Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-16

for the government Of the Northwest Terrific
ry, was ainconsistent with y the act of 1872
for the formation of a Territorial Government
in Missouri. Then, right was asserted in
one case, which was not asserted or exercised
in the other; and in 1920, right was asserted
which was waived in $780, But because Con-
gress in one act may assert right, which,
for reasons satisfactory to itself, it valves
in another act il does not follow that the acts
are inconsistent with each other
Not Southern Wing voted against the
amendment, and General Houston was the only
Southern Democrat Northern Wings will
please take notice that Senators Clayton and
Bell, from whom they have been expecting bet
ter things, voted for it Let them go.
The hollowness of the plea in behalf Of the
principle Of self-government, set up by the ad-
vocates Of the Bill, which we took special pains
to expose about week since, is we are glad
to sec about to be brought to the test In the
Senate, yesterday, they were unexpectedly dis
turbed by the following amendment submitted
by Mr.. Chase to the same section
Under which the people Of the Territories,
through their appropriate representatives, may,
if they see fit prohibit Slavery therein"
Whereupon protracted discussion arose,
which was terminated by an adjournment.
We shall see how many Of these advocates Of
: selfgovcrnment" will vote that the People Of
q Territory have right to exclude Slavery.
The Bill ITSELF in proposing form of Govern
ment for the Territory, providing for the distri-
button Of it's various powers, and the appoint
ment of Executive officers by the President,
gives the lie to their professions To be con-
sistent they should abandon it, and introduce
a simple resolution, recognising the right Of the
People in the Territory to organize their own
Government, determine its powers, and elect
all their own officers
The prospect now is, that the discussion on
the Bill will be protracted in the Senate, far
beyond the intention Of it's authors. It's oppo-
nents are prepared for vigorous resistance,
and its friends will be compelled to define po-
sitions and guard against athe fire in the rear
In the House, the debate has been opened,
although the particular subject under consid-
ration was the Homestead Bill Mr.. Mace,
Democratic member from Indiana, led off in a
STRONG speech against the repeal of the Mis-
souri, Compromise, and was followed by Mr..
SHELTON, Democratic member from New Jer-
sey, on the same side. Both are what are called
Old Line Democrats.
Mr.. Meacham, Wing member from Yer
mont speaking against the same measure, Mr..
Richardson, of Illinois, supporter of the
Douglas bill, undertook to gag him. The
Chair stated that the usage had been to allow
members in Committee Of the Whole on the
state Of the Union to speak upon topics not i'm.
mediately connected with that under consider
alton; but the rules of the House were against
the usage and he must decide in accordance
with the rules. The promptitude with which
the Committee overruled the decision, thereby
allowing Mr.. Meacham to proceed, shows
that discussion on the Nebraska Question can
not be prevented The spirited speech of Mr.
Fenton, Ia "Softn from New York. in the
House yesterday, is another favorable indica-
ton. He denied the rightof Ex- Governor Smith,
Of Virginia, to prescribe test for the Democra
w, onu boiu HIN, THAI IL tno NeDraSka DILL
was to be that test, he would find @Softsn
springing up all over the North
But let no one be deceived. Were the vote
to be taken to-day, we should dread the result.
The free States have l44 members of the pres
emit House, the slave States, s5-majority Of
the former, SO. The Representatives Of the
slave States will probably be united in support
of Repeal, and all they have to do is to secure
thirty votes from the North and West. These
and more are calculated upon by the advocates
Of Repeal An Administration, welding the
power Of Slavery, and backed by such men as
Cass and Douglas, that could not command
thirty Northern and Western votes for meas
ure, designed now to be its leading measure,
would be set down as very imbeciIe or unrel-
able.
Let the People therefore be admonished that
there is danger, imminent danger, such only
as they by prompt and stern demonstrations
all over the North and West can dissipate.
AMENDMENT TO THE POST OFFICE LAWS