Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-03-24
New York evening Post on the
Nebraska Bill.

The bill was somewhat modified in the
last two DAYS of the debate; but the changes
are not all essential. BY one amendment it
Is declared that the old law Of Louisiana
respecting slavery, is not revived IN Nebras.
ka but as the majority Of those who voted
for this amendment hold that, IN the absence
of any legislation by Congress, slavery Is
ga ablished in Nebraska, aud that the people
of that region will have no power TO expell 1t
the change, when coupled with the vote on
the rejection of Mr. Chase's amendment is
rather a triumph for the Shareholders than
otherwise BY voting down that amend
ment which gave the inhabitants Of Ncbras-
ka authority to expel slavery, the Senate
have Welded 10 the southern doctrine. There
is. then, no need Of the old law Of Lousi
ana 10 make slavery legal institution in
Nebraska as soon as the Missouri Comprom-
Use is repealed. The slaveholdrng capital
lists can dispense with that pretence for hol-
ding slavery IN the territory as long as we
leave them what they deem better and
more plausible one.
There was another and very deXterous a.
mendnient adopted pending the discussions
on the bill. As II now stands, the effect
will be to keep the emgrants from Ireland
and Germany from the territory. The pnc-
tee has heretofore been, TO allow this class
of men TO vote, during the existence of the
territorial government, in all elections. as soon
as they arrive. and before they are natural
lied. The Nebraska bill allows no one ia
vote till naturalized. Mr.. Douglas cannot
trust the Gernan-the German is naturally
an enemy Of slavery he cannot trust the
Irishman--the lrishman is free loborer, and
! A. -. a. do ,f al k.
no, trust the Swede, the Norwegian, or the
| Alsatian. Nebraska may swarm with white
settlers. newly arrived from the old world
they may form the large majority Of ITS ~
| habitants, vet not one Of them Will be allow
| ed to vote till he has lived IN the country fol
five years. The object Of the bill is % con
fine the privilege of voting and regulating
4 the domestic institutions of the slavehol
ders from Arknsas and Missouri. This il
the bill which provides for the sell govern
ment Of the people Of Nebraska.
For many years the Missouri Compromis,
was spoken Of, by southern men, az some
thing established for ever it was 10 be held
sacred by all parties. It was hardly mention
ed without being coupled with the wore
"sacred"
If, at a former period, a northern member
peal. he would have been booted from al
parties, and pronounced "outside the pal,
of any healthy political organization
But all at once It Is discovered that thi,
compromise was violation Of the constitu
ton, though what provision ofihe constitution
It violates, no one has yet been asiut,
enough to point out. Men have risen up a
this DAY. wiser than those who framed the
Constitution, and understanding ia proyls
IONS better than those VINO made them, and
better than their great contemporary judges
who had some reputation for wisdom Ia then
days.
There is one lesson which the free State,
have been slow TO learn, but which they
would be blind not 20 perceive now. 1t j,
this that slavery knows no law that il
has no respect for any constitution; that it
recognises no obligation, and regards nc
compact its whole creed Is spelt by five
/ letiers-that creed Is power.
This is necessarily so, FROM the nature o.
things. Injustice and wrong are the very
escence of slavery. They constitute its life
blood. They are its foundation stones. LA.
bitua disregard of the rights Of one class o.
human beings necessarily begets disregard
to the rights of all others.
Power must be met by power. Encroach.
ment must be checked by resistance Wa
call upon the people of the free States TO a
rouse to sense of the dangers that threaten
them.--The progress Of slavery will find n,
limit until the authoritative voice OF the free
States spoken through more faithful repre-
sentative in Congress, shall fix a limit, no
TO be oyerslepped not to be removed.