Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-01-28
HOW THE PRESENT BILL Has BEEN MATURED.

HOW THE PRESENT BILL HAS BEEN MATURED.
The Nebraska Bill, originally introduced by
Mr.. Douglas did not formally or directly touch
the question Of Slavery in the Territory, during
its territorial condition, but several provisions
in it, interpreted in the light of the principles
laid down in the Report contemplated the ex-
istence of Slavery among the inhabitants, and
conveyed the implication that the Missouri
Compromise was no longer in force. 1t was
doubtless hoped that the measure would be
satisfactory to the Slave Power, without greatly
offending the mass Of the Democratic Party at
the North; and should it receive the sanction
Of Congress, its prominent authors would be
lauded for the sagacity and tact with which
they had steered between extreme opinions,
and prevented sectional conflict; and they
would probably secure to themselves the leader
ship of the Democracy.
We predicted at the time that the Bill was
not quite up to the demands of the Slave Inter-
est, and that amendments would probably be
proposed This prediction was founded upon
Shareholders, and upon view Of the division
in the Administration Party into two factions
one Of which was anxious to destroy the other,
and could devise no surer means Of accom-
plishing this, than by getting up an extreme
pro-slavery test, to separate, in the language Of
one Of its organs, between the goats and the
Sheep
We were not mistaken. Southern newspa.
pers began to express discomfort with the Bill ;
and the Sentinel" the organ Of the Hardsp
intimated that the rights Of the South ought
not to be left to implication. II there was q
doubt as to the real meaning Of the Bill, it
should be removed. Accordingly, an amend.
mont, in tho form Of supplemental section,
which had been omitted through I" a clerical
error" was reported and published declaring
that g all questions pertaining to Slavery in the
Territories and in the new States to be formed
therefrom, are to be left to the decision Of the
people residing therein, through their appropri-
ate representatives"
This certainly would satisfy the South, and
IL was hoped that an article which appeared in
"the organ about the same time, speaking Of
the Missouri Compromise as being yet in force,
although it imposed only Gan honorary obi
CATION" might prevent any general opposition
on the part Of the Administration party at the
North.
IL was hard task--this endeavor to recon.
cile contradictions--no easier than for q camel
to 20 through the eye Of a needle-and yet one
which nearly all our politicians have attempted.
That It did not succeed in this case, was owing
to no want Of zeal or adroitnoss in the perform
ers
The Slave Interest was keen-sighted enough
to see, that there was still room for doubt
that the courts might hold that positive act
OF Congress, partakng Of the nature Of a COM
pact a part Of which had been fulfilled, and q
part Of which remained yet to be fulfilled,
could not be set inside by an implication. And
those slsveholdcrs who favored the Hardsn
evidently apprehcnded that the test was not
strong enough to try the fidelity Of the Softs?'
after all, they might accept it, retain their hold
upon the Administration, and then explain
everything away, as they had done in relation
TO the Baltimore platform.
In the struggle between the men Of Gilesd
and the men Of Ephraim for the mastery, they
had great difficulty 10 knowing one from the
othcr--they we're so much alike, and, besides,
the GiIeadites were said to be fugitves Of
Ephraim among the Ephraimtes and among
the Manassites At last, the Gileadtes took the
passage OF the Jordan before the Ephraimites,