The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-01
Clerical Attack On Senators.
WAsursoros, Mach a, 1854

WAsHIsGros, Match a, 1854.
My DEAR SIR Oh the 2ls OF February last fell Il TO
he my duty correct. in any humble way, few OF sew
r errors into which you had fallen whilst discussing
IN your paper OF the 10th OF that month"; the character OF
tbs Nebraska bill" Since that time have grieyed 10
zee similar articles, both editorial and communicated. in
hs Christian Advocate The last one I'm the Advocate
al March 23) Is particularly unjust to your own repata-
ZION burful, 10 It's tendencies, - the Methodist Church,
and the Christian cause ia generals and IN iis effects
INJURIOUS 10 The great cause OF good civil government
THE eminent and pious John Fletcher said in one'of
his nimilable letters 10 the Rev. Mr. Shirley, " do NOT
admile the fashionable method OF Advancing general
charges without supporting them by particular proofs
Saocuoning The sentiment OF Mr., Fletcher, as unreserv
sdy DO you will not be surprised al my taking the ber
" 10 submit extract or two from your article IN jusi-
feaon OF The fears which II inspired
Before submitting the extracts from your last article,
allow me TO ask il you have not reverend sir. wholly
mistaken the and object of the bill 10 organize the
n correctly appIehend the scope of your articles you
suppose the Object sought to be attained by ths author,
and by the friends OF that bill, is TO extend slavery into
regions OF country WheTe u does not now exist ihs Is
the idea you ncuicate
Allow me, dear sir. 10 give you my idea OF The object
which Judge Douglas, President Pierce. Speaker Boyd,
and other influential aud lar sghted supporters oil hat
hill seek to accomplish
What evil did they seek to remedy, and in abatement
Of which the bill was prepared This: A great excite
ent existed in Missouri in relation to the organization
OF Nebraska all parties favorng It's speedy organization,
bat differing 10 the manneone party desiring slave
holders and their property TO be admitted into and the
Other western communities also wished Its early organ.
lzaon, though the holding OF public meetings. and the
violent wspaper and other discussions, Were prncl'
paly, Missouri agiaiions. Upon the opening oil Con-
gsss last December, and before its organization was
complete. official notice was gven,o the House by rep,
Iesentatve from Missouri that Nebraska bill would
be introduced. Al early day such bill was miro
duced into the House, read twice, and referred TO
the Committee Territories. Dill OF similar tenor
also introduced into the Senate by worthy senator
from Iowa. read twice. and referred TO the Committee on
Territories The question: owing to violent local ex-
element in Missouri and western Iowa. was thus
brought a. early day h; II The before both 9th
slightest possible agency knowledge of either Presi
dent Pierce or Senator Douglas. But the question
being up. and men like Vice President A,chson
minds to have decision upon II. postponement be-
came impossible. Judge Douglas. being chairman OF
the Committee Territories, thus compelled to
the question: and TO act upon IT, EVASION was not posi-
bic
Judge Douglas, you thus see, reverend sir, was not
this movement Officially devolved upon him for decision
and action, without any agency OF his own be manuy
took up and considered the bill which had been referred
10 him. instead OF resgning his position upon the commit
tee to escape the responsibility.
The position occupied by Judge Douglas was exceed
ngly perpexng It. in the draugh OF bill he favored the
norhera whgs and the northern fanatics; il be opposed
the rights Of the South he would Offend. not only Judge
Achison and the people Of the whole South, but ma
territorial committee and of the administration. did be do
What remedy did he devse9
Instead OF patching up temporary and temporizing
truce BILL he boldly cast expedienis aside and inquired,
What the rights OF the North OF the South, and OF the
people OF Nebraska And, IN answer, produced bill
which honestly protects in all their amplitude, all OF the
constitutional rights OF the saveholdng and OF the nom
kayehoding States and of the people OF the Territories
themselves He sided with no one interest," but gave ie-
gal protection TO az interests
II, by his bill, he really accomplished what is Claimed;
alihe constitutional rights created. defined, and written
down BY fathers have really been secured to every
body interested both the North and the South has not
Judge Douglas acted the part OF statesman oil the high
est oIdera If he has done this may he not patiently
"bide his tme and proudly TO concede Zone Jot
title" to the anacal abolition mobs that disgrace
cItiesl
lie, us examine the provisions of this BILL reverend sir
and see if you cannot agree with me IN the opinion that
it's worthy of all praise from all republicans IN tins broad
land
The bill provides for the organization OF the Terrific
mes Of Kansas and Nebraska in the usual form. II also
provides that the people thereof shall be 10 quote the
language OF the billy "peecy free 10 form and regulate
Their domestic institutions in their way, subject only
10 the constitution OF the United States"
Instead Of egisaing slaves or any other property fao
oui Of the Territory, Judge Douglas proposes, as the
piai principle Of his bill, that Congress shall leave the
whole 10 The people whom It belongs. Is that
principle right in itself and sta,esmanlke II the peo-
pie Of that Territory pass a law establishing prohibit
ing slavery in Nebraska, and the Supreme Court OF the
United States says the law is IN accord with the con-
s,uon, who living elsew here oaghi TO complain OF an
act passed in strict legal with The constitution
The law shoHd by the court be declared n,ai and rod,
that would end the matter
The principle OF the bill is qaite Methodlstc; i does
not practically Theoretically, extend slavery, and
does not limit savery-it refuses 10 propagate, and il
n1ses 10 exiermnaie slavery. Metbodists believe God
vii not compel 10 heaven or sink 10 bell but
he says Choose YER Borrowing the idea from our Meth
os creed the bin does not compel the people OF Nebraska
have slave population, nor yet does II say they shall
not have such population but, recognising the doc
time OF mans free agency, says TO the people OF the Ter
Hiofies, Choose yer Can any Methodist as exalted
you are, or even one as humble am, successfully
Eese with this sacred rrtncipel Is Il not honest, asd
not polite for Congress to refuse 10 side either with
he abolitonsis with the Shareholders but honoraby
refer the question to those who 10 be benefited 10
Be injured by The decision Can you not win your
sent 10 III up yoar voice the highest key thereof, and
shou,-LKAvg 1T TO THE PEOPLE
Bot you NAV say sir that you fear the Su.
Peme Court might decide that the people OF Territory
have the legal tight "to form and regulate their domestic
Institutions in their way !; and that you afraid
the decision OF the slavery question TO the people
Of The Territories.
That the people have that right, and ha, the court
will so decide have no doubt II they have that
p ieason, 10 withhold II from them But why fear TO
rust the people May not be so<sed and trusted
select their religion and their ioms OF government
| u not, free governments and reedom OF conscience
will disappear from the earth Despo,isms and es-
abshed religions would soon take their place. Were
bot the people of New York, Of the several New Eng
and States, OF New Jersey, and OF Pennsylvania each
and all ntfused with the decision OF the slavery ques
Ion within their respective limitsi Did Congress pre-
iums TO interfere with that question: with religious
9Gesons in either of those Staesl Why, then. inter-
lde with The people OF the Wesi Is il supposed they
eve ess know ledge less spirit lees Independence than
AsG eastern fellow ciiizensi