The daily union., 1856-01-20
rHE ANrl-sEBRAsKA AGITATION.

against the Nebraska bill begins and ends with protest
against agitation. Knowing that the people Of the United
States are sincerely the introduction OF all dis
turbng elements into political contests and aware that the
substantial interests Of the North well the South are
endangered by the eliminating discussions and de-
nunoiatiCns which arise from the difference on the
subject Of slavery, the abolitonists and those who
sympahize with them, appeal 10 this sentiment and
declare their hostility against agating the question
of slavery In this way they have been able seriously
affect the public mind in parts OF the Union, in
making their demonstrations against the Nebraska bill
They say that the repeal Of the Missouri Compromise has
reopened the fountain Of bitter waters closed by the
Of 1850 They fall back upon the almost un
sentiment of satisfaction which endorsed those
ures They go the democratic platform OF 1852 in which
they say these made the final settlement Of
the slavery question: and in this way they have been
ablei seduce into their ranks who have called
themselves democrats and who think that 10 following the
fatal lead Of the combination they contributing
theoverthrow ofsgtaton Unfortunately however theabo
onists forget that the principles of the compromise
1850 the very principles involved in the Nebraska
BILL and that to be consistent with the spirit of the compo
mise measures, the Missouri restricona congressional
stautewas made to give way to that other and greater
doctrine which has removed the question Of slavery in the
IRON congressional
tion and placed in the hands of the people They forget
too while invoking the popularity of the compromise
urcs to sustain them in their against the Nebraska
BILL and while singing haeluahs to the defunct Missouri
Compromise that in all the war they have waged upon
the rights of the South and maintained down to with
in few years ago. the most uncompromising and un-
reenng of all was the war they made upon this very
Missouri Compromise Now when this exciting subject so
-
desped and tramed upon and held up the people of
the free States the proof OF the betrayal Of their inter-
ess by their representatives in ls2owhen this has been
removed by the Nebraska BILL the who for
than thirty years. raned upon the advocates of the
Missouri Compromise, shout in chorus of condem-
| nation against the who have repealed It'll
But more than this The very men who 60 back to the
compromise measures and declare that those
settled the slavery question: were themselves the first to
protest against what they declare was fnality
From the day those adopted by Congress-
they organized party to repeal the fugtiyeslave law,
before the country upon that issue Hardly had
these measures been consummaed when, in the midst of
the general JOY which hailed their passage Mr. Greeley and
the present Nebraska party followed the lead of Mr.
Seward their denuncatons of the who contributed
to this settlement and in preparations for continued ag
taon until the fugitiveslaye law should be abrogaed
Now for the proof
On the 18th Of February 1851 but six months after the
compromise became laws OF the land petition
presented in the Senate of the United States asking
for the repeal or modification of the fugitiyesave law
upon which both Mr. Seward and Mr. Hale delivered strong
speeches the former denouncing the law in the bierest
terms and the latter using the following language After
going refer the riots in Boston, and the resistance
to the fugve-saye in Pennsylvania and New York and
arguing in favor Of the continued agitation of the slavery
tquesuon, he said
Ave- sir where there agitation there sagnaton,
ed corruption and death. But agitation Is the great ele
meut life through agitation that the American
revelation sprung being 1t agitation which gave
birth American constitution it Is the life and breath
of everything valuable and when everything
worth having will die. Under the fetid erhalaons that
will spring up that putrefacon which when
the giving element Of agitation Withdrawn, all these
| viii perish.
No. sir glory in the name Of sgitstor wish The
country might be agtaed vastly than h The great
fault that it is not agated half enough There many
which require agitation and nobody but those who
are hugging deluson and fatal errorshave any
thing from that life giving element which win mpart
its healing did the waters Of the pool at tho beautiful gate
| Of the temple"
Such was the position Of Mr. Seward and Mr. Hale the
present leaders of the autNebras agitation after the
adoption OF the compromise measures but this all
In April Of the year. when the cry of repeal raised
against the ugiveslave the Shibboleth of the party
opposing the democracy, the aboonss Of Massachusetts,
called convention assist in this repeal and invited
Mr. Seward attend He replied in letter of which the
following is an extract: . ...
"AuBrRN, April 5, 1851.
"DEAH siR Your letter inviting to attend conveu
tion Of the people Massachusetts, opposed TO the fugitive
slave law and 10 comlnuncate writing my opinion that
statute IL should be unable attend the convention, has
been received
"whe offering the pressure Of duties here too long de-
ferred a. an apology nsttsndance pray you to assure
the committee In whose behalf you act OF my profound
OF their courtesy aud Kindness IL would be honor to be
invited 70 address the people of Massachusetts any sub
sct but Il might well satisfy generous ambition to be
called upon speak that great aud enlightened Compn
wealth on question of human rights and civil liberty.
al confess sr that have earnestly desired not to mnge
in the popular discussions Of the Of the last Con-
eress The issue necessarily involves the claims o their sd
yocates and aversares the public councils the conf
depce Of the country Some OF those advocates have entered
the popular arena eliminating those from whom they had
aasr While others eudesyored by extraordinary
means either to discussion suppress IL stogeth
err and thus they shown themselves disqualified by
prejudice interest for practising that mpartiaiy and
dor which the occasion demanded
am unwilling TO imply by reiterating
Rnments already before the public either rny dus Of the
position Of those with whom stood 10 Congress mpa-
thence for that favorable popular verdict which believe