Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-04-07
THE NEBRASKA QUESTION:.

FRIEND GooDwIN:-Contrary to my
expectations, l find that many of the
Kentuckians, in the northern and mid
die parts Of the State, | think a great
majority of them, are opposed to the
Nebraska Bill. They oppose it par
ticularly on the ground OF its repeating
the Missouri Compromise. l Judge
the opposition to be general, because
| have been told that such is the case,
and because l have heard several
speak bitterly against it, whilst have
not heard a single one defend it. Some
of the newspapers defend it, and some
of them oppose it, without much re-
gard 10 party, SO far as | have learned.
The Louisville Democrat takes the
lead in favor of it, and the Louisville
Journal against It.
Those who oppose it offer many of
the same reasons that are given in the
free states. They advocate what we
might call the non-intervention policy,
the right of the citizens of Territory
on forming State to admit or prohibit
slavery, but they say that this measure
was wholly uncalled-for, unnecessary
and gratuitous; that no such provision
was needed; that the slavery excitement
having been calmed down, and every
thing being quiet, it was throwing a
bone of contention in the political arena
without the shadow of valid reason,
that would produce strife, pickering,
and discord, the quieting of which the
wisest could not foresee; and all for
what? To advance the political pros
poets of a presidential aspirant. Such
is their language, and such the views
they present.
Ii appears that Mr. Douglas has got
himself between two fires. The North
charges him with being Southern in
feelings, and making this move as a
bid to the South for the Presidency,
thinking that, if he could secure the
Southern vote, the North would yield
everything to the South, as they have
always done heretofore. Here they
charge, that the North knew that his
true sentiments were with them, that
he knew that they would trust him,
and that he threw out this bait to the
South to "galE" them, knowing that if
he got the Southern vote, he would be
sure of the Northern, and would then
be safe. Whether such a thought
ever crossed his mind or not, he will
probably have to bear the odium of it,
I'LL some Benton comes forward to dis
prove it, as Clay had to bear through
life the charge of bargaining with John
Quincy Adams, now disproyed by Col.
Benton. Ifhe is innocent of the charge,
it is unfortunate for himself, as well as
the country, that be brought forward
the measure.
But the great ground of objection
in this State, is, the professed repeal
of the Missouri Compromise. This
objection, so far as the South is con-
cerned, is, | suppose, chiefly confined
to this State It arises from kind of
State pride. They are very proud of
the fame of Henry Clay. Especially
at this time, so recently after his de-
cease, do they doatupon all his sayings
and doings, and almost regard them as
oracles oil wisdom. a person who had
not been somewhat among them could
not Judge of the extent OF this feeling.
As an illustration OF this devotedness,
Kentuckian, who had been travelling
extensively, among those who had
removed from this State to Texas, said
that he could not find Kentucklah
there, who had not lived within 81
miles Of Mr.. Clay, and been personal
ly acquainted with him. THIS feeling
is, doubtless, the cause of much of the
opposition on this ground. They can
not willingly consent, that this great
est measure of his life, for which hc
had obtained most praise, that whlcl
for thirty years had been regarded
as the brightest gem in his coronet o
glory-they cannot consent, that thi
should be thrown aside as worthless
and even declared never to have beer
worth anything. They therefore op
pose the whole measure.
Dixon, their Senator, the one VIII
moved to repeal the compromise in ex