The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-03-13

NEBRASKA Cry, N. T., FEB. II. 1856.

To the Editor ofthe National Era.
We have Just seen two articles, in as many
numbers of your paper, upon the recent cleo
ton for Delegate to Congress-one of which
was undoubtedly written by an ardent partisan
of Chapman, and the other by Uery partial
friend of Bennett, if not from his dictation; and
it would seem that the respective candidates
could have no cause for complaint, each having
had an opportunity of setting himself right
through the Era. But there is another party
that claims now to be heard
Early in the campaign, Fl. p. Bennett was
announced as the " Peoples Candidate" by
the ProSlavery party in this city, who did APP
peal on his behalf to all the jealousies existing
between the two sections of the Territory.
Pierces officials had made themselves odious
to the greater portion of the People, especially
those residing south of the Platte river: and
Bennett proclaimed that Chapman, who was
then in Ohio, but who was expected to be soon
here, to become a candidate for Delegate also
was in league with the officials at Omaha; and
these, with strongly professed opposition to the
Administration at Washington, he and his
friends declared were the only issues they de-
sired to make.
Now, what is it that has made the Admihis-
tration of Mr.. Pierce so odious to the People
OF the country2 Is it not the position which
it occupies upon the Slavery question? But
MIR. Benefits opposition did not rest upon this,
nor have we been able to ascertain upon what
1t does rest. He was formerly Wing, but op.
posed Scott in the last Presidential campaign,
and now stands committed to the support of
General Cass at the coming election. As the
election neared, the Nebraska Cuy Ne,cs, Ben
nett's organ at this place, and the editor Of
which is his law partner, made weekly on
saughts upon Chapman, and upon all the peo
pie from Ohio, stigmatizing them as Abolition
lists, and every other appellation calculated to
create prejudice against them, and called
upon the People to approve of I" the liberal and
enlarged Uieacs Of Douglas d Co., by rallying
around Bennett. During this time, the People
who in the States were identified with the Free
Soil party, took no part in the contest and it
becoming evident that the contest would be
close one, and many declaring that they should
not vote for him until he gave his views openly
and definitely upon the Slavery question, Mr.
Bennett was induced to attempt public expo
sition of his position in speech at this place.
on the day previous to the election. As TO
whether Nebraska should be a free or slave
State, he would leace that to the People; but
iatinaoted that should he take any part in the
contest sohen ii arose. (for he claimed that that
was question which should not by any means
be brought into the present issue,) he should
probably favor its becoming free.
But what does he say upon the great issue,
the poioer Of Congress concerning Slavery in
the Territories? See how clearly, eepressiceIy.
and definitely, he defines himself He saws
that he is opposed TO all agitation of the rered
question. And why? Because the South has
always gained by agitation.
In the mean time, Chapman arrived, and was
nominated by Convention at Omaha He
disavowed having any preference for Omaha
and North Platte over Nebraska City and
South Platte; he openly declared himself q
Democrat; was in favor of the principles of
the Nebraska bill, but did not approve of the
course which the Administration has since IA
ken upon the subject; was decidedly in favor
of Free State, and warmly sympathized with
the Free State Party in Kansas and said he
could not better or more clearly express his
views upon the Slavery question than by say
ing that he was Reeder man to the core
This was not satisfactory to the thoroughly
Anti Slavery men, but many deemed it frank
and honest, and supported him as the least of
the two evils; while, on the other hand, some
supposed that more good would come of one
who had been Wing, but who had now dis
solved all his old political ties, than of Dem
ocrat, who still had party in power to cling
to, and voted accordingly.
III Is true that Bennett received q majority
over Chapman of thirteen votes it is true that
several persons residing on the Halfbreed tract,
which the Governor had, in his proclamation,
declared was not within the jurisdiction of the
Territory, voted for Bennett; it is true that the
returns from several Of the counties were ille-
gal; and it is no doubt true, also, that had all
the illegal returns been thrown iout, Bennett
would still have had slight majority.
Chapman is a man of quiet, insinuating
manners, and a politician by profession. Ben
nett is q man of unexceptionable private char
acter-a lawyer of ordinary talents, and has
held judgeship in Iowa.
An effort is now being made by the Bennett
party to secure the annexation of the southern
part of Nebraska to Kansas. 1t may seem to
the people of the States that this would give
material aid to the Anti-Slavery people there :;
bit this as q mistake. For Anti-Slavery men
can nscer gain anything acithOm agitation, Mr..
Bennett, to the contrary, notwithstanding. |
verify believe that, were vote had to-day in
South Platte, it would result in favor of Slavery
But we have many good men here, and have
started the ball. as you will see by the proceed
ings of our first meeting, which we sent you
few weeks since. Those proceedings the Ne,cs,
the only paper Of this city, has refused to pub
lish, or even mention. j. II. KAGI.
4. c.. TAYLOR.
REPUBLICANIsM IN New YoRK-At the reg