Secession Era Editorials Project

The Nebraska Bill Passed.

Milledgeville, Georgia, Federal Union [Democratic]

(30 May 1854)

At last we have the cheering news from Washington that the Nebraska Bill has passed the House of Representatives by a majority of 13. We rejoice at this on many accounts. The Missouri Compromise line, as it has been called, has been erased, the odious distinction between North and South is blotted out. Southern men have now the liberty of emigrating to any of the territories belonging to the United States, and to carry their property with them, and above all, the principle has been established that Congress has no control over the slavery question in the territories. These great advantages for the South have been obtained by the passage of this bill, whether slavery ever goes into Nebraska or not; but this is not all, by the passage of this bill the South has learned that she has many friends at the North upon whom she may rely for justice in the hour of need. It should never be forgotten that this bill has been passed thro' both houses by the help of a Spartan band of Democrats from the North. These men have stood by the South and their principles under many discouragements. In vain has an Abolition press warned them, that by voting for the bill they sealed their own political death warrant. In vain has a tyrannical and bigoted priesthood threatened them with the vengeance of heaven, they have stood firm and dared to do their duty. All honor to President Pierce, to Douglass, Richardson and Cass and their brave associates from the North, whom the threatenings of the Priests, the warnings of Abolitionists, or the gibes and sneers of Southern Whigs could not drive from their duty. Whilst we have such men in our national councils, we need not despair of the Republic.