Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-01-26
Slavery in Nebraska.

The country en- Judge at last OF the true
intent nd meaning OF the KaUst s-Nebrasku
biil The history OF Kansas afforded a
sufficient clue TO the purpose of that act;
hu; the dIsorepnut versions OF the events OF
thai Territory in 1854. '55 and 'b6, poisoned
the minds oi ~ many wet-meanlng citizens,
that tier Judgment wastobscured. But in
regard to Nebraska, there can be no such
plea. There has been no strife, no violence,
no disorder, 10 bloodshed; but there, as
well as in is sister Territory, the object to
he attained by the repeal OF the Missouri
Compromise, and the substitution therefor
oI the great principle" is 50 plainly appar.
eut that IL cannot be mistaken. What that
object is, let recent events proclaim.
Since the opening of Nebraska to settle
ment, there have beeD greater or less num-
Der of slaves held therein. The Mssourians,
at mn enrly day. seized upon the larest por
tion ol the Territory, and with their human
cbattcls, took possession. There they have
been ever since; and though the number Of
their slaves has not been large, il was largo
enough to give sanction to their boast that
Slavery WIS one OF the institutions of the
inchos'e State. 1t is sufficient to know that
thousand is O matter of no concern, we're
held there in bondage.
When the Legislature of Nebraska as
scmbled near month ngo, bill for the
abolition OF slavery In the Territory was
brought forward BY the Republican party
In the House and in the Council It met
with unexpected opposition from the Denioc.
rscy. II wns OF once tabled and beaten by
Democratic votes; but, again resuscitated
it passed at last-every Republican voting
for il. Every vote cast against it was
| Democratic vote. Here was the exercise
OF Squatter Sovereignty-th same Squattei
Severe gnry upon the triumph of which
Gen. Cuss congratulated the Senate of thu
United States when the Kansas Nebrasks
bill became u law--in perfectly fair an,
legitimate manner; and though the Demo
Gratis in voting against the bill we're false t,
their Northern professions, tho county,
would have approved and been satisfied will
its passage. The bill was sent to the Gov
ernor, and by him returned to the body il
which 1t originated, with his veto and objec
tions accompanying. That veto, embody ine
his objections, lies before US. II is q re
markable document, not SO much for th
beauty of It's style, the force OF its fucts o
the logical method OF It's reasoning, MS 70
the pair, fiat, unequivocal denial Of tn
rist.l Of the people o; the Territory, throug
their pr' perly constituted law making body
TO lsgisluto upon the subject OF slavery o
all, uncss they legislate for its admission
The Governor 'sreasona 70; his extraordnur
veto, are
ls.. The existence Of Slavery in tn
Louisiana Territory ceded TO the Unite
States, is recognized by the 'rcnty of ces
sion; hence, until tho formation OF Stat
out Of the Territory SO conveyed, or an
portion thereof, the abolition of Slavery
/, impossible without n violation of the ircn,
s,ipulu,ions.
I'd. The equality of the Sta,cs demf nd
that the people Of the Slave, us well as tn
people of the Free States, may tnke tbei
"propeity" 10 the Territory belonging t
all States in common; hence the abolition
of Slavery by Territorial Legisluiur
becomes impossible, because, by denyin
the citizens OF Slave States the right o
migrating with their negroes, tho equality q
the States will be destroyed. In other words
the Dred Scott decision, which Gov. Blacl
recognizes us in forcc-,he Drcd Scot
decision Including the obiter dicta of lh
Court-forbds the Legislature to do wha
was proposed.
So Slavery exists in Nebraska to-day il
spite of the efforts of the Legislature t
abolish it! II Is there, n fixed fact in thu
Territory. above and beyond the reach {
Congress or OF the people!
Democrats Of Illinois-Douglas Demo
Gratis buchanan Democrats--is this The
entertainment to which you have invited Us
Is this the upshot of your fine speeches il
regard to tho sacred right OF self-govern
ment in the Territories? Ia this the way il
which You propose to allow the people te
regulate their domestic institutions in lheil
own way! Is tAis the true intent and mean
ing OF the Kansas Nebraska bilt Is this tht
purpose for which you assisted in and justi'
fled the repeal of what your Democrat it
Governor calls that "awIul mockery, the
Missouri Compromised" We appeal 10 yodl
better fense, to your patriotism, Ia
your professed love Of free Institutions
10 your love Of county, to open YOU
eyes to tho enormities (which are COM
mitted In your name-to the fact nov
demonstrated, that you have abandoned the
policy of the fathers f,he Republic, hon.
es,ly enough we doubt not, in pursuit o.
strange doctrines propounded by ambitious
leuders, only to assist in making Slavery
which you say you hate, the law ssof every
Territory of the United States, whence no
power can expel 1t. This Ia what you have
accomplished. II this is what you intended
let It be kaown. II you also have been
humbupeea by political trick, see to II
that y k have your revenge. Chicago Press
| nd Tribune