Washington sentinel., 1854-02-09

SKETCH OF THE NEBRASKA BILL.
ITS PROsPECTs--THE COURSE OF
PARTIES.
The bill for organizing the Territories of Ne
braska and Kansas, including the repeal of the
Missouri compromise, was so suddenly sprung
upon the country-there had been so little op-
porsunity for a comparison of opinion and con-
cert of action-that it was looked to with the
impossible to say who would be its friends, who
its opponents. There was vague idea in the
public mind that such bill would come up
before Congress. There was vague expecta-
ton that some action would be taken in refer
ence to the question of slavery. There was
dim but general apprehension that the strifes
of 1920 and 1850 would be renewed. But no
clear conception as to what shape the terrific
rial bill would assume, what would be its fea-
tures and provisions, or who would advocate
and who oppose it, had been formed. There
had been no arrangement, no organization, no
marshalling of forces. Such was the condition
Of affairs when Congress met. A territorial
committee was appointed in the Senate, COM
posed Of the following senators: Messrs. Doug
lassA Achairman,l Houston, johnson, Bell, Jones
of Iowa, and Everett.
They went quietly to work. Alive to the deli
cate nature of the subject, and conscious of the
responsibility resting on them, they set in sedu-
lousy and calmly to their abors. But few
weeks passed by before the result of their Ia
bors was presented to the Senate in the shape
of bill for organizing the Territory of Ne
braska. It was offered without pomp and
without parade. Dim apprehensions and gloomy
forebodings were at once relieved. Its mode
of settling the slavery question on just and
permanent basis was SO simple, so natural, so
right, that every man might well wonder that
it was not an invention of his own. 1t has un-
dergone searching examination. 1t has been
reconstructed by the committee, SO as to or
ganize two territories instead of one. Provi-
sions and clauses which admitted of doubt have
been SO changed, modified, and added to, as TO
place them beyond all doubt. In its present
shape, ii is perhaps as perfect as it can be
made.
This measure Of the committee must be re
garded as one of the best, boldest, and most
statesmanlike measures that has been origi-
mated in our country. If adopted, it will heal
o running sore. 1t viii restore the Constitu-
ton to its pristine purity. 1t will establish for
ever the doctrine Of congressional non-interven-
tion in regard to slavery, without which there
can never be peace, and brotherly love, and
confidence between the different sections of the
Union. 1t will, moreover, cover its projectors
and authors with unfading glory.
Within the last two weeks, the clouds and
darkness that hung about the subject are fast
disappearing. The moment the bill took a
distinct shape, its friends and its enemies began
to organize, not only in the two houses OF
Congress, but in the country. Now we begin
to see clearly what the prospect is. 1t is pretty
well ascertaned that all sound constitutional
State-rights democrats will support it. Blu,
one portion of that party, SO far as we are ad
yised, even hesitate about it. OF that portion
we speak in another article. We mean those
known as the softs"
Among the wings there are divisions and
disagreements. Some, we are glad to say, yield
to it cordial and unqualified support. Such
are the sound State-rights wings ofthe country,
who have no sympathies or af6nities with abo-
litionists and freesoilers. We yet know Of no
southern whig who opposes it. Of some, We
have, from ugly signs, serious apprehensions !;
but yet we are not altogether without hopes Of
their cooperation. The freesoilers boast that
the whole whig press Of the north has spoken
out against this BILL If so, and we fear it is, it
is high time that their brethren Of the south
should open their eyes and cease to cooperate
with them. To the credit Of the whg press of
the south, we can say that we have thus far
seen but one paper from that section that takes
ground against it. There may be others, but
they have escaped us. Some have spoken out
bravely. Some remain rs dumb as an oyster
and as mute as mice. We had hoped that our
venerable and respected neighbors Of the Intel
ligeacer would also have come to the rescue
They have, however, done otherwise. We regret
we deeply regret, that they have chosen to take a
different course. We indulge the hope that the
high charactera and eminent ability of fthat journal
will notbe successful in leading off those polii
cnns and journals that are wont to follow il
wherever it may direct its course.
PICK YOUR FLINTs AND TRY AGAIN.