t now appears highly
probable that the bill will meet with decided oppos-
ton from Of the strongest and most influential
members from the slave states, Several have already
declared their determination to oppose its passage,
but decidedly the most significant Indication in that
quarter, is contained in the following letter from
Elk Senator Clemens, of Alabama, TO John Van
Buren.
Mr.. Clemens wac one Of the mcst jealous in Sc
curing the passage Of the compromises of 1852, and
although southern man in all his opinions, he has
yet the candor and manIiness spurn the cringing
obsequiousness of Senator Douglas, and the sefvile
northerners who follow his lead, aud to refuse to
take what is offered by northern doug hfaces, who
willing TO cheat their constituents, for the
sake OF securing the favor Of the south. II Mr.
Clemens really does speak the sentiments of any
considerable portion Of the south, in what follows,
then it is very evident that Douglas is politically
doomed, and that all his hopes and aspirations Of
reaching the Presidential CHAIR, through the
he had marked outare forever blasted. Here is the
letter.
H1ek "WAsHIEGToN, Feb. 4, 1854.
ssTo Hrs.. John Van Buren:
'My Dear Sir Your letter of yesterday has just
been received, and agree with you in most OF its
suggestions. The less that is SAID upon the subject
OF slavery the better will it be for all parties, and
such, am sure, is the general sentiment Of the
South. We want nothing but to be let alone. We
do not expect desire that the people of the North
should fall in love with slavery. We believe the
institution TO be good one--you think differently.
Let ZACH enjoy his own opinion, aud refrain from
any interference with the rights prejuJices of
the other. The sentiments which you have heard
express on the stump are not mine only but those
of the southern people, almost without exceptions
Agitation in any form is what we object to; and the
politician who teammates subject which we fond
~ hoped was buried forever, miscacuates sadly il
he expects to be received with favor by us.
Sc All that considered necessary in the Nebraska
bill was, that il should be an exact copy of the New
Mexico bill, except, OF course, the name and de-
scription Of boundaries. You are aware that am
fully committed against the doctrines of General
CASTS Nicholson letter, yet we both voted cheerful
" for the New Mexico bill. Il seemed to me To be
common ground upon which all reasonable
mig hit stand. 1t left the subject Of slavery where
the constitution left t,and dad not invade the province
of the courts to decide ia advance what that cons-
tuition meant
:" an too much engaged with professional duties
TO pay much attention 10 politics, but think have
enough TO be certain that the Nebraska bill, I
as reported by Mr. Douglas, will pass, and think
can forsee the consequences. That they will be
anything hut agreeable too clear to admit oil
doubt foodgate will be opened, and a torrent
turned loose upon the country which will sweep
away in its devastating course every vestige of the
compromise Of 1850. do moi speak Of its mmes
diate ehects-I look beyond. For the present it may
be looked upon at the South as boon and by por-
,ion of The North as triumph over fanatici NJ
ne word peace VIII be upon the lps oil It's advocates
everywhere Like the angel ofihe Lord who stood
among lheimyfte trees, and said, Eve have passed
to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the
earth stitch still and is at rest'--eyens so we shall
have it proclaimed that the country is at rest-that
all is speace-but greatly fear that they will soon
find that they have raised a spirit which will wing
its way through storm and tempest to the funeral
Pyre Of the republic.
ssTo abide in good faith by the compromise Of
1850, and the platform OF Baltimore, is both the
post Of safety and the post Of honor. repeSt, We
of the South ask nothing than 10 be left alone
We have not moved in this matter, but it is We who
must suffer, unless northern men, who see and APP
preeate our position, will do US justice before your
own people. You can do this, perhaps, more effect
nally han any at the North, aud if it did not
imply ,nkind suspicion, would ask you TO do it.
As tits, do not doubt you, and consider the re-
quest unnecessary.
q clipping to have the pleasure Of meeting you very
soon, remain very truly yours, &C.,
fAis "JER. CLEMENS"