But the principle of the Nebraska Bill abolished slavery in several of
the old States. Well, it is true that several of the old States, in the
last quarter of the last century, did adopt systems of gradual
emancipation by which the institution has finally become extinct within
their limits; but it may or may not be true that the principle of the
Nebraska Bill was the cause that led to the adoption of these measures.
It is now more than fifty years since the last of these States adopted
its system of emancipation.
If the Nebraska Bill is the real author of the benevolent works, it is
rather deplorable that it has for so long a time ceased working
altogether. Is there not some reason to suspect that it was the principle
of the Revolution, and not the principle of the Nebraska Bill, that led
to emancipation in these old States? Leave it to the people of these old
emancipating States, and I am quite certain they will decide that neither
that nor any other good thing ever did or ever will come of the Nebraska
Bill.
In the course of my main argument, Judge Douglas interrupted me to say
that the principle of the Nebraska Bill was very old; that it originated
when God made man, and placed good and evil before him, allowing him to
choose for himself, being responsible for the choice he should make.
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