The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-10
The Nebraska Bill.

Now that the Nebraska bill is once more
fairly before the country, there is good ground
for hoping that il will lie discussed with more
reason and less passion than it was originally
in the North. Even the abolitionists have heard
enough by this time of the horrors of slavery
and the Nervousness of violating the compact OF
1920, and must be heartily sick of the one and
the other. The bugbear Of slavery has been
paraded before the North, until if it were pro-
posed to take vote of the people of New York
on their own right to designate their domestic
institutions, we should have large party here
opposed to any such measure. Dust has been
thrown in the eyes Of certain class Of our fel
low citizens till they can see nothing but the
slave drivers whip; the dictates of the constitu-
ton, the principles of our government and the
basis of our institutions have been entirely put
out of sight and forgotten. a few weeks inter
mission, however, have suficed to counteract
all this. The period which has elapsed since the
Nebraska bill went into Committee of the Whole
has enabled the most hasty to regain their equi-
librium, and we are all now in position to
form something like sensible opinion on the
measure which is before Congress. Fanaticism
has worn itself out; and while the supporters of
the bill have seen their principles grow daily
stronger, its opponents, whose conduct from
first to last has been nothing but an ebullition
Of passion, display an obvious willingness to
abandon their ground decently. Meanwhile Ne
braska continues to cry aloud for organization
and one of the finest regions on this continent.
territory whose resources and prospects are
not inferior to those of any State of the Union,
lies waste until Congress bids the husbandman
till its fields and the pioneer clear its forests
We say therefore to the friends of Nebraska
time is precious, lose not an hour The ques-
ton has been fully debated. Nearly all the
prominent men of this country have had their
say on the bill. Some seventy set speeches
have been reported in the newspapers. Every
possible view of the question has been exhaust
ed. Lest any man should have voted precipi-
lately, or any sectisn of the Union have re-
NAMED ignorant of the character of the mea-
sure, it was sent to Committee of the Whole.
where il has now lain several weeks Digested
at length, it reappears on the surface; and ii
there be majority in Congress favorable to its
principle, let it be passed at oace and the ques-
ton settled. Its authors must meet the conse.
quences OF their conduct. We believe that the
bill is based on the soundest constitutional
principle, and that as soon as fanatical excite
ment disappears altogether, an immense ma
jority of the people North and South will an
plaud the conduct of its trainers. But If IL Il
not so, the latter must bear the responsibility
of the movement they originated. There is no
longer any excuse for postponement or DELAY.
The bill must be passed at once; passed fairly
and honorably, but passed. The final vote will
show us how many friends the Union has in the
House Of Re re sentatives Those who oppose
the bill at this n uncture will find their name
registered among the list of the avowed enc
mics Of tie constitution ana The confederecy
those who support It will at least receive the
need due to good faith and lyalty.
A word 10 the New York national democrats
will not be out of place in this connection.
Whatever Messrs. Cutting and Wheeler may
think Of the abstract merits Of the bill their
first step at this stage Of the proceedings he.
been Of very doubtful character We are no
prepared 10 class either Of these gentlemen III
the same line with the abolitionists; and until
we receive very unequivoCal evidence to IN
contrary, We are ready TO accept Mr.. Cattngl
former declaration OF his views rs honest and
sincere. At the SAME time, We confess that
heir votes on Monday have caused "a unrin
lied surprise. II the national democrats Of hi,
state, q any portion Of them, prevent the SGT
.lcment Of this troublesome question according
10 the dictates Of the constitution. we shall re.
gard them as The most unpriucir'ca faction that