Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-06-23
Rell-ana nnd Badger-ana.


The history of the Opposition candidate for the
Presidency in connection with the Nebraska-Kansas
ct of 1854 is quite interesting and should not be
permitted to escape the recollection Of his friends
more particularly those who regard the "ipse dixit"
pf Mr. Badger as equivalent to both law ard gospel
There is much that is rich and racy in this whole
matter and we beg the reader to bear with US whilst
We give him few episodes from that brilliant epoch
IN the political life of John Bell.
On the 18th February, 1854. Mr. Bell voted for
the amendment introduced by Senator Douglas, de-
claring the Missouri Compromise imperative and
void" procaiming the doctrine of "non-interven-
ton" and Leaving it to the people of the Terrific
res to form and regulate their domestic institutions
Slavery included) in their own way, subject to the
Constitution of the United States" We say for
this amendment Mr.. Bell and the whole of mis- Wing
friends in the Senate from the South voted.
WE'LL the National Inteiligencer having taken
ground against the repeal of the Missouri Compro-
mise, caucus of the Wing Senators was called to
take action on the subject That caucus was held
on the evening of the 18th of February. The roll
vas called, and the following Wing Senators an
swered, viz: Messrs- BELL, Geyer, Jones, Clayton,
: Badger, Dixon, Dawson, Toombs, Benjamin, and
Pratt The following resolution was introduced
and adopted unanimously:
Res0lced, That we disapprove of the course Of the
National Intelligencer upon the Nebraska Bill, and
that in our opinion it does not truly represent the
opinions of the Wing party of the South"
Mr. Bell was appointed on the Committee to in
form the Editors of the Inteligencer of this action
Of the Southern Wing Senators. just before the
caucus adjourned Mr.. Badger (who was to speak the
next day in the Senate on the bilD said: 'Well,
then, gentlemen had better take this occasion to
say in the course of my remarks, that ,ce are all
agreed in support of this Biz" There was gen.
era response $50 says Mr.. Badger,) "Yes, do SO by
all Means"
The next day Mr. Badger spoke, and towards the
close of his speech he made the following declare
ton: al desire to say, that though hold none of
ny Southern friends on this floor responsible for the
course Of argument which have offered, or any of
the intermediate views | have expressed. think it
right to say that with regard to the results to which
have come upon this measure, sce all agree as one
man-erery Southern Wing Senator. wish that
to be understood, that the position of gentlemen
may not be mistaken because they have not yet had
Inc opportunity of speaking or voting upon this
Bill"
Ar. Bell was sitting in few feet of Mr.. Badger
and heard this declaration. Il was universally I'M
0erstOOd at Washington City and throughout the
country that Mr. Badger asserted the truth (and had
authority to make it)-when he said thus publicly,
mat every Southern Wing Senator agreed as one
9an in favor of the Nebraska Kansas Bill declar-
ing the Missouri Compromise "inoperative and
VOID and establishing the doctrine of "non-inter-
Tention.n
what was the course and conduct of Mr.. Bell in
~s lace Of these facts? The prospect of the pas
e Oh the Bill had reused the free sespirit Of the
'Orln-public meetings were held and it was de-
1Ounced in the bitterest terms Before that spirit
'Onn Bell either qnailed, or under the hope and
rOSpect Of becoming the favorite of Northern senti
ssnt Tor the Presidency he deserted his Southern
aendS-tOOk part with the anti-Southern feeling of
~OSe who advocated the Bill, and to the astonish
'nt and disgust Of every Southern. man, spoke and
'sd against the measure in favor of which, he had
~ various ways, pledged himself His conduct. at
s;s ame' was regarded by nearly the whole South,
=, deep feeling of contempt and condemnation.
Nc verdict Of his own party was that he had act
10 bad faith to his friends or shown vacillating