Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-02-25
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1854.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1854.
One of the evils which we feared, and which in
spred much Of the regret we felt at the proposition
to repeal the Missouri Compromise was the renewal
of sectional agitation, so happily Gained down by
the tranquzing measures of adjustment three years
AGO, and the new life and zeal it would inlpart to
the fanatica spirit Of abolitionism in the North,
which had virtually died out, retained vitality
and strength enough only to plague one political
party by joining the other. As we feared, the mis-
chievous spirit is rallying its forces, with the
advantage of more plausible pretexts than formerly
Immense meetings have been held in Boston Of
Abolitionists, Freesoilers, and the "Free Demo-
cracy'' to denounce the Nebraska bill, of which
meetings all that we shall say of them is that
speeches were made of the most fierce and denun-
catory character both Of the illustrious dead and
the eminent living. We are well aware that this
violence inspires in the opposite section Of the Union
only feeling of scorn or hatred; but it is not the
less to be deplored that account The malevolent
spirit was harmless, if not defunct. The country,
throughout its vast extent and in all its borders,
was at peace. Would it not have been far better
to leave this happy condition undisturbed by fol-
lowing the wise adopted by the Committee on
Territories, when, in its report to the Senate it
said:
" Your committee do feel fhemselves called upon enter
o the discussion Of these coatropered questions. They
'Oous the graue issues hich produced the agitation, the
sectional strife and e earul struggle Of 1850. As Con-
eREss DEEMED WISE AND PRUDENT TO REFRAIN FROM
80
affirming or repeating the Mexican laws, or by act
decaraory of the intent of the Constitution and the
protection afforded by the slave property
sin the Territories comMIrTEE PREPARED
NOW TO RECOMMEND DEPARTURE FROM THE COURSE PuR-
SUED THAT MEMORABLE OCCASION EITHER AFFIRM
fING 8TH SECTION Missouri ACT,
by any act decaratory of the meaning of the Cons
tuition in respect to the legal points in dispute"
Or, still more, by the wise course advocated by
the Union itself up to date as late the Goth Of
joined extract from that paper:
FROM UNION OF JANUARY 20.
1.-THE MISSOURI CoMPRoMIsE-We have expressed our
cordial approval of the bill introduced by Mr. Douglas
providing Territorial Government for Nebraska. Two
propositions have been made in the senate-one by Sen
ator Dixon, Wing, and the other by Senator Sumner
IN Abotionis-w indicate that the BILL proposed
by Mr.. Douglas is to be vigorously assacd Mr.. DIXON
proposes amend it By clause expressly repeating me act Of
182O commonly known the Missouri Compromise. Mr..
Sumner proposes amend it expressly declaring that
the Missouri compromise is to continue in force.
We have never yielded to the Missouri Compromise
any other obligatory force than that which attaches to
solemn covenant entered into by two opposing parties for
the preservation of To such consda
tos hare felt bound 10 yield ready an acquiesence as
the Compromise The av of The land, not only IN orm
but in substance and reality Viewed legal question,
we should be constrained to pronounce it unsusained by
constitutional authority viewed rs the cvIdence OF
compromise Of conflicting interests and opinions we have
been ready to waive the legal question, and e h a
fully By its terms. Ir We HAVE STUDIED SOUTHERN
SENTIMENT CORRECTLY this has been the uiep taken Of the
Missouri Compromise IN that dipision Of The Union.
"PRuDENcE, PATRIOTISM, DEVOTION UNION, the
interest Of The Democratic party, all suggest that that pub
lie sentiment which acquiesces cheerfully in the
principles Of the Compromise Of 1850 should not be in
considerably disturbed The triumphant election of
President PIERCE shows that this basis the hearts and
the judgments Of the people with the Democracy. We
may to suggest that it is well worthy Of consde
ration whether faithful adherence the creed which
has been triumphanty endorsed by the PEOPLE does
require all good Democrats to hesitate and reflect mature
~ upon any proposition whct any member Of party
object Interpolation Upon hat creed In word, it
would be wise in oil Democrats consider whether 1t
would not be safest to LET WELL ENOUGH ALONE" I"
To Missouri COMPROMISE might and accord
ing view would clear the principle Of Congressional
non-intervention Of oil embarrassment but zee doubt
Ohetae the good thus promised inporsant that toouid
be to seek arogh the agitation soch necessarily stands
in our path. Upon calm review Of the whole ground,
yet see no such for disturbing the Compro-
mise Of 1860 rs COULD INDUCE US TO ADVOCATE
either Of the amendmentsproposed to Mr. Douglass bill
We regret to learn that the Hon. ROBERT
STRANGE, formerly Senator in Congress from