The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-01-19
THE NEBRASKA AFFAIR.

We are glad to see that the report on the
subject of Nebraska in the Senate, and the
bill which accompanies it, are beginning to be
understood. Men of all parties arc astOunded
that at this late day an attempt should be Sc
riously made to abrogate the Missouri Com
promise, for the purpose of forcing Negro Sla-
very into territory 30 long and so universally
admitted to be free. Even the NetU York En-
press and Journal Of Commerce, whose loyalty
! to the Compromises Of 1850 is unquestioned,
revolt at this new movement
Another element will soon be added to the
agitation Hitherto the naturalized Germans
of this country have generally supported the
Administration of General Pierce not because
they particularly liked his position on the Sia-
very question, but because they have supposed
him and his party to be favorable to the cause
of Freedom in Europe. But they have inter
csts in America, as well as in Europe. They
have no fondness for Slavery and do not
considered the Far West" sacred to Free
dom, and felt grateful that there, they and
those whom they love in their fatherland,
when driven into exile, might find free homes
and free institutions. What will they think
of this new policy of the Administration, which
aims insidiously to destroy the hulwarks of Free
dom around this magnificent domain, so as to
leave no spot of American territory sacred
against the intrusiOns of Negro Slavery? Let
them not be deceived. Such is the policy.
The report and bill mean this, and nothing
else
We have heard something said about such
bill being necessary to viudicate the consist
ency Of the Administration And has this
Administration come into power for the pnr-
pose of converting Free Soil into Slave Soil,
and Matchmaking Slavery?
1t has also been limited that, in drawing up
the BILL some respect was due to the doctrines
Of Gen. Cas-, in bis Nicholson letter, respecting
squatter sovereignty, and the absence Of power
in Congress to legislate on the internal cen
Germs of a Territory. Clearly, it is said, ac-
cordng to those doctrines, the Missouri Com
promise was not and is not constitutional
And SO, to crafty General Cass, and give coun-
tenance to the absurd doctrines, which defeated
his election to the Presidential chair, which
have involved him in laundering and embar-
rassments, and which have been repudiated by
the leading Democrats both North and South,
Territory, exempt fer one generation from
Slavery, is now to be thrown open to it's rava-
ges!
Have the people fairly looked the crisis in
the face? What is the two-fold demand of
the Slave Power? I" require from the Supreme
Court of the United States, a recognition Of my
claim to carry slaves into any Free State, to
suit my convenience, no matter what their
laws may be on the subject and also require
from the Congress Of the United States re-
cogniton of my claim to carry slaves at my
pleasure into any American Territory, no mat
ter what restrictions may have hitherto been
IN force therein. In other words, | claim that
ny empire shall cover the length and the
breadth Of the entire area of all tho States and |
Territories of this Union ~
What answer will the People return?