Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-03-10
THE NEBRASKA BILL EMAsCULATED.

THE NEBRASKA BILL EMASCULATED.
Such is conception of the value and importance OF
the principle sought to be established by the NEBRASKA DILL
that would consent 10 the sacrifice Of any mere matter
detail in order to ils passage Beyond lhs' we
refuse co. especially do we protest against the
absurdy and Inconsistency OF purchasing the recognition
of one principle By the surrender of another Of equal
nude and consequence To act otherwise would Justly
subject US 10 the reproach of nconsiderae folly which
in the chase after one advantage of doubtful achieve
en sbandons others already In tho grasp Such conduct
would DISPLAY little of tho sobriey and conservatism OF true
craftsmanship.
In approving the Nebraska bill in the precise shape 10
which passed Senate apprehend the SCUM 10 COM
mitting folly Of this character.
The Nebraska bill only the recognition oil
principle All agree slavery cannot exist 10 the terrific
Of Kansas and Nebraska In consequence OF certain In
compatible conditions of soil and climate. II Is not there
fore because its effect In extending the sphere OF slavery
that tbs South advocates the repeal OF The Missouri esc-
ton bu, solely the that would Vndlca'e te
equality and sovereignty Of the States. The single aim OF
tho Nebraska bill establish the principle of Federal
non regardo slapcry. How then can this
bill consistently the power Of The Federal govern
men 10 annu law which, prevailing over tho territory al
the period of s acquisition, sanctions and establishes slave
r7 Yet this s precisely what one provision oil the OH uh
derakes accomplish Before the enactment o Inc MIS-
souri, restriction slavery existed in all tho territory compe
hended within the Louisiana purchase by virtue OF the
law of the colony The effect Of the enactment OF lo|c
was repeal this law and the legal effect OF the repea OF
the restriction would be revive the law recognizing ana
establishing slavery within the limits of the French pur-
chase In order 10 disarm opposition the Senate agreed
10 surrender the advantage which, by this operation the
South would acquire, and accordingly motion Of Mr.
Badger the bill was encountered with provision against
the revival of the old French law establishing slavery
Now we ask if this provision be- not inconsistent win
the intent and character of the b7 The object OF Inc Dill
ia to assert the doctrine of Federal nonnterVenuons anu
TO facilitate ts passage the friends OF the OIL a'ach W "
amendment which Congress ntsrrets 10 arrest e ope
ration of law which would establish slavery in the terrific
riss of Kansas and Nebraska Wha. is the value OF Inc
principle of the bill if 1t do not deny TO Congress tue
to egsate respect slavery In the tehtories' II
perfectly manifest that the amendment of Mr. Badger men,
tralzes and destroys the effect OF tue PtoeP'' "'' "
bill is meant establish.
The value of the Nebraska bill s impaired by another pro-
vision which not so absurd and Inconsistent is equally
repugnantto the Democracy OF the South Tho doctrine
of squaer sovereignty popounded by Mr. Cass was de-
nounced and resisted from the first by the State rghts men
of the Democratic party. How, theo can we accept bill
which asserts and illustrates this dogma In Its widest la,i.
,ude and most perncous eec1 The provision that The
laws of the territorial Legislature shall be exempt from the
supervision of Congress inserted 10 the Nebraska Dill al the
instance of Mr. Douglas is anomaly In this sort Of 10.
eisation and bes,ows the territorial government abso-
lutte independence and sovereignty Well mRhr Mr. Cass
with exuaon occasion OF the passage OF the
BILL congratulate hmee the triumph of his sorte 'hco-
~ of souocr Souereigny But in what position DO We o
the South stand who approve the bill with this odious lea
ture2 Do we deuouuce principle when 1t operates 10 oui
injury and and applaud whom by possible chance
NAV brpp Us some benefit Shall display such versa
ty of opinion and axy Of principle as to approve 10 Gay
what we condemned yesterday
Anxious as we are for the repeal OF the Missouri resic
on we will not affect any extraordinary exu!taton al Inc
massage of the Nebraska bi If It be encountered and mu
lated by these provisions We contend for no baen scep
r or "ui,less crown" The South aspres not to con
Quest which brings tangible good or apprecaoe adVan
,.pe We seek the golden fleece not the shorn carcaso
We must reap some compensation for wasted energy anc
mus, have some indemnify for exhausted effort Like Pyrrhu
10 Italy, and Napoleon In Egypt We shun victory "hcf
brnps us nothing beyond trophy of had-won hsid
there much glory triumph purchased by the surrender
of vital prncple1 If the Nebraska bill be emascula'ed
all yipor, why need exult over its passagef
But il s not too late repair the damage wrought oy IN
dsceet amendment and restore the original symmetry
and force Of The bill In The House the principle may be
relieved of the absurd and mischlevous conditions win
which It Is encountered. The repeal Of the Missouri re
s,rctlon should be absolute and emphatic The assertion
of the doctrine Of Intervention should be clear and un
squIyocal Nothing should be left which may breed future
doubt and contention