Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-03-23

We announced yesterday, in our report Of
the proceedings Of the House of Represeta.
tives, that the Nebraska bill, which had passed
the Senate, had been referred to the Commit
tee of the Whole.
1t would not be candid in us if we did not
express our regret that the Senate's bill was
thus referred yet that reference, although it
may delay, cannot prevent the final passage Of
the bill.
We never have desired, and do not now, and
underno conceivable circumstances could desire
tosee the Nebraska bill forced through Congress
in haste, and without affording opportunity for
due and proper discussion. But, if we under
stand anything of the complex, tangled, and
complicated rules of the House Of Representa-
tives, the principles which regulate action in
Committee of the Whole would permit mem
Der, whilst q proposition to build ship or re-
pair n lighthouse was under consideration, to
discuss the last or the next Presidential cleo.
ton, or the Russo Turkish war, or the seizure
Of the Black Warrior, or the Japan expedition,
or anything in the heavens above or the earth
~
Having this impression of the rules of the
House of Representatives, our fear was that a
fewmisguided and evil-disposed men, under the
control of bad impulses and mischievous mo-
tives, might delay the passage Of measure
which is demanded by the best interests of the
country. We are, however, assured that the
reference Of the Nebraska bill Of the Senate to
the Committee Of the Whole does not in any
manner leopard its final fate. Many Of those
who voted to place the bill in committee intend
to vote for it but they wished to obtain an
opportunity to place their views fully before
their constituents The reference we have
spoken Of was the only thing which they thought
would afford them that opportunity, and they
voted for it under the knowledge that ma
jority could at any suitable time, take it from
the committee and put it on its passage.
Originally the bill reported by Mr.. Richard
son, Of Illinois, from the House Committee on
Territories, was a,counterpart of Judge Doug
lass bill reported from the Senate Committee
on Territories. AS our readers are aware,
several amendments were adopted by the SEN
ate, which made verbal discrepancies between
the two bills. Mr.. Richardson's bill is already
on the calendar, and it is hardly possible that
it will not be reached at an early day, even if
evil-disposed persons in the House of Repre-
sentatives should from factious motives delay
any action on the Senate's bill.
Viewing the whole ground, looking to the
tone of public sentiment, and having special re-
gard to the plain principles of the Constitution
and manifest interest Of the country, we cannot
entertain n reasonable fear of the triumph Of
the Nebraska bill. 1t may be delayed, but we
do not believe that it can be defeated. Right,
and Justice and sound principles demand its
passage; and when demand comes from
such sources, it will vindicate itself. Ignorant
professors and insolent divines, whose brains
have never been matured by practical know.
ledge, may degrade themselves and insult the
Senate, and outrage the public intelligence,
and disgust the good taste Of the people by un-
worthy exhibitions; but they will not be able
to effect anything more than to soil themselves
What does professor, whose life has been
spent amid mathematical investigations and
roots Of languages, know about practical legisla
ton? What does q preacher who has spen
his life among good old women and Indifferent
bible classes, know about the practical bust
ness Of practical men? Nothing--worse than
nothing! We respect the professor when hon
estly teaching what he is capable to teach W,
revere the divine when he confines himsel
faithfully, and with a puro spirit to the perform
ances of the duties of his holy Office; but W,
7 have nothing but loathing and contempt 70
either when they come forward, not as citizens
nor members Of the community, but as class
to meddle impertinently and ignorantly in pub
lie affairs. Atriple wrong is done, because th,
genius of our institutions is disregarded, thu
public sentiment is outraged, aid high an'
holy Offices dragged down to the dust.