Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-02-22
THE GRAND RIVER TIMES.
GRAND HAVEN, MIcHuGAN.
WEDNESDAY EVENING. FEB. %. 1854.
NefbrusKo

During the last few weeks the territorial ques-
ton has formed the principal subject of deliber-
alton at Washington, and has created an inter-
est that has extended TO all portions of the
Union. So much of il as relates to an abrogation
of the Missouri Compromise came upon the
country unexpectedly, and was, at the first an
nouncement, met with something like a formi-
dable show of opposition, which was not at all
quieted by that class of aspirants whose poti-
cal eminence grows entirely out of the slavery
agitation, and who, on this occasion, put forth
their earliest endeavors to forestall public opin-
ion, and kndl an excitement that might re-
dound to their personal advantage
But it has become apparent that through
out the nation there is an aversion to renewed
agitation, and that the efforts Of these national
incendiaries is not at all likely TO meet with the
desired consummation. We shall, doubtless,
soon hear that nal disposition has been made
of the bill, and such a disposition as will sure
ly deal the death blow to political aboitionism,
by burying, beyond all hope. of resurrection, the
most mischievous question that has ever yet
entered the halls of our national Legislature. Our
latest advices assured us that the bill would
soon be brought to a vote, and that it would
pass both branches of Congress by decided ma
jorities. As its provisions are becoming thor
oughly canvassed, public opinion, too, is turn
ing more in favor of the measure, and it WILL
beyond doubt, receive general approval from
the whole American people.
The Nebraska bill is in accordance with the
strictly republican principle recognized and es-
tablished on the organization of New Mexico
and Utah,-that of Congressional non-inter-
vcntion in all territorial affairs of domestic
nature. The whole question is presented plain
| ly and unequivocay in the amendment propos-
ed by Mr.. DOUGLAS, on the the 7th inst, by
which the Missouri act of 1920 is held to be in
operative and void on the ground that it is ncon-
sstent with the principle of non-interventon by
Congress with slavery, whether in States or
territories, as recognized in the compromise
measures of 1850; and it is declared to be the
true intent of the act neither to legislate slave
| ry into any State or Territory, nor to exclude
it therefrom, but to leave the people perfectly
free to form and regulate their domestic institu-
tons in their own way, subject only to the con-
stitution of the United States.
| This is in exact accordance with all received
ideas of popular right. Congress has done
its whole duty when it has provided for the or
ganization of territory. From that time any
interference with matters of a local nature is ar.
bitrary, and any thing but American. The inal-
ienable right of sef-government is just as sa-
cred TO the republican citizens Of the new terri
tories as TO the inhabitants of any Of the sove-
reign States, and there is no reason why there
should be transgression of the principle that
lies at the foundation of our political system
when we come to the subject Of slavery in
the territories That is n subject upon which
the intelligent and cnterprising pioneers of the
distant west are just as capable Of legslating
for themselves as upon any other With il left
to them, we have no forebodings that the vast
region north Of what was once considered The
dividing line between freedom and slavery, will
ever be laid open to the introduction of negro
bondage. We do not forget that Il similar en-
preston Of uneoncern with reference to the
same matter, in the case Of New Mexico and
Utah, would once have met with denunciation,
and that storms Of imprecation once fell upon
those eminent statesmen who were contented
in the belief that those territories were conse-
Grated to freedom by I" an ordinance of God"
Yet slavery has not been, neither is it likely to
be there legalized, and, i'll the present instance,
it does not seem to us to require q 1.-THE of the
sagacity possessed by those who originated the
compromise measures of 1850, to foresee the
utter improbabity that slavery will ever secure
legal existence in Kanzas and Nebraska. The
country is in no way adapted to successful
establishment of the peculiar institution" and
it will, from the first, be under the control of a
people having too much foresight to invite
among themselves what all know would prove
a curse and not blessing.
The policy of the action had by Congress in
1850, respecting slavery in tho territories, is
now almost unanimously admitted to have been
Just and expedient. But the rule which was
then adopted, is no other than the one which is
recognized and rendered permanent in the meas.
ure now before the country. Ii is the one which
will prevail, and the only one which can, effect
ually, close the door upon that kind of agitation