Washington sentinel., 1854-03-25

ing the previous question, an adjournment
until Monday took place.
REFERENCE OF THE NEBRASKA
BILL TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE
WHOLE.
The reference of the Nebraska and Kansas
bill to the Committee Of the Whole on the state
of the Union, on the motion Of Mr.. Cutting, of
New York, is a political movement that took
the House Of Representatives and the country
by surprise. 1t has given rise to much specu-
lation. 1t is understood and interpreted diff
ferently by different persons. Before express.
ing our own views, we will give the various
speculations Of others. Some regard it as an
open, some as an insidious attack on the bill
Some consider Mr.. Cutting as friendly, some
as hostile to the great principle involved in it
This fact is undeniable, that the enemies of tn,
non-intervention principle voted for Mr.. Cut
ting's motion. The New York Tribune ant
kindred sheets regard Mr. Cuttings course a.
evincing hostility to the measure, and hail it a.
a strong indication ofits defeat. The Tribune
thus refers to the result Of Mr.. Cuttings unex
pected and much to be regretted movement
at is" says that journal, "with no ordinary
emotions of gratitude and gladness that we an.
nounce the stunning blow given to the Nebras-
ka bill in the peoples House yesterday Al
most without exception, the Washington letter
writer's have regarded it as hostile demon
stration against it. The. great body Of the
friends and supporters of the measure have
taken the same view of it, and, to a man, its
enemies have claimed the vote on Mr.. Cutting
proposition as a signal triumph.
We take two editorial articles from the New
York National Democrat Of the 23d instant
in which its opinions are expressed. That pa
per says:
ave cannot see that the action ofthe House
on Tuesday, in referring the Nebraska bill tc
the Committee Of the Whole on the state oi
the Union, will injure the bill itself, as some
persons seem to think. The bill has only taken
the course which all important measures take,
and there is sufficient time of this Congress
left to have it passed in its regular order
Strenuous advocates ms we are for the princi.
shall have been amended in one important
particular we are pleased at the action which
has been taken in regard to it, because we feel
assured of its ultimate triumph, and believe
that the discussion which will be had upon it
will tend greatly to reconcile its passage to
those who now oppose it. 1t would be unius,
to the large body Of persons who oppose bill SC
important in its character, that it should be hur
ried through under the operation ofthe previous
question, upon the report ofa committee known
to favor it and the very best argument tha,
could be offered in its favor is, that its friend.
are willing that it should be open to discussion
and scrutiny. Among those who voted FOR thu
bills reference are some of its most steadfas
friends southern men as well as northern men
The vote in the House on Tuesday demon
strated one thing it proves that the bill will
depend for its ultimate safety upon the vote 0
the New York democracy. The gallant bant
who have so long been struggling for the su
premacy of democracy principles, who have
encountered opposition from professed friends
of the party, and whom this administration ha,
in vain endeavored to crush out Of existence
must be called upon at last to save this grea
measure from complete and utter annihilation
The southern people must now see the force o.
the lesson we have all along inculcated. A
momentperilous to them is speedily approach
ing; their only reliance will be found to be upon
those northern men, solately and fiercelyabus
by southern politicians and southern presses
is well for the interests Of the United Union
that the democracy Of New York are actuated
by principle, and not by passion. Were they
weak enough to obey the stern law of retalia
tion, the moment is most appropriate for its
exercise. The Nebraska bill viii pass in gooG
Zee do L.
enemies are cheering while yet fully in th
woods"
Again, in another article, it says
"Our correspondent from the Capitol tell
MS that southern men are beginning to loo
about them, and now confess that without tb
aid Of the conservative democracy of the mort
the Nebraska bill would lie PROSTATE, and ii
safety Of the southern institutions be serious
endangered. We knew this state of thins
would be arrived at and trust the lesson
teaches will be duly observed. Southern pol
ticians, who so lately Joined in the administr.
tons hue and cry against men who had cou,
age to resist the unlawful encroachments
power, now come caps in hand to solicit asss
ance from the very men who but yesterday the
were in arms against. We'll; they will get il
The democracy will do Justice although Il
heavens fall They will exercise what pow,
is in tbsm to advance the principles Of II
party, and the constitutional rights of ii
States. Fortunately their ability to accompis
good has not been destroyed, notwithstandin
the attempts made to weaken il. Some of ou
people are discouraged and dispirited by the
treatment in the past. They deem that thei
generosity is TO be again exercised, to be agai
unthanked. They have right SO to feel; bu
their position at this moment is the proudes
one they could possibly occupy; encircling wit
their broad arms the rights Of the States, an
protecting from menaced destruction the prir
cIples Of the party. Who will now refuse to az
cord justice 10 the New York democracy
IT,. wboIo conntrv Lnovs that tba 60 Hba rds