Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-06-03
DEBATE IN SENATE.
TIE NEBRASKA QUESTION.

TIE NEBRASKA QUESTION.
In SENATE, MAY "a, 1854. IN cOntinuSisa.l
The bin from the House Of Representative organizing
the Te of Nebraska and Kansas having
up and read o SECOND ume--ts
Mr.. HUNTER Mr. President, as an abstract anes-
ton certainly should prefer the bill as it went fonthe
Senate-that is with the so-called Clayton amendret
10 that which has been returned to MS from the House,
the two bills differing only understand, IN that re-
spect If had to frame bill myself and to consult only
my Judgment in referenoe to it. certainly should
prefer the Senate bill to that which is now uader con-
sderaton But sir, am not allowed to consider 1t In
reference only to my judgments must consider the
circumstances under which 1t is returned to u.s. be-
eye that the effect Of putting this amendment Will be
to hazard the bin in the House Of Representatives. and
do not choose to try such experiment on measure
of SO much Importance. Erprmenun IN Ua eorpore 10
must be upon cheap subsistence that We can venture
to try such experiments these, and not upon bill
which may involve the peace and harmony OF the whole
country. demonstrate at the adoption OF this
amendment would destroy the a in the House OF Rep
resentatives cannot, Pc produce evidence that
would satisfy my friend from North Carolina that would
even hazard it, But such evidence has been adduced
to satisfies that b sdcpon OF this amendment
to the bill will not only hazarl i III the House. but may
destroy it, There various ways in whic' II might
be destroyed. 1t might be laid on the table. have
seen such things attempted. II might be committed to
the Committee Of the Whole At any rate it would be
signal the renewal of that agitation from which the
country has already derived good and which should
be unwilling renewed merely for the sake OF this
amendment have no idea that it will be possible to
pass the bill with the amendment and would rather
have the bill without than the whole measure de-
stroyed and all the abors of the session. in regard to
this exciting question: rendered abortive.
But suppose it the Senator from North Carolina
imagines that the only question was upon this amend
ment that the House of Representatives would not
sent the agitation that there would be no one
there who would be rritated that the bill lie
upon the table, that there would be none there who would
seek to refer it to the Committee of the Whoe still Is
to considered what might be the effect and the result OF
the question thus presented 1t would be upon this naked
question Of the amendment and nothing else: If we can
suppose oil these propous circumstances to exist in re-
gard the action upon it. who then would determine this
question Why, it might be that the enemies OF the BILL
with small minority of its supporters, would 1x that
amendment upon it. and thus our Northern friends who
have come forward to sustain the BILL and risk much
in order repeal the Missouri repeal which
value so hghlymight have to 60 home and meet the
responsibility of the measure with this obnoxious restric
ton upon it, Would that be fair, sir? We understand
that the BILL it s brought in and carried through
upon compromise between its Northern and Southern
friends Northern sentiment conceded something In re-
peaing the Missouri restriction. Southern sentiment
conceded something in agreeing to reject what was called
sthe Clayton amendment to me that IT IS far
and just and proper for to ray that understanding
and to pass the bill it came from the House From
these considerations shall vote against the amendment
although say, if had nothing to consult but the simple
uggestions Of my own judgment, should vote for It.
But under existing circumstances, do not feel at hber.
y peril the bill by axng to it such an amendment
shall therefore vote against it.
Mr.. BELL l desire to give explanation OF my
vote this subject before the question is taken DO
not wish to occupy the attention of the Senate long
The honorable Senator from Illinois has intimated to me
the desire to have the questions preliminary tahe pas
sage of the bill taken this evening
Mr. DOUGLAS. Yes, sir and debate it tomorrow on
the question Of its passage
Mr.. BELL. But before vote shall desire to make
explanation. shall not deain the Senate long but
wish now reply to the honorable Senator from Irg-
MIA particularly because my vote this question VIII pe
regulated somewhat by the sentiment which has Deen
pressed by various gentlemen who friends Of the bill
of the opinion, Mr. President, that il the Dill goes
to the House the amendment will not be ooncurred in il
it shall be made by the Senate.
Mr.. PETIT. There is possibility OF It,
Mr.. BELL. It will not be concurred in. That is the
opinion Of the Senator from Virginia also and therefore
he will not to engraft it the bill believe, how
ever that the honorable Senator voted for the amend
ent when offered by the honorable Senator from Della
ware at the time the bill was formerly under our consid
GRAFTON.
Mr. HUNTER ibid.
Mr. BELL And understand the honorable Senator
now say that it any thing but mere abstract
question which was involved he would for it nows
Mr. HUNTER did not say If it were any thing but
an abstract question; said that if it abb
straot question would for it now, if had nothing
to consider but the suggestion Of my judgment did
not mean to say that it not Of Importance but that
it was not Of sufficient Importance to hazard the bill up
omit.
Mr.. BELL. understood the Senator to say that if it
any thing but abstract question would vote for
it.now; but there considerations behind which will
restrain him. He is of the opinion that it will not be
concurred in by the House. Does the honorable Senator
infer that the bill will be lost if the House does not
cur in the amendment?
Mr.. HUNTER. Does the Senator ask my opinion
am assured by those who think good judges OF the
sentiment of the House that the bill would be endanger
ed received that not ten minutes ago from
. friend of the bill
Mr.. BELL. But, although he is favor of this amend
ment upon principle he will waive it the ground that
nd
Various gentlemen all sides have taken the posi-
tion. presume know what the opinions Of many OF
these Senator's to that point but do not remem-
Der that any OF them distinctly stated what that higher
principle was which they supposed would be established
by the bi and which would induce them therefore, to
waive oil the opinions which they held as to the expe-
diency and Importance Of this amendment
Mr. TO0MBS. will tell the Senator as far as I am
concerned that 1t the repeal of the Missouri restrc
tion which the principle
Mr. BELL. / understand that. should like to hear
from of the gentlemen what they in regard to
it, The honorable Senator from Virginia has also nd
GATED that that is the great object The honorable Sena
tor from South Carolina, Mr.. BUTLER, upon another
OCCASION stated significantly and in expressive language
that he expected nothing else but to take that thorn from
his side Am wrong in attributng that sentiment to
the honorable Senator That the great principle to be
established.
Mr.. BUTLER If the honorable Senator alludes to
me- will still repeat that believe if the Northern peo
pie would voluntarily and in good faith repeal the Mis-
souri, compromise, and 1t contest upon mere
fictitious issue whether it resulted to or the other
would withdraw fostering thorn from the side of the
South. That my opinion.
Mr. BELL Understood il. TWAS a fine feeling and
40 hic tudu af