New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-05-19
TIE QUESTION. BEFORE CONGRESS.

li~h.rt.
Is there an intelligent man in the Country v 30 a.
heart doubts this Not Take the districts OF tAs
North only; 90 through the one by one AM ooL .:
the votes they have given in past times end br: re-
c,rtly ana it will be found that the Whig aai Tree.
Sill vote aoue is nearly quite enough to turn .Ae
scale. But add thereto the Barnburnng vote OF tae
New-York representative distTicts, and the known
quantity OF the kindred Free Sol. sentiment, in the
Democratic party existing in tie other free States
and il no admits Of question that tie combined
aggregate would powerfully preponiera.e in nine
districts out Of ten Throughout the free States
than that two and two make four But this
is not oil. Tie main body OF the Old line
Democratic party in the North, in whose bosom
has existed anything but opposition to Vhig aud
Free sellers, are, far can gather information
from their recent action. infer anything from the
nature OF things totally opposed 70 the measure Look
al Maine; Her Legislature unanimously passed r. sol-
tCIs against the Nebraska bill. Look at Rhode Is and;
Fer Legislature did precisely the ;hing. Behold
New Isnp,hire The democratic party rep ldiated
tie measure IN toto at the ate election there and Yet
the suspicion that the leaders not sound upon
TIE question resulted in of tue most notable po.t
csi revolutions of our times. See Connecticut The
Ieuout,ic Tai.y, avoiding the Issue mos, carefully,
yet tuned neck and heels out o. power the instant,
because tic Democracy feared they would be commit
tod to it, support fthey did hot act 1t was to
certain Lrowledee, by members OF the OLD line Demo
cratic Iariy Of Connecticut hat that state was SO COM
pet, ~ Iey0Iutionized and thrown to the Wings.
Look again at ennsylyana-phlcgrnatc Pennsylva
with her powerful aud steady Democratic majority,
fearing to touch the question in her Convention,
~ -. So. 80 ,.fv
appretens,e hat it would work the overthrow of the
party See Illinois spuTred and BRAIDED up to the work
ss her Legislature was, by urgent orders from wash
ington. That body composed OF - members, with
only i6 " hgs ont of that whole number, could mus
ter but 80 votes to sustain Douglas on this question
Now the Wings and Free Soilers OF the North are
fixed and easily estimated force, and nobody will
doubt that they unanimous against every sug-
eesion and shadow of such an enormty Theme comes
the Free Soil division of the Democrats, who are
distinct and well understood power in the ranks Of
the dominant party, of whose weight at least an ap-
proximate estimate can be formed. 1t is certainly
well understood in all political circles that this por-
ton of The party numerous enough in every dis
trict Of the North to swing it all high and dry in
ANY election if their surages added 20 those Of
the Wings and Free-Soers. But in aid OF this calcu-
aton of the relative numerical strength OF parties in
the North the question: and the conclusion 1t esab-
shcs tie plain nlerences deducble from the signli
cant elections Hampshire and Connecticut the
demonstrations in the Legislatures and Conventions
of the regular Democratic psry IN the Staeswe have
enumerated the protest Of numerous public meetings
the extraordinary protest % hearty the whole clerical
body in the North the opposition of the leading press
of all parties I'll 90 TO demonstrate with unquest.)na-
bic certainty that the proposition to repeal the sis-
scum Compromise would be Overwhelmingly defeated
in every Congressional district in the North ii the
question could be submitted to the people to-day.
There is doubt about it. The sun oil absolute
COM teton shines clear Ia every Northern mind on this
subject Its absolutely knor. that the entre North
ern people are against the repeal OF the Missouri
Compromise. The leader, in The scheme know this
lust - well Is we DO. lie would be bold man who
would DENY 30 manifest truth, however great the
temptation for him to lie We don't believe that
even that marslbird, Harry Iii5bard would do it.
And ii lie would not, the case is closed Oh that head
Now We ask, in all moderation, if here is not abun-
Cant justification for the course OF the minority In II
sstrg that the shall be submitted to the People
oI their decision If these conclusions are iaacous,
how easily the fact be demonstrated. If they are
not who daros to say the bill shall pass Who darcs
to engage in the Criminal and despOtic enterprise of
fastening vile odOus, revolutionary measure whose
consequences are var, as its unmatched turpltude,
upon an unwilling people simply because they canno.
help Themselves
The minority are only defending precious rights, OF
vi ch they are in this crisis the sole guardians They
are at the same time asserting their rights ofwhich
no man and no body OF men may deprive them. They
entertain iactiOus nor partisan feelings on the sub
ect they regarding IT from an elevated point OF
view having reference solely TO the permanent we'll
being of the Republic. They desire there shall be no
precipitation and haste in closing question OF such
magnitude aud attended by such lasting and mOmentous
results - ihis measure brings in its train. There is
no need of hurry Nebraska is wilderness. No in
habitants are there That vast territory has waited
6,COO years for the white mans occupancy 1t can
certainly wait more.
But whatever others may think or admit, or think
and refuse TO admit our convictions perfectly SET
tied and clear that it is outrsge beyond humsn en-
durance 10 impose this great measure Of the repeal OF
wise and benefcent law which has stood untouched
for third of a century and which secures gigantic
domain to FREEDOM FOREVER, upon people who
are opposed in every bone muscle snew and tissue,
10 that repeal And we are unable 10 ind language of
condemnation TOO strong express the depth Of our
Indignation st the conduct Of the men who are urging
the passage of the measure IT this moment. And that
ndignstion kudles anew whenever we consider the
reasons offered by the supporters OF this great inquiry
for their course. How can We have patience, when
we are told that the bill must be got through at once,