And the significance of
catch-words cannot pass unheeded, for they constitute a sign of the
times. Everything in this world "jibes" in with everything else, and all
the fruits of this Nebraska Bill are like the poisoned source from which
they come. I will not say that we may not sooner or later be compelled to
meet force by force; but the time has not yet come, and, if we are true
to ourselves, may never come. Do not mistake that the ballot is stronger
than the bullet. Therefore let the legions of slavery use bullets; but
let us wait patiently till November and fire ballots at them in return;
and by that peaceful policy I believe we shall ultimately win.
[Applause.]
It was by that policy that here in Illinois the early fathers fought the
good fight and gained the victory. In 1824 the free men of our State, led
by Governor Coles (who was a native of Maryland and President Madison's
private secretary), determined that those beautiful groves should never
re-echo the dirge of one who has no title to himself. By their resolute
determination, the winds that sweep across our broad prairies shall never
cool the parched brow, nor shall the unfettered streams that bring joy
and gladness to our free soil water the tired feet, of a slave; but so
long as those heavenly breezes and sparkling streams bless the land, or
the groves and their fragrance or memory remain, the humanity to which
they minister SHALL BE FOREVER FREE! [Great applause] Palmer, Yates,
Williams, Browning, and some more in this convention came from Kentucky
to Illinois (instead of going to Missouri), not only to better their
conditions, but also to get away from slavery.
Pages:
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332