Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-04-22

/ To the contrary, will always be IN the way. IL
is not a Popular body in ito composition or in
its sympathies IL does not derive its existence
from the People, and its responsibility to the
People is too remote and feeble to secure for
them great weight in its deliberations A
body that can pass the Nebraska Bill, ratify
the Gadsden Treaty, and reject the Homestead
Bill needs reconstruction.
THE TEST OF ORTHODOXY in THE SENATE.
Strange things are done in secret session OF
the Sepate, which the good People are not
often permitted to catch even glimpse OF.
Some sensation has recently been awakened
by the rejection Of Mr.. Angel, a Barnbnrnor
of New York, nominated for the Consulate at
Honolulu The Public would have been edi-
fled, we presume, had the proceedings in the
case been open. SO far ~ we can reason from
rejected because the majority Of the Senate
was not satisfied that he was FREQ from the
faint of Free Soil, or sound or the Nebraska
Question. He had voted for Van Buren, in
1S48; subsequently, however, acted with the
Party in New York that placed itself upon the
Baltimore Platform and elected General Pierce
Like the rest Of his political associates, he ao-
cepted the test and was admitted to the fell
lowship OF the so-called Democratic Party
The President, in pursuance Of tho policy of
securing the allegiance of those who, in q par
oxysm Of excitement arrayed themselves
against the regular Baltimore nominations of
1913, accepting Mr.. Angeles present acqui-
escence in the Baltimore Platform and sup
port Of his Administration, as an evidence OF
his orthodoxy, nominated him for consulate J;
but the majority Of the Senate, with a keener
scent for heresy, Inferred wo presume, from
the antecedcnts Of the nominee, that he was
not sound on the Nebraska Question and no
rejected him.
The independent Democratic Senator'S, of
course, could have nothing to do in the prem
ises. They could not with any consistency
vote for the ratification Of a nomination which
would never have been made but for the repu-
diation by the nominee of the doctrine and
policy which they and he had supported in
common in 1913; and they could not vote
against it, when they saw that he was to be
| rejected because suspected still of lingering
faint of Free Soil. With such nominations
they clearly have nothing to do. Let the Ad-
ministraton Party settle for itself to what ex-
tent man must humble himself for having
supported the cause Of Freedom and Free Soil
in 1913, in other words, what must be the ma
tnre and amount of the expiration for that
deadly offence, requisite to qualify him for a
consulate, q post citice, a mail contract!
Meantime, will not ouf Democratic (?) Senate
be gracious enough to permit the People to
look in on their proceedings in regard to nomi
nations 80 that they may learn what are the
necessary qualifications of an ofice-holder
They are already aware that capacity and
honesty are rather minor considerations, and
that even fidelity to the Party is somewhat at
a discount What then, is it that governs the
majority Of the Senate in its decision If there
is Class Interest that reigns supreme in that
body, and fidelity to its demands is an absolute
condition to the ratification of any nomination,
surely the Senate is too bold and honorable to
shrink from avowing the fact. We submit that
it is very cruel, especially to offce-seekers, to
say nothing Of the impolicy of the thing, to
keep this matter hidden from the People. To
make public the test, might have a softeniDg
influence on the Auti-Slavery preiudices Of our
fellow citizens, and especially dispose the Office
seekers to repent, in sackcloth and ashes, OF
Free Soilism, and to bring forth fruits meet for
repentance. Besides, the Senate might acquire
q new hold on the affections of the People.
Making the support Of the repeal of the Mis-
souri, Compromise test Of fitness for Office,
would vindicate its solid consistency in the eyes
OF mankind Ii would show the same kind Of
pluck and sagacity the President did, when,
through Mr.. Cushing, he put his heel on Free
Soil, broke up the enfcinte eordiaie between the
Hunker Democracy and tho Independent De-
mocracy in Massachusetts, defeated the new
Constitution, and gave the State to the Whigs-
That illustrous act Of devotion 10 Slavery, re-
gardless Of consequences, we commend to tho
Senate. Let il emulate the bravery Of that
great man, and avow publicly the test which it
now enforccs secrctly--submissio to Slavery
in general and support Of the Repeal Of the
Missouri Compromise in particular, absolute
conditions TO the ratification by this body OF
all nominations.
MAKE NEBRASKA AND KANSAS FREE STATES
The st Louis Anseigner des Westens, Ger
man newspaper, says:
"A new, vast fruitful Territory, on the west
ern boundaries OF Missouri and Iowa, is ut this
moment opened to immigration /; but at tho
same time pitiable dcmagogues, who speculate
upon Southern votes mt the next Presidential
election, make the lowest attempts 10 trans.
plant the OWL Of Slavery into these new, free
Territories
aThe Nebraska bill Of Douglas will be passed