Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-03-30


and even relinquished part Of their official
pay for electioneering purposes. They have
piped, but the People would not dance. The
plain common sense Of disinterested men Of
all parties has rejected their arguments in
favor of the Nebraska perfdy. Never within
the memory Of man have the people Of the
free States been 50 united upon any political
question as they are at this moment in opposi-
ton to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise
and the introduction of Slavery into the great
territory Of the West.
Unhappily, however, in this struggle between
the People on one hand, and the Government
on the other, the power of the former is dele
gated to men within the reach Of the tempta-
tions which the latter holds out as the reward
Of betrayal Of trust The heavy money bags
of the Treasury have been cast into the scale,
and there is good reason to fear that they will
turn it against Freedom and the popular will.
We are told that the President has already &C.
cured the requisite number Of Congressional
traitors and that, in spite Of oil opposition, the
Bill will become . law.
What will then followa Will the betrayed
People rise in their indignation and repeal the
law? Or will they be soothed into acquies-
cence by the assurance of Northern statesmen
that ono great interest is at stskcs0 Will
they not be told that it is only the concession
of q principle to the Slave Power--a mere alb
straction? Slavery will not be likely to 60 into
Nebraska under any circumstances. Why
should tho free States trouble themselves about
word more or less in the Bill organizing Ter
ritories which are pretty sure Of coming into
the Union free? Let the South make tho most
of it's barren victory. Why should the North
keep up useless agitation Of the subject?
But suppose the Bill, after oil, is defeated in
the House? There, Of course, is tho end Of the
matter; and the North, having carried its point
and saved the Compromise, has nothing further
to do. Agitation is superAuous; tho blessed
quiet following the Compromises Of 1850 is re-
stored
So we fear too many who assume to be lead
ors Of public opinion in the North are reason
ing. Admit what wc do not for moment
believe, however) that Slavery will not, in any
event, obtain permanent foothold in Nebras-
Ia and Kansas. DO we not know that Young
America is grasping after new territory now
without tho limits of the United States? A
gigantic scheme of conquest and annexation is
in progress involving Cuba with its hundreds
of thousands of slaves, Hayti with its million
of free blacks to be re.enslavcd, Mexico, and
Central America The repeal Of the Missouri
Compromise would leave Slavery free course in
all these vast territories. The free States have
a majority in Congress. Establish the princi-
pie that Congress cannot interfere with the
Territories in the matter Of Slavery, and that
majority becomes the silent and powerlcss
spectator Of the triumphant progress of the cx-
ecrable institution from the Atlantic to the
Pacific, and from its present boundary on the
Rio del Norte to the Isthmus of Darien.
The defeat Of this Bill lie, then, Of the utmost
importance. 1t will lessen the danger, and, by
giving the free States on opportunity to com-
binc their political strength, perhaps avert it
altogether. But one thing is certain. Defeat
ed or victorious in the present struggle, Slavery
will not rest quiet. II knows no finalityn
The inexorable necessities Of its existence do
mand perpetual agitation and aggression. 1t
will renew the conflict, in utter disregard of its
pledges and compromises. 1t must feed upon
the life blood Of new territory, or die.
Shall we learn nothing from the past At
the very time when Northern statesmen and
Northern divines were congratulating one an
other upon the final settlement Of the Slavery
agitation--a settlement obtained only by most
disgraceful and wicked concessions to Slavery
the great Disturber was maturing the plot for
extending its power over those vast Territories
of the West which its own pledges and votes
had confirmed to Freedom forever. What has
been, will be. New plots will be organized,
new aggressions concerted. How many more
times must the North be brayed in tho mortar,
before il will learn the first lesson Of selfpres-
ervation?
aThe Fugitive Slave Law" says Ralph Wal
do Emerson, partially unglued the eyes Of
the North, and now tho Nebraska bill leaves
us Starring. ne DHnucSt 1uukCIibfu rcos NJ
last, what il has no long denied, that Slavery
is itself the agitator and aggressor = an ever
active disturbing force, urging its schemes
Of propagandism, without regard to "peace
measures" compromises" or party connec-
tions, with step as steady as time, and an ap-
petite as Unsuitable as death. Now, then, is
the time for the free States to initiate new
course Of policy. The union, persistent energy,
and audacity Of the South, in extending and
strengthening the accurscd institution, must
now be met by corresponding union, energy,
and boldness, on the part Of tho North, in de-
nationalizing, limiting, and restraining It.
The present is tho time for action Let the
movement begin at Washington at this very
session. Let those who arc willing to stand
on the question Of Slavery whore the fathers
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