The daily union., 1854-02-11
The Nebraska question.

properly defined, The Nebraska bill introduced by
lodge Douglas ia the Senate OF the United States, and
pending before that body. is OF great i'm
portxnce, aud called Tor BY the whole couny the
ultimate and elective settlement OF this much vexed
question. Issues OF this momenous character never
are, and be. from the very OF the
definitely settled by physical regulation OF bounds
and limits Geographical lines. however nicely drawn
and however potent the wand Of the enehanier who
draws them, cannot lay The ghost The troubled spirit
will arise again and again. and haunt when we least
expect it, Nothing but settlement upon principle, full
declaration of great and vital uah can put such dan
gerous and unhappy question al rest forever.
The compromise measures OF 1850, 40 far as they
touched The subec, OF slavery. applied thereto The need
ed principle, BY declaring that every community, whether
territorial or State has the full and sole right OF dser-
mining for itself whether slavery shall shall not exist
within its boundaries. This imboinen. oi The great
aad fundamental principle OF entire freedom Of action,
which is the bass Of all political Institutions fully
the necessities Of the case, and furnished an ample
and effective solution Of question. which BY reason OF
its treatment heretofore upon narrow and emporlzng
plan, has again and again menaced the psrmanency Of
the Union Thus tine Compromise Of 1850 was truly the
salvation OF the Union and The important event
Of the constitution The Nebraska bill is framed in ac-
cordsnce with the great principle above referred TO- but
derives its peculiar importance from the fact that j,
recognizes thai the Missouri Compromise OF 1920 is
peaed Such is the truth, and The declaration thereof in
the bill rendered necessary by the perresiy Of Sec
onal gtatos, who, for purposes OF mischief MAINTAIN
that the Missouri Compromise is still n force aud seek
10 rtae and annoy the South by insisting upon the exc
cution OF its provisions.
That act in It's nature OF those temporary PAL
latves with which imid political quaeks seek 10 cure
deep seated and dangerous disorder BY establishing
geographical line in the western territory north Of
which slavery should not. and south of which il might,
exist sought by puny human devices 10 suPegseds the
fixed laws OF Nature, and Of entirely failed OF its
intended effect to limit and control the institution of
slavery Never for single day has the establishment OF
slavery been prevented aided in any part Of the ccan
try over which that Compromise extended Natural
causes, such the climate soil. and nature OF the conn
try affecting the value OF slave labor, have controlled
the matter enirely-and iha, without the slightest IN
fuence from the law in question The Missouri Com
PROMISE however, was worse than aselesst was mis-
chieyous for by lesszing slavery within certain limits
gave false importance the subject and excited expec
taons and encouraged claims 10 rights which have very
much embarrassed and complicated the public discussions
upon this subject.
The Missouri Compromise virtually abfogaied,
IL shown by Judge Douglas in his very able and lucid
speech in support of his bill. By the laws establishing
the Territories OF Iowa and Minnesota. The greater
portion Of these Territories is within the hGs OF the
French purchase over which the slavery restriction
OF the Mlssun Conpronise expressly dessned to
operate And yet Congress gave the legislature Of hsse
Terors. full power make any laws they night desire
to enact upon the subject, either TO tolerate prohibit
slavery No restrictions whatever pui upon their
save power, except in relation 10 The public lands
and taxing the property OF the United States. Again,
this compromise law abrosaied IN the law establish
ing IN. Territory OF New Mexico portion Of which
wac. IKE the greater part Of Minnesota, and all Of Iowa.
Of the Feuch purchase, aad sabisc, 10 the slavery re-
s,ricon. Full powers Of legislation upon all subjects,
and including slavery. were given 10 this Territory and
the Law further provides that New Mexico may here
after come into the Union a sovereign State. with or
wfhou, slavery, as il might think proper.
Again in Is4s the Senate passed bill extending the
Missouri COMPROMISE line Of 30 deg 30 min. to The Pa
chc ocean and The Hous. rejected the Here was
direct refusal the part OF Congress, to recognise the
binding authority OF the Compromise law and 10 extend
is provisions over the newlyacqured territory. All this
show. clearly that the Missouri Conpomise s in fact as
it always virtually, mere nGlliiy.
The series OF acts known the compFonise measures
OF 1850, which isclude The New Mexico act above re-
ferred TO- clearly and distinctly aside the geographical
line 30 deg 30 min the limit OF slavery, and substitute
in It's stead The broad and jus, principle hat each com
nuniiy shall Judge for itself Whether not il will per-
nit slavery under il. territorial government This effect,
usy removes the whole question IRON the legislation Of
Congress- and leaves the matter where properly be-
longsn the hands OF those who to be affected By
the decision thereof.
The Nebraska bill simply carries out the principle
established by The Compromise Of 1850, n giving 10 the
people OF The proposed Territories Of Nebraska and
Kansas enre freedom Of action 10 whether they viii
have slavery or not and declares that be dead which
s dead-viz; the Missouri Compromise The ball there
fore demands the support Of both political parties, ior
both wings and democais through their national con-
senons have declared their Adhesion 10 aad suppou oI
The compfonse measures. Of which the principle Of
tire freedom Of action u The people Of the Territories
upon the subject Of slavery i the chief cone-sons.
Democrats cannot fail 10 support The BILL for the principle
referred to s eminenly democratic, and saeh CON.
msnds itself to their hearty APPRECIATION. Neither can
wings refuse to suppor, H. Il thsy sincere in Their
Official declaration through their natiooal convention,
that the whig party would maintain the compromise
measures.
80 Al