Daily national era., 1854-06-07

counictnB interests anu opinions We nave Detn
ready to waive the legal qucstiou, and 10 obide h
/ully by IFS terms. If have studied the Southern
sentiment correctly t.s has been tho view takon of
the Missouri Compromise in that division OF tho
Union
But Mr. Dixon's amendment may serve to stir up
excitement on side, whilst Mr. Summers will
effect the like object the other; and, Whigsm
and Abolitionsm have nothing TO gain and nothing
to icse, the upshot may he that the agitation may
inuro to tho benefit Of tho common opposition TO tho
Democratic party. Prudence 1,atriofisaa droion 10
The Union, he interest Of ths Democratic yayfy, all
suggest that the public sentiment which now acqu
esces cheesiully in the principles of the compromise
OF 1850 should not bo sderatey disturbed The
triumphant election Of President Pierce shows that
on this basis the hearts and the judgments of tho
people are with the Democracy. We mny venture 10
suggest that it is well worthy Reconsideration wheh
n faithful adherence to the creed which has been
SO trumphanty endorsed by the People does not re-
qure all good Democrats to hesitate and reflect ma
tureiy upon any proposition which any member OF
our party object to Interpolation upon that
creed. In word it would he wise in all Democrats
to consider whether it would not be safest to LET
WELL ENOUGH ALONE" To repeal tho Missouri
Compromise might and, according to view, would
clear the principle of Congressional intervention
OF NIL embarrassment; but we doubt whether tho
good thus promised is important that it would be
wise to seek it through tho agitation which necessa
rily stands In our path Upon a calm review Of the
whole ground yet sec such reasons for disturb
ing tho compromise of 1850 rs could induce 10
advocate either Of the amendments proposed to Mr..
Douglass bill"
Such, | say, sir, were the sentiments OF the
leaders of the Administration in 1854; for the
editor of the Union, Mr. NICHOLSON, and the
Senator from Illinois, Mr.. DouGLAs,l are the
leaders of the Administration party. The opin-
ions of the former are echoed and re-echoed by
every newspaper in the employment OF the Gov
ernment, SO far rs know, without an exception.
He is gentleman of more ability than many OF
a az nrt Al h..c
ably controls, more powerful than the President
in the formation of public sentiment.
The Senator from Illinois Mr.. DOUGLAS has
been for long time the hope and pride Of Young
America; and so confident are his friends that he
will soon be more than "heir apparent to the
succession" ! doubt not some official expectants
are now considering the mode and manner OF dis
tributing the spols.
| say, sir, such were the sentiments of these
leaders of the administration party in January,
1854 took my stand with them then, and
shall not desert my position noac.
Sir, when, on the 18th Of January last, Mr..
DOUGLAS made his report against the repeal Of
the Missouri Compromise, ! took my position with
him. When, on the 10th of the same month, Mr..
Dixon, n Wing Senator, offered his amendment,
proposing to repeal that Compromise, ] entered
my protest against the movement And when,
on the goth of January Mr.. NICHOLSON took
ground, in the columns OF the Union, against Mr..
DNoNs amendment, | endorsed the views of Mr.
NICHOLSON, and now appeal to my colleague
from the Mauray district whom see in his seat,
TMr. GEORGE w. JONES, and with whom | have
conversed more upon this subject than with any
other member of this body if from the beginning
of this controversy have not uniformly held to
the views presented by Mr.. DoUGLAs in his report,
and to what | supposed, at the time, were the
sentiments of the Administration expressed by
Mr.. NICHOLSON in his newspaper; and further, if
did not, from the first, express my disapprobation
of the proposition of Mr. DIXON?
MIR. GEORGE w. JONES The facts are that
way.
MIR. ETHERIDGE Sir, / knew my colleague
who has a reputation for three things, regard for
truth, guardianship over the Treasury, and fealty
to his party-would not fail to do me justice
[Gaughter But, sir, | am now required TO
abandon my position for the benefit of the Ad-
ministration, when ! refused to do it for a mem
ber of my own party. This, sir, will NEVER DO,
until reason convinces me that am wrong. But
they (NIcHoLsoN and DoUGLAs) are both at this
time loud, snd seemingly earnest in their advo-
cacy of the repeal OF the Missouri Compromise,
and some of their friends and followers declare
that those who still adhere to the opinions they
have so-recenty abandoned are to be regarded as
opposed to the true interests of the South. | do
not think So | believe those gentlemen were
right four months ago, when they opposed re-
peal of the Missouri Compromise Meth of
them have attempted 10 answer the arguments they
respectively urged at that time agdu,st the repeal
They cannot do
Now may be regarded by some as guilty Of
an attempt to impugn the motives of eminent
gentlemen, who have thus suddenly changed po-
sition upon great public question. Such, sir,
is not my purpose. They are, perhaps, much
Al. az a. a
sudden change; but it should make them, their
followers and admirers, more charitable to those
who like myself, still stand firm in the faith they
recently protested.
But il is needless, and think improper, 20 say
more of those gentlemen to whom have referred,
for, sir here at this time, and in this Hall, and
within the sound of my voice, those who
cupy no better position. In fact, think they
will have more difficulty than any others in ma
king the people believe in the sincerity good
sense Of their present zeal for the repeal OF the
act of 1920.
should be pleased to hear some gentlemen
who were members Of the last Congress meet the
point will now make: II is said by some that
the Missouri Compromise was superseded by the
legislation Of 1850 by others, that il was intended
to be; and by another portion, that il ought to
have been.
Now, at the last Congress, which closed its
labors the 4th Of March, 1853, the House of Rep
resentatyes passed, by very large vote, bill to
organize this same Territory Of Nebraska, which
was lost in the Senate, for want of time to con-
slider il. That bill said not one word about
Slavery, or the repeal of the Missouri Compro-
mise. There are about fifty members here now,
who were of the last Congress. Many of them
voted for the bill which passed this House in
February, 1853. The question which | wish an
swered when | take my scat is this Why did
you not, when the bill was under consideration
at the last Congress, propose by amendment or
in some way, to declare the Missouri Compromise
imperative and void, or to repeal it2
You cannot say it was overlooked or forgotten,
for the following scene and debate occurred in
the House of Representatives on the sth Of Feb
ruary, 1853. The present chairman OF the Com
mittee Territories had the floor and yielded il
for but moment He and the House were bound
to have heard what followed:
Mr.. JoHN w. HOWE. | wish to inquire Of the
MI NJ 4 vho 4 -,