The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-01-19
PROHIBITION OF SLAVERY IN NE
BRASKA

We are grati6ed to announce that the Coun-
Gil or Senate OF Nebraska Territory has retraced
its steps, AID has passed an act for the exclu-
sion of slavery from that Territory. Some weeks
ago, the Council rejected bill from the House
of Representatives having the same object IN
view; but subsequently Democratic member
reconsidered the matter, and new bill was
brought ia and adopteds 1t was Immediately
sent to the House, and met the appreciation of
that body so that if it is approved by the Fed,
eral Governor, Mr. Black, who was appointed
from Pennsylvania by Mr.. Buchanan, it will be-
come a law. But veto we are sorry to learn,
is expected.
This act Of abolishing slavery by Terrific
rial Government is perhaps the first assertion
of popular sovereignty" against the wishes OF
the President and the decision of the bred
Scott case. The moral effect of the victory will
enure to the Republicans, to whom it belongs,
since they introduced the subject, aud pressed
it upon the attention of the Legislature. 1t is
true that the Legislature is Democratic in both
its branches, but the party drill was compelled
to give way before the moral pressure.
The opponents of abolition urged that there
was no necessity for the act, since but few
slaves we're to be found in the Territory-per-
haps not more than a dozen or twenty. But in
vain--the advocates for the bill insisted that
the Territory should be absolutely free.
This plea, that there was no necessity for an
act of slavery exclusion, and that its introduc-
ton would be attended with useless agitation,
comes with an i'll grace from party which re-
pealed the Missouri compromise, not, as they
pretended, with the hope of introducing slavery
into Kansas and Nebraska, but in order to as
sert principle. The opponents of slavery
should be as punctilious in their adherence to
principle. They should exclude slavery, if not
a negro could be found within five hundred
miles of the Territory.
Equally futile was the objection raised by the
sham Democracy, that the Republicans could
not vote to exclude slavery by the Territorial
authority, because they claim the power as be-
longing to Congress. For while the Republi-
cans insist that the power belongs to Congress,
they have never denied it to the Territories on
the contrary, they rejoice to see the Territorial
Legislatures exercise it.
Republicans claim for Congress the power
" to make all necessary rules and regulations
for the government of the Territories" but in
practice, from the origin of the Government, the
Territories have been permitted to legislate for
themselves in most respects. A Republican
Congress would not permit Territorial Legis-
lature to establish polygamy, but it would freely
consent to its adoption of the usual laws OF
Christian countries for the regulation Of mar
riage. So with reference to slavery. A Re-
publican Congress would not permit the estab-
lishment of that relic of barbarism in Terrific
ry by its local Government; but no objection
would be made to Territorial act of exclusion
The squatter sovereigns have a ight to do right
but not a right to do wrong.
All honor to Nebraska. In two years, if moi
sooner, she will be knocking at the doors Of
Congress for admission into the Union as free
Republican State.
| The following is the act of slavery exclusion
1t is brief, and to the point:
"SEC. l. Therefore be 1t enacted By the Cottn
ciI and House Of Representatives OF the Terrific
~ Of Nebraska, That slavery or involuntary
servitude, except for the punishment of crime
be and the same is forever prohibited in this
| Territory.
"SEC. 2. This act shall take effect and be in
force from and after the first day of July, A. D.
| 1850"