The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-10-19
From the New York Tribune.
A REVELATION.

4
Gen. David R. Atohison, United Statos SEN
ator from Missouri, and President Of the Sen
ate, is tho leader Of the Slavery Propaganda in
that body. he originally opposed the organi-
zstion OF Nebraska INCLUDING kansasl on the
sole and avowed ground that tho Missouri
Compromise excluded Slavery therefroni, and
| he was unwilling TO have that region opened
| to settlement until that restriction could bo
repealed; but this position he waived during
the session of 1928, because ho was satisf
ed that the restriction was fixed fact, end
could not be broken down Nevertheless, tho
bill failed at that session. bat Was renewed last
winter, with q sheer in favor of Slavery, which
eventually developed itself into full-blown
repeal Of tho Restriction, in which shape Is
was enacted
Gen Atchison resides on the western border
OF Missouri and wants to be reelected By the
newly chosen Legislature, if possible. OF
oourso, he is good deal "around," and was
In attendarcs at sale of lots on the 2Oth nit,
at Atchison City" on the Kansas side Of the
Missouri river, a few miles above Weston.
Finding a largo crowd Of Nissourians in at
tendance, General Atchison improved the oc-
casion by making them a speech, whereof The
ParkUtis Lumindry of the 26sh reports the
substance as follows:
"Gen. Atchison mounted an old wagon ard
made a speech. He commenced by abiding
to tho beautiful country which was now begin
ming to be settled-to some Of the crcumstan-
oes under which Territorial Government was
organized-apd in the course of his remarks
mentioned how Douglas came TO introduce the
Nebraska bill with the repeal clause in it.
Senator A. ssid that, for himself he is entirely
devoted to the interests of the South, and that
ne would sacrifice everything but his hopo of
heaven to advance her welfare. lie thought
the Missouri Compromise ought to be repealed;
ne had pledged himself in his public addresses
to vote for no Territorial organization that
would not annul it; and with this feeling in
bus heart he desired to be chairman of the
Senate Committee on Territories when bill
was to be introduced. With this object 10 view,
no had private interview with Mr. Douglas,
and informed him Of what he desired-tho in
troduction Of bill for Nebraska, like what no
mad promised TO veto for, and that he would
like to DO chairman Of the Committee on Ter
ritories, in order TO introduce such o measure;
and, II ne could got that position, he would
immediately resign as Speaker of the Senate.
Judge Douglas requested tt0enty four hours 10
consider the matter, and said if as the expira-
ton of that time, be could not introduce such
bill as ne (Mr. Atchison) proposed. which
would at the same time accord with ME own
sense of right and justice to the South, no
would resign as chairman of the Territorial
Committee in Democratic caucue, and exert bis
influence TO get him (Atchison) appointed. At
the expiration of the given time, Senator Doug
Las Egnifed his intention to report such bill
as had been spoken of.
"Gen. Atchison next spoke of those who had
supported and those who had opposed the bill
in the Senate, and remarked that Northern
Democrats came up nobly to the work, bot
that Northern Wings had proved rccreant to
thA 81 .x1k...
he said, acted as they should have done, With,
he was sorry to say, two exceptions. a voice
in the crowd here called out Bell and Hous-
ton! Yce, he said, these we're the mon-one
Wing and ono Democrat-both aspirsnts for
the Presidency; but, poor, miserable dsU'lS, they
had mado a falso step, and hO might sey now
he (Atchison) had fairer chance for mat high
honor than either of them The American
people loved honesty, and could appreciate the
acts of a man who openly and sboveboard
voted according to the will Of his constituents,
without regard to political favor.
"SenatOr Atchison next alluded TO the Sla-
very question, as il is now being sgisated in
our community, and closed by expressing bis
profound contempt for Abolitionists and their
Vaccinations; and said that, if he mad his way,
ho would hang every one that dared show his
face here In reference, however, TO Northern
men settling in Kansas Territory he said be
knew there woro sensible, honest right-foeliug
men among them, who would be as far from
stealing a negro as Southern man would,
and his remarks applied only to avowed Abo-
htionists.
Such is glance at some OF the points in
Senator Atchison's speech"
We ask all who are inclined to believe that
Douglass Nebraska bill was not an extraor-
binary measure, but is q legitimate consequences
Of the Compromise of 1850, TO ponder these
revelations. Did Douglas believe the Missouri
Restriction superseded by the later Compromise
His speeches say he did what say his acts
Hear General Atchison, and judge.