Washington sentinel., 1854-04-23
THE WESTERN DEMOCRATIC RE-
VIEW AND THE NEBRASKA BILL.


The Western Democratic Recie1 published
at Indianapolis has just been placed on our Ia
bic. Among other interesting articles is one
on the subject Of the Nebraska BILL in which
such sound constitutional democratic views are
expressed that we are induced to make few
extracts from it. Speaking of the Missouri
compromise, the reviewer Says
That it was wrong in principle, we have
never doubted. Sandy foundations are not TO
be trusted, land this celebrated compromise is
not likely to prove an exception to tho rule, for
the winds and the floods are already beating
upon it, All geographical lines and divisions
are Objectionable, and will ever prove danger
GUS TO the interest and stability OF the Union
TO its interest, by preventing the free and un-
restricted competition of all our citizens, in
every lawful pursuit. and in every section ofthe
republic; to lis stability, by creating and fos-
tering dissimiar, adverse and hostile interests,
aud by exciting jealousy discord, and collision
between the several States and their citizens,
while we should sedulously cultivate the most
candid feelings Of forhearance, kindness, and
fraternity. They are also unjust; and, to
brave and generous people, who are conscious
OF their own equality must always prove
source of unpleasant reflection and frequent
discomfort. We are all citizens of one great
republic. We all stand upon the same plat
form. We are all equal before the Constitu-
ton. Our division or section, under the Con-
stitution, has no political right which is not
common to the rest All the States become
members of the Union on an equal footing.
All have right to equality, none to pre-emi-
nence. Sovereign at home, equal in council, is
Ipo Of Statao ,.,,.ht 1f
tuition. Let US try the Missouri compromise
by this standard. The first and only thing it
does is to establish geographical line, and
then say that certain acts may be done on one
side-it matters not which-that may not on
the other-that what is lawful on one side of
my fence is crime on the other. The Consti
| tuition makes no such distinctions as these
4 X
However unj Just the Missouri compromise
| might have been to the south, it ought to have
been entirely satisfactory to the north, as by it
| she gained all and lost nothing. This how
ever, was not the case. The south looked upon
| it as an act of finjustice and so expressed her
self; but, for the sake of peace and repose, she
was willing to abide by and carry it out in
good faith. Nay, more, she was willing that it
should be extended even to the Pacific, in or
der to settle forever this exciting question oil
| fraternal strife. But fanaticsm was not salts
fed, and the black flag was still unfurled. New
battles were to be fought, victories to be won,
and spots to be divided by, and among, aboli-
tionists, inhdels, and other acephalous kith.
Hence, agitation must follow agitation, and ag
gression must follow aggression. In the opin-
ion OF venerable sages, grown gray in the ser.
vice OF their country, we are on the brink of
political ruin but what is that to the fell spirit
Of fanaticism? 1t could put the torch to the
temple and see it consume to ashes with exul-
tatiop. The Missouri compromise having thus
| failed to afford what. was most needed, peace
and repose, other relief was sought; and the
very men who are now singing paans in its
praise, We're those who cursed it most bitterly !;
and their hypocrisy and shameless effrontery
are only equaled by their inveterate stupidity.
Do they really know that an intelligent people
will view with derision their affected regard Tor
the Missouri compromise? Might we be per-
mitted to ask when they became enamored of
this new doctrine ?-for their zeal inclnes us to
believe they are but recent converts"