The daily union., 1854-02-10
From the Detroit Free Press, Feb S.
The Great Question.

We have, during few days back, occupied consdera-
BILE OF available space with discussions OF the terrific
nal question: which for time TO come will probably
engros large share othe deliberations OF Congress, and
excite public attention throughout the country. We
hope in issue TO be able 10 give the opening
speech Of Senator Douglas the quesion--an effort
thai certainly elaboracs and llumines the subject
TO make il PLAIN to every mind, and carry conviction 10
such not blinded by prejudice, warped by fanati
cism, or controlled by The instincts OF demagogusm.
1t is not strange that the northern whg and abolition
journals have attempted 10 foresia public opinion, and
popular expression agans, the bill reported by the
Senate Committee Territories. The latter OF these ex-
ist upon agitation, and could not osg survive without il
and to the former The occasion offered opportunity,
they doubtless hoped and believed. when furor nigh,
be raised against the Administrations and the democratic
party thrown into state of distraction. As usual how.
ever they have calculated without their host They had
obviously forgotten, il they have understood the fact
that the main body OF the democratic party in all the
northern States is bound together by The strong band of
principles, aad that of the panes OF these principles
is the acknowledgment OF the right of the people in every
State and Territory of this Union 10 govern themselves
II Congress has no constitutional power TO impose re-
strictons upon Territories which II cannot enforce after
such Territories admitted States, there can be no
difficulty in settling the present question. The issue
simply s-shaI Nebraska and Kansas be organized in
the same manner Utah and New Mexico, and The
principles of The Compromise OF 1850 be adhered to OF
shall Congress seek impose restrictions or to preserve
such already imposed and thus be guilty OF partial
legislation Shall the Territories all be treated alike, OF
shall Congress undertake 10 sanction slavery in some Of
them, and forbid il IN othersi
We stand, we have before declared on the consli
tuona ground We say that Congress has not the ss h
power slavery angoheu 1t can no more create
slavery than il abolish it; legisale for
than against IT, Hence. when Congress, by the Missouri
Compromise act, said that slavery might exist south of
line which it drew the territory ceded by France
to the United States, did wha, had no more night Il
do than il has to say that slavery may exist in Ohio OF
Michigan.
| Now, Mr, Douglass bill recognises this principle, ant
it because does So because II refuses congressional
sanction to slavery anywhere, that the wings and abo
,iooss, 10 and out Of Congress- conederatng agans
| IT.
II the principle mbodied in Mr. Douglass bill was MOI
settled by The compromise measures of Is5o-and VIC
contend that il wss-it cannot be settled too soon Abo-
tonism cannot be crushed ou" until it is settled Un
VI uNOfteu IRON all cOnneNt0n
with slavery, agitation 10 the halls OF the national legs
ature will not Until Congress absains from draw
ing black lines between slave and free territory there will
be no end to heart burnngs between the North and the
South.
We thus put the whole question on principle. But il
there was no principle nvoved--i Congress possessed
all power in the premisestherc would be danger in
abrogaing the acknowledgements line, for aavry
wiH go north Ill II cannot live north OF IT, The
climate against slavery there, and The inhabitants will
De against IT, And all this is perfectly well known TO
those abolition confederass in Congress who seeking
to convuse the country with agitation.
We are grateful TO Mrs Garrett Anderson for having
very kindly furnished with number OF the latest
pieces OF music, Mrs A. has arranged to receive BY
express as soon az published all the late and fasbona
BILE music for the piano and harp We acknowledge the
receipt OF Rosebud Polka" "Snow fake Seo,iisch.
"Good for Nothing Polka" "We Coming, Sister
Mary" Little Kay's Voice. well as several other
choice pieces Of music.
Messu. Hilbus Hiz viii also please accept our
thanks for several new pieces Of music, including among
The lot. "Bleak House." ''Onoe Year" and 'Giii
Polka" 84NtM N