The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-09-07
TIE BRIGHT SIDE.

A correspondent in OHIO wrose us an excel
lent communication while the Nebraska Bill
wGs under consideration but, like many other
good things, it was crowded out. He gave the
dark AMI bright side of the prospect. Let US
look at the Bright Side as no presented it
then.-Ed. Era.
ONO, February %, 1854.
In common with the mass of the Northern
people, the undersigned felt, OF first astonished
and COMPOUNDED at the audacity of this pre-
ject; grieved at the iDiqnity sought to be per-
petrated; surprised that not one Southern man
in Congressman even Clayton, Bell Peerce, or
BACKGROUND nerve himself to oppose and
expose that which must prove 80 disastrous to
the South.
"The bill will pass :" so say the papers.
"The North offers us this temptation" say
Southern Senators and Representatives, " and
we accept" Oh most false plea But be il
so. Let us see whether the matter has not a
bright side.
Ist The Northern sentiment is overwhelm-
ingly opposed to it. Who can doubt it Not
only the independent Democratic but the
Wing presses almost unanimously oppose it.
1t is very significant that even many of the
Administration papers here in the North at
first uttered their sentiments of disspproval. 1t
is easy to see that very few waves of North
eTn sentiment will sweep from our national
councils all the o. ointment Northern men that
aid in passing this bill. | doubt very much
whether single Northern man Of prominence,
that speaks or votes for this bill, will be found
in Congress six years hence.
81 Had even few Of the Southern Wing
Senators Or Representatives made stand in
favor Of the Right, the old parties might have
been preserved 1t could then have been seid
that this was carried as party measure, and
that the Southern people could not be justly
held responsible. But with united front on
tho part Of tie Representatives Of the South, IL
must and will be regarded as the deliberate
act of the whole Southern people. However il
may be with the Administration party, the
Wig party at the North will cease to act in
favor of COMPROMISES with the South. "There
will not be another National Convention" ex
claims the New York Tribune, with its 80, 00t
subscribers; and this sentiment cannot bt
withstood if even political leaders would have
it so. That man must be blind, indeed, who
supposes that the mass of the Administration
party, even at the North, will support those
who carry out this act, which is regarded al
reasonable to the North, to Right, and t
Pighted Faith These men will assurediJ
soon be laid in their political graves.
3D.. Not only so-we of the North will re
gard this as an example of the rePeGiGbiltty O
all mere prudential MEASURES Of compromise
This very bill repeats the Missouri Compro
miss and violates that of 1880; and is does
this on the ground of going back to "PRINcr
PIES" i. o, the principles Of the last compro
mise
4th Then oil compromise measuresn ar
repsaLabie; not only legally SO, but morally aat
Eonorably, the South itself being Judge
5th. "PRINcIPLEs!" All, we thank Sens
tor Douglas for that word. We have faithful,
held to all the compromise measures" from
motives of expedienCy; but DOW the North