The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-06-02
Passage of the Nebraska Bill.

Af:er long, angry, and almost revolutionary
contest, the Nebraska and Kanzas bills have at
last passed the lower House of Congress.
The principle Is regarded by the National and
States Rights men all over the Union most just
and sauary, and undoubtedly would have met
with favor even at the North. but for the appre-
hension that slavery might thereby be admitted
into the territories. This is the ground Of oPpo-
sitIon 10 it by The abolonists AMI free soers, Tor
the cry that was made about the repeal of the Mis-
souri, Compromise was insncere, and only used
for effect. For as il was clearly shown by MIR.
Clingman, that whenever ANYTHING 10 be
gained to the North by it, that faction always dis
regarded it. 1t is well known that the South in the
memorable winter Of l95O-'5l, only insisted upon
the extension Of that line west to the Pacific
when every man from the North voted against e..
This bill evinces returning Of justice upon
part of the men at the North, and will tend
greatly to hush up agitation and strengthen the
bonds of the Union. There is one feature in this
BILL that of recognising squatter sovereignty, that
is distasteul 10 u.s. bu; take it a whole it COM
mands our warmest support, and upon those
Northern Democrats that stood by the South in
this struggle for equality and justice, too much
praise cannot be bestowed
The following summary OF the features OF the
bill we find in the Baltimore Sun:
The bill provides for The organization Of the
territories of Nebraska and Kansas 1t conlers
the gh Of suffrage and eligibility Office at the
first election, and the formation OF the gov errment
upon every free white male inhabilant above the
resident of said territory. This is the principle
OF the fifth section, establishing 'squatter snver-
eighty" as i! has been termed. But The quaIifi.
cations of voters and of holding office at AL sub
scquent elections shall be such shall be pre-.
scrlbed by the legislative assembly. Here was
interpoIaled The Clayton proviso, as follows:
Pr0CIdnI, That the right of suffrage and Of
holding office shall be exercised only by cilizrn ms
of the United SIates.''
This proviso is rejected by The House, and is
expected to constitute subject Of contertlon
again in the Senate.
The clause of the bill which has proved the
great theme Of debate and strife is included il the
l4th section, ard is as follows
That the constitution, and all laws OF the
United States which are not locally isapplicable,
shall have The same force and within the said
Territory OF Nebraska as elsewhere withia the
United States. Except the eighth section o the
act preparatory TO the admission OF Missouri into
the Union, approved March sixth, eighteen hum
dred and twenty, which was superseded By the
principles of the legislation Of eighteen hundred
and fifty, commonly called the compromise mea.
sures, and is hereby declared imperative"
The bill, in its main features as characterized
above, was passed on Monday night, the 22d, by
vote of 113 to 100; 43 northern Democrats
voting for the bill and not one qchlg The North
Carolina delegation voted as follows: Messrs
Craige, Shaw, Rufin, Ashe, Kerr and CIingman
for it, and Messrs. Puryear and Rodgers against
it. Thus it will be seen that two out Of the three
whg members from this State voted with Giddings,
Gerrt Smith, and others of the vilest Aboonists
against the bill. The wing party not only is di.
vded in the Union on this question, but among
themselves at home. Mr.. Rodgers can afford to
vote in direct conflict with the wishes of his con.
stituency and the whole State which he in part
msrepresents, for he has no hope OF reelection /;
but Mr.. Puryear will be held strictly to account.
What excuse can the gentleman give for the vote :?
Is it because the measure originated with Dem
ocrat that they are willing 10 sacrifice the interest
OF their constituency and brand the South nfe.
rior in the conederacy! Which is the Wing
ground in this State! Where does Gen. Dockery
stand, is he with Messrs. Rodgers and Puryear,
or with Badger and Kerr, or does he ride both
sides of the rail. The platform of the Wing Con.
vention does not define his position. Our neigh.
Dor OF the Wing promised, if we mistake not, TO
inform US the General commenced the
canvass. We are waiting patiently.