Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-05-16
THE NEBRASKA pRocEED1Nes.

L Wefeel that we may congratulate the friends
of the Nebraska and Kansas bill. The pro-
ceedings in the House Of Representatives fur
nish some foundation for the hope that direct
vote may be obtained during this week and
there can be no doubt as to the character Of
that vote whenever it may be taken.
The friends of the Nebraska and Kansas
bill command a decided majority. That fact
has been apparent from the beginning, but
thus far, factious minority has stopped the
wheels Of legislation. 1t acted under the inn
pulse Of reckless and revolutionary feelings,
which could not be curbed by considerations
Of justice and propriety.
On Friday night, the majority consented to
an adjournment, under the belief that some
arrangement could be made with the minority,
by which the course of legislation might be
brought into the usual channels. On Satur-
day an adjournment was again agreed to for
the same reason.
Yesterday, Mr.. Richardson, Of Illinois, the
chairman of the Territorial Committee, moved
that the debate on the Nebraska and Kan
sas bill be closed on Friday next, at twelve
o'clock. This proposition would have given
those who pretended to desire further discus
sion ample time to submit their views. But
it was not accepted by them, for they imme-
diately assailed it with the same species of war
fare they employed during the last week, thereby
proving that they were actuated by factious
motives, and that the desire for discussion was
put forward as cheat to mislead and deceive
the public. When this became apparent, many
of those who had before voted with the factious
minority were convinced Of the true character
of their associates, and aided in the attempt to
make progress with the public business.
Mr.. Richardson modified his resolution SO as
to stop debate on Saturday next, at noon, and
to postpone the Pacific railroad bill for one
week In order to present the resolution thus
modified, q suspension Of the rules was neces-
sary, and that could only be accomplished bya
two-thirds vote. But the rules were suspended,
there being one hundred and thirty-seven yeas
to sixty-six nays. Subsequently, Mr.. Richard
sons resolution was divided, and the vote was
taken separately, on the proposition to close the
debate on Saturday, and the proposition to-
postpone the consideration of the Pacific rail
road bill. The first branch of the motion was
carried by vote Of one hundred and fourteen
to fifty-nine, and the second by vote Of one
hundred and twenty three to fifty-three
These votes show how much fanaticism has
weakened itself by the reckless course it has
pursued, and the malign passions it has ex-
hibited. But yetwe cannot give our readers any
assurance that the Nebraska bill will be passed
during the week. 1t is true that the opportu-
nifty for further debate SO strenuously demand
ed has been granted; but then, every observer
of common intelligence and attention must
know that the demand was not made in good
faith, but was put forward as mere arti6ce to
blind and mislead the people. 1t is true that
period has been fixed beyond which the Ne
braska debate cannot continue, but still there
is ample room left, under the complex and
complicated rules of the House of Representa-
lives, for factious men to obstruct legislation
and defeat the will Of the majority.
1t is to be hoped, however, that the faction
lists, having driven off by theirviolence thosewho
have been acting with them, will now come
to their senses. 1t would be an insufferable
outrage for handful Of evildisposed persons
to arrest the public business. Up to yesterday
fanaticism had allies. We trust that those
allies are now thoroughly Disguised with their,
freesoil and abolition associates. If they are,
and will act promptly and theoretically, the
forces Of the minority will be so reduced, that
they will scarcely have the audacity to renew
the disgracefnl enterprise in which they have