The daily union., 1854-03-03
The AboIitioni.t. and the Nebr.,k. bn,

We have long cherished the hope that the passage Of
the compromise measures Of 1850 would result in so
entire withdrawal of the slavery question from the two
great political organizations Of the country as 10 con.
fine its agitation TO the ranks of the abotonss Thus
confined, The peace and harmony OF the confederacy
could never be disturbed endangered BY sectional agta
hon. That the aboiioBsts themselves looked TO such
result as fatal TO their occupation" was fully mani
Tested upon the nrodaction OF the Nebraska bill into
the Senate BY Judge Douglas The eager yehemence with
which they assaied that bill when rested upon the e1
ac, language OF the Compromise OF $780, and before the
clause was inserted declaring the Missouri Compromise
imperative and void, showed concIusivey their deerm
nation TO ess, any measure which promised 10 place the
slavery question beyond the reach of future disturbance
II showed also, fixed determination on III cir part TO re-
new and stir up all the elements OF discord and disses.
sion for the purpose OF defeating the bi and OF keep
ing the question open 10 be made available in the future
schemes OF political sggrandizement by their leaders
Upon It's introduction the abolitionss took the lead in
opposition 10 the bill They prepared the argument. on
which was TO be attacked, and sent them broadcast
over the country appealing earnestly and passouatey
10 all the feelings and considerations which promised
aid in producing popular excitement Ii became
necessary for the friends OF the bill TO meet and
they found themselves engaged in in which ab
ohonis were their prominent antag and the argu-
ments furnished by abolinonss were to be answered.
In this way The issue the bill wa. first made up be
tween It's friends the side and the aboonis,,
its leading opponents on the other To very considera
bic extent, the issue has retained this complexion in the
discussions to which has given rise, although II eanno,
with proprie,y be said that all who oppose the bill are
abolitionsts. The violence and industry with which
their prominent men have kept up the warfare have en-.
abed them 10 retain the front rank in The opposition and
bave caused the other opponents OF the bin to stand in
the background The very fact that the abolition enc
mics have occupied Ibis prominent position in the comics,
has made II necessary for the advocates of the measure
10 direct their blows them and at their arguments We
have been far misled, however as 10 regard
every man sbouonis, who could not reconcile il
TO his convictions Of duty 10 support the bill. That
any democrat Of whg should be coetced by bic con.
vctioDs 70 withhold BIZ approval from the measure,
and thereby ind himself cooperating IL the opposi.
ton wilh aboliiioniss, has been one feature in the
controversy which we have much regretted We are
aware that there democrats Withholding their sup
port, who stood side BY side with us in 1913 in ad-
vocaiipg the principle Of non-intervenron avowed by
our candidate for the presidency, and who have
ever been the jealous supporters Of the COMPROMISE of
1850, which recognised and enacted tba, principle We
are aware that there other demoeas who objected TO
The Compromise Of 1850 when il was passed. but who
have since faithfully aeqnesced in Il, who are not pre-
Pared 70 sustain the Nebraska bill In oor judgment il
would be as unwise II would be unjust 10 regard and
treat such opponents Of the as thereby aboli-
cnzing themselves Such democrats, as we understand
them, recognise the principle Of non-inervention as