Nebraska advertiser., 1859-12-29
The Stare PrOhibitOry Bill In the
Nebraska LEGISLATURE.


The Stare PrOhibitOry Bill In the
Nebraska Legislature.
Our readers are well aware that we
have always opposed the agitation Of the
Slavery question in Nebraska. we did
so because we believed the question not
necessarily an issue in Nebraska; all ad-
hitting that the people Of all parties were
almost universally in favor Of free State
principles. We have, however, within
the past eighteen months, been forced
into the belief that a great mistake was
made in not taking decisive action upon
that subject, at the first sessions Of the Ne
braska Legislature. Then we should
have heard nothing more Of the "Texed
question" But, for reasons thought to
be good, the matter has passed along
growing however in importance, not only
in our own Territory, but in every nook
and corner of the Union; until il has be-
cone the great, and in fact only political
question of The day, and all men and par
ties must meet it. The rights Of the
people Of a Territory; or the pOwerS Of
a Territorial Legislature on the Slavery
question, is the issue. and the only one
between the two great political parties Of
the country. The Democratic party here
and elsewhere have claimed for the Ter
r~itorial Legislatures the exclusive power
to Iegislate upon, or, in other words, to
"form or regulate all our domestic Insti-
tutions," slavery included. This has long
been a f~avorite position with US; a prin-
ciple we delight in aiding to difuse, be-
cause it secures TO the people their just
rights. It is the great principle for which
that model statesman, STEPHEN a.. DoU.
GLAs, has jeopardized his all, politically,
in e%nunciating. New Mexico and Kan
sas, in conformity with the provisions of
their organic acts, have decided upon the
slavery question. The former establish
ing and the latter prohibiting. At the
present session Of the Nebraska Legisla-
ture, a Bill was introduced prohibiting
Slavery, and passed the House by a vote
of 81 to II. The following are the yeas
and nays:
Ayes-Arnoit, Balm, Baker, Bowen,
Burbank, Collier, Grow, Davis, Hanscom,
Lake, Lalta, Marquette, M'Casland Max
well, Myers, Rogers, Reck, Shields, Ste
phenson, Stewart, Tahe.-2l.
Noes-Adams, Barnard, Bates, Belden,
Broadhead, Campbell, Goshen, Hinsdale,
johnson, Keeling, Kennedy. Malcomb,
Noel, Nuckolls of Otoe, Nuckolls OF Rich
ardsOn, Reynolds, Tufts-l7.
The Bill was defeated, however, in the
Council, by a vote Of z to 6, as follows:
Ayes-Collier Donelan, Doane, Little,
Miller, Reeves, Scott.
Nays-Boykin, Cheever, Dundy, Fur
mas, Porter, Taylor.-6.
The political complexion of the present
Legislature is, in the House, Democrats
26, Republicans 10; Council, 10 Demo
Gratis 8 Republicans.
We give these facts in relation to the
4. PfOhibiiory Bill, as they transpired and
exist. At present we offer no comments;
but, on our return after the adjournment
Of the Legislature, we propose TO enter
into a full and free discussion Of Nebras-
Ia politics through the columns of the
advertiser, and perhaps upon the stump.
In doing so we will deal in 'facts and
figures" speak without prejudice or
Partially" confirming ourself to principles.
In our political actions we have always
been governed by principle, and intend in
all time to come thus to act. We are Of
the people and for the people, in defence
of their rights. We are a stranger to the
doctrine that requires the sacrifice of
principles-great liUing principles to
please the individual whims Of any man
or set of men. When we thus condescend,
may u name be stricken from the list Of
the lovers of freedom.
Nebraska Delegates TO Charleston.