The daily union., 1854-02-08
From the Washington (Pa.) Rxauiner.
The Nebraska Bill. aa


The bill introduced by Senator Douglas Of Illinois, for
the organization Of the Territory Of Nebssa, il already
exciting remark and discussion both in Congress and
OF IT. The bill proposes to leave the question OF slavery or
no slavery to the decision OF the people OF the Territory
themselves This the principle promuged BY that disin-
guished statesman General Cass his celebrated Nicho
son letter Ii is the principle established the policy Of
the government by the compromise measures Of 1880 II
is the principle incorporated into the democratic creed by
the Baltimore resolutions Of 1852 and, We may add. il
isthe principle which secured the brilliant triumph Of the
national democracy in tho ois.on Of r...ii. Piece
Congressional non intervention the subject Of slave
ry the established policy Of this government, and We
believe those who attempt to disturb il now will meet
with signal overthrow.
To leave the question with the people OF the Terrific.
res to say fo themselves in their several constitutions
whether ihe will tolerate slavery in their midst Of not
democs,c and strictly with the spirit Of or
lnstuliors and the cardinal principle which updshss
them all Of the sovss4ny g the psopk II is constitu-
,ona because accords to each Slate the privilege OF
regulating It's domestic affairs, and gives 10 the States
hereafter to be admitted into the Uaon an equality OF
right with the older members OF the confederacy Con.
gess, believe, has right TO admit State into the
Onion shorn Of her constitutional rights Suppose, for
moment that the state OF facts which now exists were
reversed and that the numerical power in both branches
Of Congress belonged the South and that the South
demanded iha, State should hereafter be admitted
wilhou, The proviso that slavery should be tolerated
within her limits; cannot all perceive that such de-
mand would be insolent, uniusi6abc, and tyrannical
Certainly, the North would resist to the very last the
Introduction OF any and all such provisos. She would
then contend, the South does for the great prin
ciple OF State rights and popular sovereignty.
II Congress may impose upon State about 10 Be
admitted into the Union restrictions ss 70 slavery, she
may, with as much propreiy, provide against 4 system
OF apprenticeship; che may regulate the in which
the marriage ceremony shall be performed and the causes
for which divorces may be granted, she may impose
terms prohibiting the State from making internal
Improvements, from having an elective Judiciary. from
voting by ballot, from ensctng the hsssS corpus the
trial by jury in word she may to any extent. limited
only by arbitrary will. nulfy the several claases of
the constitution by which the people OF the States have
solemny reserved 10 themselves the regulation and
elusive control OF their domestic concerns.
There s one other aspect Of the which clearly ~
veas the importance OF the doctrine OF congressional noa-
Intervention. BY leaving The question TO be eecidsd BY
the PEOPLE OF each State and Territory for themselves
Congress deprves at OF ,s dangerous fsa-
,ures Il ceases 10 be sectional. and becomes only
local. question II s hns rendered 20 werle excite
sectional feelings. sectional parties, and sectional GMi-
mosiues. This consideration adds additional strength
10 the argument in favor Of the doctrines OF the Nchol
son letter. and shows that power is always most safsl
lodged with the people On the other hand the excite
men ll-feelug and sectional hostility growing out sf
the discussions Of this qsesion the halls OF Congress
during the memorable session OF is5o-and which were
alayed finally BY the celebrated compromise measarss,
based upon the principle for which we ara now contend
ingcons,iiu,e solid and impregoable argument against
the renewal OF those discussions in the national councils
BY lar the worst effect of the slavery agitation in
discord and jealousy and TO weaken the force o hat
| frsernal feeling among the people, both North and
South. which beat patriots and wisest slaassmen
have held 10 be the strongest bond OF national Union
When that spir, OF fraternity shall have beea ost and
destroyed the constitution will be bat rops Of sand 10
bind the States together, and ,he power of sove,nnen
maintain the integrity Of the Union will prove 10 BE-
weakness itself
For these reasons. then. are n favor OF the bill
insdoced by Judge Douglas. which proposes 10 lssvs
The question Of slavery 10 the people Of the Tefsoes
l. Because il is demssrstie. ,sss
Becauss II is constitutional, recognises the dostios
Of rights, and guarantees newly admitted SAses