The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-02-09
The Ohio address.

ton IN Congress (Whigs and Dcmocrats) re-
lative to the Nebraska Bill, and we thought
they had been published in the Journal. As i
they apply most directly to the question. we
now offer these extracts to our readers. They
are forcible and to the roint:
At the present session, new Nebraska
bill has been reported by the Senate Com
mittee on Territories, which should it unhap-
PLY received the sanction of Congress, will
open all the unorganized territory of the Union
to the ingress Of Slavery.
We arraign this bill as q gross violation
of sacred pledge, as criminal betrayal of
an attrocious plot to exclude from vast un-
occupied region, immigrants from the Old
World, and free laborers from our own
States, and convert it into dreary region
of despotism, inhabited by masters and slaves.
Take you maps, fellow citizens, we entreat
you, and see what country it is which this
bill, gratuitously and recklessly, proposes to
open to Slavery.
! From the southwestern corner for Missouri
pursue the parable Of 80 deg. 80 min. north
latitude westwardly across the Arkansas,
across the north fork of Canadian, to the
north eastern angle of Texas, then follow
the northern boundary of Texas to the west
ern limit of the New Mexico; then proceed
along that western line TO its northern ter
mnation; then again turn westwardly, and
follow the northern line OF New Mexico to
the crest Of the Rocky Mountains; then as
cend northwardly along tie crest Of the noun
/ tain range to the line which separates the
United States from the British Possessions in
North America, on the 10th parallel OF north
latitude; then pursue your course eastwardly
which falls into the Missouri from the north;
descend that river to its confluence with the
Missouri; descend the Missouri. along the
western boundary of Minnesota, Of Iowa, Of
Missouri, to the point where it ceases TO be q
boundary line, and enters the State to which
it gives its name; then continue your south
ward course along the western limit Of that
State to the point from which you st out.
You have now made the circuit Of the propos-
ed Territory of Nebraska. You have trav-
ersed the vast distance of more than three
thousand miles. You have traced the out
line Of an area OF four hundred and eighty
) five thousand square miles; more that twelve
times as great as that Of Ohio.
This immense region, occupying the very
heart Of the North America continent, and
larger, by thirty-three thousand square miles
Than all The existing Free States, excluding
Calilornia-this immense region, well wa
tered and fertile through which the Middle
and Northern Routes from the Atlantic TO the
Pacific must pass-this immense region, en-
!. bracing all the unorganized territory of the
nation, except the comparatively insignificant
district Of Indiana territory north Of the Red
L yer and between Arkansas and Texas and
now for more than thirty years regarded by
the common consent ofth A American Peo-
) pie as consecrated to Freedom, by statute
and by cOmpact-this immense region, the
Bill now before the Senate, ithout reason
and without excuse, but in fragrant disregard
Of sound policy and sacred faith, proposes to
open 10 slavery.
The pre,ences, therefore, that TIE Terrific.
ry, covered by the positive prohbitation of
1920, sustans similar relation to slavery
with that acquired from Mexico, covered by
no prohibition exceo. that OF dispute Cou-
stltuional or Mexican Law, and that the
Compromises of 1850 req ire the incorpora-
ton pro-slavery clauses of the Utah and New
Mexico Bill in the Nebraska Act, are mere
inventions, designed to cover up from public
reprehen>i1n Inedtated bad faith. Were he
living now, NO one would be more forward,
more eloquent, or more indignant, in his de-
nunciation of that faith than Henry CLAY,
the foremost champion Of both Comprcm-
Uses.
In 1920, the Slave States said to the Free
States, admit Missouri with slavery, and
refrain from positive exclusion south of IS
deg 80 min., and we will join you i'm perpet-
nal prohlbitation north of that line" The
Free States consented. In 1854, the Slave
States say TO the Free States, "Misouri is
admitted, no piohibtaiion of slavery south of
SO deg. 80 min. has been attempted: we have
received the full consideration Of our acree.
meni; no more is to be gained by adherence
TO It on our part; we therefore propose TO
cancel the compact"
Ii this be not Punic faith, what is it, Not
without the deepest dshonor and crime can
Free States acquesce in this demand.
We confess our total inability properly to
delneatc the character or describe the con-
sequences of this measure. Language fails
to express the sentiments ofindiSnation and
adherence which it inspires; and no vision
less penetrating and comprehensive than
that oil the Al-seeng, can reach its evil is
sues.
To some Of its more immediate and newt
able consequences, however, we must at.
tempt 10 direct your attention.
| What ill be the effect of this measure.
should it unhappily become law upon the
proposed Pacific Railroad! We have ALREADY
said that two Of the principal routes, the Cen
trail and the northern traverse this Territory. |
If slavery be allowed there, the settlement,
and cultivation of the country must be great
ly retarded. inducements to the immigration
of free laborers vii! be almost DESTROYED. The
enhanced cost Of construction and the dimin.
ished expectation of profitable returns will
pes mt almost insuperabie obstacles to bull.
ding the road al all; while even if made. The
difficulty and expense of keeping it up, in
country from which the energetic and intel.