Washington sentinel., 1854-06-17
REPEAL.-THE NATIONAL INTELLI-
GENCER.

Since the Nebraska bill has passed, our ven-
cradle neighbor Of the National L,telligencer
refuses to be comforted. It is too dignifed to
shed womanly tears 1t has too much respect
ability todeal in scurrilous imputations and in
scandalous assaults on those who voted for the
bill. 1t has set to work in q grave, quiet, but
determined manner to bring discredit and
odium on that bill, and on all who are friendly
to it. 1t quotes with grave complacency and
dignifed delight all that it can find in contem-
porary journals against the bill. In its issue
of yesterday, it copies short article from the
Cleveland Herald, giving an account Of an in
formal vote taken in promiscuous company
of $50 or 200 persons, somewhere in Illinois
on the Nebraska bill, which resulted in unani-
nous declaration against it. The LatelRgencer
also refers with evident delight to the nomina-
ton Of Hon. Augustus Drum (anti- Nebraska)
for reelection to Congress over Judge Todd,
who declared in favor Of Nebraska. Now,
what does all this mean?
The great argument used by the Intelligencer
against that measure, before it became law
of the land, was, that it would produce agita-
tion and excitement By parity Of reasoning
the Iatelligencer should now cease its opposi-
ton. It should acquiesce. Itshould not seek
to disturb the repose of the country and pre-
vent the peaceful and prosperous operation Of
the law. The effect Of its course can only be
to foment discontents and discord, and to aid
and strengthen those bold, bad men who raised
the cry of repeal even before the bill became
. law.
One grave and important question naturally
presents itself here and that is-does the hatelli-
gencer join in the cry Of repeal which has been
raised by the Tribune and by its freesoil allies?
Does it mean to enlist in the crusade against
the Nebraska bill, under the black flag of all
the asn,s in the country We have such con-
fdence in that digni6ed and able journal that
we are almost willing to answer that question
in the negative. But yet why should it suffer
itself to give aid and encouragement to those
~inen? Why should it furnish them with weap-
ons from its own armory? Why should it help
them to facts and to arguments7
Lie NeDTdSkd Dill Is the law VI the lanu
The Lntelligencer is a law-loving journal, and it
behooves it to give up its opposition and to ac-
quiesce in that measure. 1t should help to stop
and not to increase agitation.
In this connection we give the following para.
graph from the Boston Atlas of the 18th inst.
The first instalment of the signatures to
the Boston memorial praying for the repeal Of
the fugitive slave law, has been taken from the
Merchants Reading Room, and has been for
warded to Mr.. Rockwell, our newly-appointed
senator. 1t contained t,oo thousand nine hun
dred names, including all our best and largest
commercial houses. 1t measures ffty-6ye feet
in length, of double row Of names.'
Now if our respected contemporary, the In
teligencer, is opposed to agitation and opposed
to repeal, it should at once throw in its infn-
ence against the mad movement indicated in
the above extract. If, however, it approves
that movement, it should come out and frankly
say SO. We feel solicitous to know the precise
opinions Of the Intelligencer on the question of
repeal.