Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-01-13
From the Washington Union.
n.n

Nav York Tribune IS down upon Judge Douglas Ne
braska bill with its usual fanatical bitterness Any
nropostion which had for its object the permanent
projection of the country against the slavery aga-
lion would excite the hostility and provoke the as
saults of that organ of abolitionsm The fact that
If has come forward promptly TO denounce the mea
sure of peace and compromise so ably presented Dy
Judge Douglas is conclusive that his proposnon Is
REGARDED by abolitioniss deathbow to their hope
of making the slavery question available for tnture
nolitical excitement The OF the Irbune more
than ever confirms US in the importance Wncn we
attach to the Nebraska report and bill In our uog
ment the adoption of the principles OF ihat oli oy
united democratic vote would be hailed by the patr
otto lovers of the Union throughout the country as
the browning act of party. Il would disPei 'he
idle charge that our union at Baltimore was mere
temporary expedient to secure the SPOTS OF once
tt would vindicate and illustrate the purity and e1-
cellence of the motives and principles OF the con-
yention which harmonized and united upon the prln
cipes of the Baltimore platform. 1t would prove TO
every member of the democratic party that the union
effected by that platform was intended TO be petnaa
nent II would remove from ranks all pretext 1or
internal strife and dssenson in regard to the slavery
question: and withdraw from our wing antagonists
the only capital on which they now seek to give ell
cheney to their opposition.
against that clause in the Compromise, proposed to be
inserted in the Nebraska bill, which says:
"When admitted as State, the SAID territory, or
onv norton of the same shall be received into the
Union with without slavery, as their constitution
NAV prescribe at the time of their admission"
The great principle of submitting the question to
the decision of the people, when they are prepared
for admission into the Union as State, is mere as
tinctv recognised To this principle the Tribune Cd
iects, and denounces it as base SUBMISSION TO the
slave power That journal would deny to the PEG,
ple the right of self governmen-for that is the real
nurport Of the new higher law set up by the Tribune
Against the exercise by the people of State OF this
Fundamental right abolition relies upon the ordinance
of 1887. The bill of Judge Douglas distinctly re-
cognises that right and that ground the issue is
made up. But we have no disposition to enter INTO
an argument on the question. What we desire is that
the real issue shall be distinctly understood and prop
erly appreciated. We would not avoid that ISSUE or
seek 10 temporiZe with it. The democracy now have
it in their power to drive the last nail into the coffin
of abotonism, and trust that the opportunity
will be neither Stunned nor unnecessarily postponed
We wish 10 see the seal of reality impressed upon the
covenant of union entered into at Baltimore Ii the
democratic party by that covenant has not forever
prescribed and repudiated abolitionism, care not
| how soon we are undeceived. We have proclaimed
the election of Franklin Pierce the death-knel OF
! the slavery agitation. We repose with mistaken
confidence upon that conviction and we confirmed
in it when we the organ of the fanatcal agators
assailing with mad ferocity a proposition which looks
to the permanency of that repose the slavery ques
ton which reigns in the public mind. But we
believe we effect by showing TO our demo-
cratic readers the position of the Tribune, than by
any argument of our own. We therefore republish
what that Journal says:
SLAVERY IN THE FIELD-An overt attempt is set
on foot in Mr. Douglass Nebraska bill override the
Missouri Compromise. The eighth section Of the act
admitting Missouri State is follows:
sin all that territory coded by France to the United
States under the of Louisiana, which lies north
of So degrees and 80 minutes north latitude, not nclu
ded within the limits of the State contemplated by this
act, slavery and involuntary serviude otherwise than
in the punishment OF crime whereof the parties shall
have been duly convicted, shall be, and is hereby,
forever prohibited: P7oUided, alaray. That any per-
son escaping into the same, from whom labor or SER
vice is lawfully claimed in any State Territory OF
the United States, such fugitive may be lawfully re-
claimed and conveyed TO the person claiming his or
her labor service aforesaid.
'This plain and unequivocal declaration, that nei-
ther slavery nor involuntary servitude shall
ist in Northwest Territories, is unceremoniousy
hustled aside by Mr.. Douglas, who makes the com
promise of 1850 the scapegoat for his sin
doing it. He says that
GA proper of patriotic duty en- Joins upon
your committee the propriey and necessity of strict
adherence to the principles, and even literal adop.
ton of the enactments of that dustment in all the
territorial bills SO far the not locally in
E applicable.
''And hence he proceeds to incorporate the follow
ing provision respecting Nebraska into his bill at the
y START
'When admitted a state, the said Territory, Of
any portion of the same, shall be received into the
n Union, with without slavery, their constitution
may prescribe at the time of their admission.
: 1t is not to be expected of men who live for The
sole purpose of enjoying official station that they shall
= ever be manly, noble, or independent. They sIavsh
cover before every storm that threatens their opin
ions with popular condemnation, and make haste Il
trim their sails to catch the passing breeze of public
favor. 1t everywhere assumed among such tha
sub lection to the slavehoding interest is the on
u y sure path political honors and distinction Il
the struggle of $780, the great northern slavery
Il sentiment was inundated and overwhelmed in conse
quence of the succumbing temper and aithIessness
rotten leaders. With their own hands they destroy
: ed the dykes and let the waters flow in and wasI
u away the rich fruits of years. The Thirty first Con
gress naugurated the era of submission to slavery
J. Since then everything has gone swimmngly in thi
- line Not only was the slavery question compro
missed, but the character reputation. and principles
= hundreds of our public also compromise
II by the same operation. There was general de
- bauch and decentralization throughout all politica
circles. as clearly manifested in the triumphan
run of Gen. Pierce. The decentralization continues
, 1t is not 10 be expected, therefore, that we shall see
for the present. in the acts of public men who plac
=, success before principle, anything but unmany sub
mission to the demands of the slave power IF Gen
eral Taylor had lived and if the Wilmot Proviso doc
trlne had substantially triumphed, as it would hav
done through the lnstrumenality of his policy reIs
- tive to our Mexican acquisitions, then we should hay
- seen The reverse OF what now see. Instead {
hndlng Mr.. Douglas down his marrow-b bones 2
=. the feet OF slavery, should see the same ma
standing up firm and strong in behalf of the gloriou
old ordinance of 1887 freedoms battle was fougl
- and lost IN 1850, and the towards and traitors hay
oil run to the winning side
A. 8" But although ant-slavery is weak in polite;
circles it was stronger with the masses of III
of &c