Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-03-18
PUBLIC OPINION ON THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE

The following article, which we find in the New
York Courier Of Wednesday, will probably interest
all our readers in the present position Of the Ne
braska question. We have corrected the statement
in several cases where it was slightly erroneous:
1t is now about two months since the provision
doing away with the Missouri Compromise was spe-
officially incorporated into the Nebraska BILL Pub
lie opinion, which is the great tribunal before which
the ultimate fate of every important political inca
sure must be determined, has had time to judge its
character. What is the judgment? What is it
North What is it South? To answer this we
do not care to point to the fact that in the North
some two or three hundred large popular gather
ings have been held to denounce the bill, and thus
far not half dozen if indeed single one to ap-
prove and sustain it; and that in the South not
half dozen meetings, if indeed sing gle one, has
been held upon the subject at all. 1t may be said
that these assemblies are but the expression of
opinion in particular localities, and demonstra
tons made only by certain parties, or classes, or
interests. There can be no greater mistake than
this But it is not necessary to take these manlfes-
tatons into account in order to calculate the real
state Of the popular sentiment. There is no better
index direct popular election excepted-of the
existing condition Of the public mind Of State
than the State Legislature. Its members come
from the very midst of the people, and are expo
nents of all opinions and shades of opinion. Their
constituencies are SO small, and the communication
Herewith SO direct, that even upon new questions
which arise after their election their actions in ge
neral respond very closely to the views Of those
they represent. Now, what opinions have the State
Legislatures thus far expressed upon this bill In
the free States ten State Legislatures in session,
or have been since the lst Of January in the slave
States mine.
H. % ~
Missouri Compromise passed the Senate by vote of "a
to / in the House by vote Of 90 to T.
In MASSACHUSETTS, the Senate adopted resolutions
against the Nebraska bill by unanimous vote and the
House of Representatives by vote OF 246 to H.
In RHODE ISLAND, the Legislature passed resolutions
against the measure unanimously
In New York the resolutions nstructng its delegation
in Congress oppose any action which shall look in
any degree to a repeal or to negaton of the binding
force of the provisions known the Missouri Compro
mise passed the Senate by vote Of % to 8, and the
House by vote Of 80 to 81
In PENNSYLVANIA, the Democratic Legislature, after
considering the subject refused to take vote on it, and
so also did the Democratic State Convention The Wing
State Convention have unanimously condemned the bill
In New jersey the Democratic ajortes have refused
to come to any vete upon the subject.
In OHIO, the Democratic majorties which constitute
almost the entire Legislature, have persisted in keeping
the subject the table, fearing, like those in Pennsyva
nia and New Jersey to defy public opinion and yet
willing to break with the National Administration The
Legislature has elected United States Senator
who is opposed to the bill in its present shape and the
only candidate who openly proclaimed himself in favor OF
the bill received but twelve votes in the Democratic
caucus.
In ILLINOIS resolution approving Of the bill passed the
Senate by vote Of IA to and the House Of Represen-
tatyes by vote of 80 to 81 but the affirmative in
both branches made up less than half Of the Legislature
since the former body consists Of twenty-five members
and the House Of seventy-fve.
In w1soossS resolutions opposing the bill passed both
branches Of the Legislature by decided majorites.
In CALIFORNIA the Legislature Of which is strongly
Democratic action has been taken upon the subject
in session have the most part refaned from meddng
with the matter. 49,,
In MARYLAND, the Legislature adjourned on the 10th
Of this month without any expression OF opinion on the
subject ,.s a.. a.,
instant without any vote in reference to the bill
In MISSISSIPPI, the Legislature adjourned on the ID