Even Douglas, our man, saw it all and was within helping distance, yet
let the murderous blows fall unopposed. Then, at the other end of the
line, at the very time Sumner was being murdered, Lawrence was being
destroyed for the crime of freedom. It was the most prominent stronghold
of liberty in Kansas, and must give way to the all-dominating power of
slavery. Only two days ago, Judge Trumbull found it necessary to propose
a bill in the Senate to prevent a general civil war and to restore peace
in Kansas.
We live in the midst of alarms; anxiety beclouds the future; we expect
some new disaster with each newspaper we read. Are we in a healthful
political state? Are not the tendencies plain? Do not the signs of the
times point plainly the way in which we are going? [Sensation.]
In the early days of the Constitution slavery was recognized, by South
and North alike, as an evil, and the division of sentiment about it was
not controlled by geographical lines or considerations of climate, but by
moral and philanthropic views. Petitions for the abolition of slavery
were presented to the very first Congress by Virginia and Massachusetts
alike. To show the harmony which prevailed, I will state that a fugitive
slave law was passed in 1793, with no dissenting voice in the Senate, and
but seven dissenting votes in the House.
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