Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-06-29
WASHINGTON, ID. C.
THURSDAY, JUNE 90, 1854.
THE GREAT DEBATE IN THE SENATE


densed but very graphic Slavehold'ng Sena
tors undertook, in their usual style, to brow
beat MIR Sumner; and Mr.. Pettib who mis-
represents Indiana, was impairment enough to
initiate them.
Yesterday tho debate was resumed, and Mr.
Sumner made a speech which has given an
unenviable immortality to Senators Butler and
Mason These gentlemen, mistaking the char
actor Of Mr., Sumner, had gone too far in their
rude and domneering department towards the
Senator, and his terrible rebuke and inveotive
will be likely to Put them on their guard here
after We shall publish tho speech 30 soon as
reported, which will make the gentlemen more
widely known than any Of their own efforts
THE ADMINISTRATION AND IT'S SUPPORTERS.
We see no indication of general DISPOSE
ton, among the leaders of what il styled the
Democratic party in the free States, to put the
claims of Freedom above Party and unite with
their fellow-cit.zsns Of other parties in a com
mon movement to turn back the tide of Sla-
very aggression. Having brought the present
Administration INTO power, they seem deter.
mined to sustain it during the rest Of its term,
as the bond Of union in an organization which
they regard al permanently dominant. With
the exception OF the mercenarics, the mere
soldiers Of fortune, the marketable men, al
ways ready 10 do the drtiest work for even
lees than Judas got for his treason, those lead
ers were drpleased at the introduction of the
Nebraska bill many Of them oEenly opposed
it come worked hard against it; few were
willing to hold up the Administration conspic
uousy az responsible for it, or to break with
it ON account of it and, since its passage, the
majority OF them evidently incline tacitly or
explicitly TO acquiesce in it, and continue their
support Of the Administration, as if it had
sianalzad itself by active conformity to Demo
cratic Principles, instead of uniform hostility
to them, and base submission TO a Class In
terest. Lot us recall few facts
10 Ono the leaders, whatever their private
sentiments, prevented any legislative expression
of opinion ON the Nebraska Bill, or the Pro-
Slavery policy of the Administration. 10 such
case, not to condemn was to approve. They
went still further, and secured the election of
Calhoun Pro-Slavery Senator, "a the successor
of MIR. Chase--a man who subsequently pro-
claimed himself an advocate Of the Bill.
In PENNSYLVANIA, they have attempted u
similar policy. Their Convention, held while
the Bill was under discussion in Congress- was
afraid to condemn or approve, fearing the PEG.
pie on one side, the President on the other.
And Its candidate for the ,ffce of Governor is
trying to carry out the same policy. But
nearly all the Administration members of Con-
gress from Pennsylvania, and nearly all the
Administration journals in that State, inclu-
ding those supposed to speak particularly the
sentiments of Mr.. Bigler, have given the Bill
their support.
In these two States the Administration
Party may now be regarded as committed
passed, and to the entire Pro-Slayery policy Of
the Federal Executive.
In CONNECTICUT, as wo know the leaders at
tempted to be very cunning, passing resolutions
in the State Convention, in favor Of all the
Compromises, including that Of 1920 and that
of 1880 but tho wooden nutmeg trick de-
ceived nobody The Democrats abandoned the
Administi alton Party, 40 that il was able TO
send little more than cofporaPs guard TO the
Legislature
la New HAMPSHIRE, il is true, they refused
TO make tho Bill test in the March election
some had the bardihood to assert that the
President was not in favor Of 1.-THE central
organ in Washington helped them in. their
game Of deception, by denying that il was TO
be considered an issue--the result was, the re-
turn of nominal Administration majority to
the Legislature. but, M it, proceedings thus
far prove, a real Anti Nebraska majority.
These arc specimens of the policy of the lead
ers Of the so-called Democratic Party or more
correctly, the Administration Party, before tie
passage Of tho Bill. 1t was insidious, evasivc
non-committal, or two faced, just to suit cir.
camstaDces.
But s,ner the passage Of the Bill, the leaders
generally have become holder, and now demand
positive appreciation, OF acquiesccnce, express or
tacit, according to circumstances. Aud the
Administration is everywhere busy, laboriDg to
sllsy discomfort and reconcile its supporters
to what, it rs now said, must be regarded as
fact accomplished. Let the past be forgot
ten" il says. There shalt BIO no prescription
on account OF past opposition 10 the Bill pro
vided il now be qu city assented to. And, what
have you TO gain by further agitation lfyou
protraie us, where are you You cannot act
with the AbolIt'onists--you cannot expect any.
thing from tho whigs-you are not strong
enough to form an organization Of your own
Separate you selves from us, and you only put
power into the hands Of your old enemier, the
Whiga whose policy in regard to Slavery you
dielihc as much a. you do ours while 10 other
respects you agree with us, and disagree with
them. Make mp your mind, IL you cannot sane
ton what is done, at least to aequiosce in il,
and forbear further agitation. Thus shall We