Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-02-17
Congress.


The topic of greatest interest in political circles at |
Washington City still continues TO be the Territorial
Bills introduced by Mr.. Douglas. Ii still continues
certain that these bills will pass the Senate substan-
TALLY, as reported. Indeed, it is hardly probable
that the hopes OF their opponents extend to any ex
pectaton of defeating them in that body Their pol
icy is that of procrastinaon, with the view OF gain
ing time to get up an excitement ut the North and
bringing that to bear upon the frightening
the tmid by the threats of public Indignation at
home, and affording excuse for the wavering 10
plead instructions from their constituents an excuse
for their abandonment of plain and obvious duty
Those at the North who in 1850, were the strongest
provisoist and ant-cOmpromise -men, are the very
ones now who talk so loudly about the sanctty of
the Missouri Lne-a line which evidently a
temporary eXpedient, and based upon no consttu-
tiona principle which could be of general applca-
ton to the 1rhole country. The line Of So deg. 80
min. was inserted part of the compromise under
which Missouri was brought into the Union. The
contracting parties to that bargain the State of
Missouri and the Congress of the Union. What
right had either to make a bargain binding a third
party, not then in existence, namely, the future cit
liens OF the Territories West of Missouri? Were
not applied to other and older States North Caro-
lima did not Immediately accede to the Union formed
under the present constitution yet, anything in
relation to slavery mooted at the time when she did
come in Are some States and Territories to exist
of inferior class, because more restrict
ed in their sovereignty than others Is men,
bership in the union the protection of the Genern-
ment to be bought at dearer rate by the citizens of
Nebraska, than by those of other communities? Are
all the rest to be at liberty to determine their own
municipal regulations, and they alone to be denied
that power in lis full extent? Such seem to be the
questions involved in the repeal or continuance of the
unconstitutional restriction imposed by the Mis-
souri, Compromise; unless the repeal be effected
the compromise of 1850 settles no principle
with its repeal, the road is plain and easy
In operation, slavery is apt TO recede than to
| advance upon its northern margin. The laws OF
trade will have that effect. It will pay better far
ther down. and therefore it will go 1t cannot be
restricted where it will i. 1t never has been
But the principle is the less sacred that all new
states should come into the Union upon equal foot
ing with the old, which could not be the fact if they
were to be incumbered with restrictions unknown to
the old To admit this system of restriction with
respect W WOulu open lOI leoIIIC'
tons with regard TO any other matter of municipal
regulation
Now, or at any time before the middle of June
the Territorial bills are safe. What the subsequent
effects northern clamor may be we know not
o. We are perplexed in the extreme, and we i'm
agne so is Mr.. Davis by the resolutions of all and
singular the Wing County meetings nominating that
gentleman. These resolutions go for open Con-
yention. Mr.. Davis has made speeches in this town
in which he avowed his opposition to the Convention
policy. How is this to be reconciIed COL McDu-
gald, no reported and, doubt, also drew up the
Bladen resolutions knew Mr.. Davis POSITION taken
very decidedly within the memory of man )" So it is
reasonable to suppose, did the committee at Coum-
bus Court. Is the Wing party sincere in this Con-
vention affair! do they only 10 honey fugge
the West little? 1t is strange mark of sincerity
to go for policy, and nominate gentleman who
is known to be directly opposed TO it.
All these things puzzle very considerably, and
we arc also subject to additional anxiety. We
would like to know whether not Mr.. Cameron, OF
the Fayetteville Argus, who present and address
ed the sovereigns at Bladen did the episode
of Bet Sweats" We ask the question because,
tial part Of his performance upon all occasions.
Indeed it appears to Us integral portion of Came
ron himself!
i Further Foreign News.
The mails by the Pacific from Liverpool, to the 25h
furnish ample details. Most all that is important