Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-06-27
Bell.ana and Badger-ana.

Bell.ana and Badger-ana.
The history of the Opposition candidate for the
Presidency in connection with the Nebrasks-Kansas
act Of 1854 is quite interesting and should not be
permitted to escape the recollection of his friends
more particularly those who regard the "pse dixit"
of Mr. Badger as equivalent to both law ard gospel
There is much that is rich and racy in this whole
natter and beg the reader to bear with US whilst
VIC 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 "inoperative and
void" proclaiming the doctrine of "non-interven-
tion" and leaving it to the people of the Terrific
ries 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 his Wing
friends in the Senate from the South voted.
Well, the National IntelHgeneer having taken
ground against the repeal of the Missouri Compro-
take action on the subject That caucus was held
on the evening Of the 18th Il February. The roll
was 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:
Resolced, 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 Integencer of this action
of the Southern Wing Senator'S 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 we are all
agreed in support Of this Bill" There was gen.
eral 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 declara-
ton: 81 desire to say, that though hold none Of
my Southern friends on this floor responsible for the
course of argument which have offered, or any of
the intermediate views have expressed l think it
right to say that with regard to the results to which
have come upon this measure, soe all agree as one
man-erery Southern Whig Senator. wish that
to be understood that the position of gentlemen
may not be mistaken, because they have not yet had
the opportunity of speaking or voting upon this
Bill" .. ..
Mr. Bell was sitting in few feet of Mr. Badger
and heard this declaration. 1. was universally un-
derstood at Washington City and throughout the
country that Mr.. Badger asserted the truth and had
authority to make it when he said thus publicly,
%hot u
man" in favor of the Nebraska Kansas Bill declar-
ing the Missouri Compromise "inoperative and
void" and establishing the doctrine of "non-inter-
vention." ... r"t.. .rr
What was the course and conduct Of Mr. Bell in
the face Of these factsa The prospect of the pas
sage of the Bill had reused the free soilsprit of the
North-pubc meetings were held and it was de-
nounced in the bitterest terms. Before that spirit
John Bell either quailed, or under the hope and
prospect Of becoming the favorte of Northern sent
ment for the Presidency, he deserted his Southern
friends-took part with the ant-Southern feeling Of
those who advocated the Bill, and to the astonsh-
ment and disgust Of every Southern man. spoke and
voted against the measure in favor of which, he had
in various ways, pledged himself His conduct at
su0 tui0, Woo iCSotoCu W WuOIc COuItI
with deep feeling of contempt and condemnation
The verdict Of his own party was, that he had act
ed in bad faith to his friends or shown vacillating
weakness unbecoming Senator. When arraigned
BY his brother Wing Senators for thus deserting
them,-when the facts which we have stated were
pressed upon him, with killing force, by Messrs.
Ioombs, Badger, Clayton and Benjamin, his display
temper and rude vulgarity, yes, we say ou'gari-
w. Tor it was nothing less) was humilisting in the
extreme Questions of veracity arose between a
number Of his Wing brethren and himself, and the
public verdict of the day was that Toombs, Badger
and others had told the truth, and that John Bell
had not! -.
We shall hereafter give our readers some extracts
IRON this famous debate. It will, indeed be rich
ea@ Ii there was no other incident in the history
Z" John Bell to warn Southern men-yea men of
any and every section, against trusting him, this
would be sufficient. We remember well what an
indignant outburst there was in this region amongst
certain coterie of gentlemen, when thew learned
mat even John Bell had dared to dispute the truth