Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-03-18
EATIOAL INTELLIGENCER.
HE NEBRASKA BILL.


BY late mas we have received letters from diff
ferent quarter on the subject Of the debatablt
question contaled in the Nebraska Territorial Bill
One of these, -om highly respectable gentleman
of the North, have already given to our readers
We now preset to them letter from the opposite
quarter of the compass, expressing sentiments di,
rectly the revese of the other. Although dissent
ing from the VIEWS which we have already taken of
the same subject, its calmness and frankness will
commend it to those who may not altogether agree
with the writer:
JEFFERSON County, b1Iss.) FEB. "a, 1854
70 the Editors afhe National Intelhgencv:
GENTLEMEN. have long been subscriber to your
valuable paper and hail its arrival and peruse its
tents with great pleasuregreater may say than that
OF any other publication I receive With but few
sepons have nearly always had the honor Of concdng
with you your political views and when Of these
exceptions does feel somewhat inclined to doubt
my convictions when compared with your long expe
rienoe and superior knowledge in the affairs Of Gov
srnment
Ny earliest political knowledge was formed from the
pages of your journal My boyhood days were spent in
your immediate vicinity, and often, with satchel in hand
have passed your Office to the school where received
u my childhood enjoying the quiet and leisure Of agri
ssural pursuits without office desire for political dis
tncton think take calm and dispassionate
view Of the great questions which affect the prosperity of
snr glorious Union.
We have the report here that the Nebraska bill has
passed the Senate and in all probability it will pass the
House and become law. have read with deep interest
she debates in Congress- also the opinions Of others
Uel as your editorials upon this subject and would
WISH with due deerenceto the weight your arguments
but differing with you in the conclusions to which you
arrive, to offer few general remarks upon subject
which has interested and continue to interest the
American mind.
The chief points in your objection to the passage Of
This bill appear be founded upon your opinion of the
nsoiable of the Missouri compromise and the ap
prehension Of excitement which discussion must occasion
Now we Of the South find it difficult to what rights
violated by removing restriction doing injustice to
section Of the country The very word restriction,
used this connexion implies curtament of our rights
and it is conceded that have equal rights with
Arshren Of the North cannot the virtue of
promise at all respecting the right go not to go into
ths Territories with property. We have de-
sired any restrictions to be placed upon the emigration
Of Northern friends either into the Territories the
Southern States Where, then is the justice equality
in the opposite views entertained by them The fact
that the Missouri compromise sustained by Southern
votes is in my opinion, argument for its defence. At
that time Southern gentlemen could not foresee the
tent to which the agitation of the slavery question would
be carried the necessity of remaining firm in resisting
encroachments upon their rights; but, moved by patri
otto feelings and spirit of conciiaon they cheerfuly
accepted the best they could get The times also and
the position of the country essentially different then
from what they Would not the whole country
18th 80
Congress resist the admission of State the simple
ground that she tolerated slavery in her constitution
But what the effect of the Missouri compromised It's
influence upon the South like thorn in the flesh,
which, being constantly rritated by Northern encroach
mcns kept fostering until it seemed about destroy
life in 1850, when very much relieved but not
trely cured. And now, when it is proposed to effect
radical Of this canker upon the dypoitc great
hne and cry is raised by the very class of who OPP
posed all compromise and told in address sent
forth to name the masses, that it is gross violation
OF sacred pledge" Z" criminal betrayal of precious
rights, and arocious plot will not characterize
this address it deserves it has been cha
xscterzed in Congress- but must say that look upon it
fit counterpart to the romance of Mrs. Stowe and
believe it viii have similar effect upon the enlightened
portion of country 1t does really strike with
surprise how gentlemen occupying such high positions can
ioeo biSnt VI tncI own CAilhs
The country at large has upon them and be led away by
their prejudices upon the question of slavery
Their constituents must surely have been mistaken in the
capacity of these men.
But to return to the controversy distinguished Sem
ator from Massachusetts, upon whom the mantle Of the
immortal Webster appears to have fallen after declaring
his firm belief that slavery exist in these Ter
rtoes asks the question, Why do Southern gentlemen
insst upon the removal Of this restriction? If, he
thinks the real advantages all on the side of tho
free States might not with greater proprety ask him
and those who think with him why do they oppose the
passage Of this bill Anticipating the answer, would
again ask, compact DO sacred inyolable which
Ii formed in and based upon wrong.
The fact is, Messrs. Editors, contending for
principle principle dear to rights, dear to very
existence coequals with the North and, unless this
safety of the Union. am alarmist; love my
Try and have an abiding faith in the good and pa
friotsm OF my countrymen; but this question is not
settled now it will continue to be source Of irritation
and crisis may come ut future period when the
patience Of the South will be exhausted and forbearance
will cease to be virtue.
From whence comes all this agitation upon the slavery
question Is the sin be laid at the door of the South
because they endeavor to obtain their just rghts Con-
gress this Nebraska bill has been under discussion
has been flooded with petitions and memorials resou-
mass meetings. Do they come from the South that has
every thing stake, from the North who has really
interest in the matter. The South is comparatively