第12章

Ithasnotbeenaquestionofproperty，butoffeeling。Ithasbeenapoliticalpoint；andtheSouthhasconceived——andprobablyconceivedtruly——thatthisresolutiononthepartofNorthernStatestodefythelawwithreferencetoslaves，eventhoughinitselfitmightnotbeimmediatelyinjurioustoSouthernproperty，wasaninsertionofthenarrowendofthewedge。Itwasanactiontakenagainstslavery——anactiontakenbymenoftheNorthagainsttheirfellow-countrymenintheSouth。Undersuchcircumstances，thesoonersuchcountrymenshouldceasetobetheirfellowsthebetteritwouldbeforthem。That，Itakeit，wastheargumentoftheSouth，oratanyratethatwasitsfeeling。

Ihavesaidthatthereasonsgivenforsecessionhavebeentrifling，andamongthemhavesoestimatedthismatteroftheFugitiveSlaveLaw。Imeantoassertthatthegroundactuallyputforwardistrifling——theloss，namely，ofslavestowhichtheSouthhasbeensubjected。Butthetruereasonpointedatinthis——theconviction，namely，thattheNorthwouldnotleaveslaveryalone，andwouldnotallowittoremainasasettledinstitution——wasbynomeanstrifling。IthasbeenthisconvictiononthepartoftheSouththattheNorthwouldnotliveinamitywithslavery——wouldcontinuetofightitunderthisbannerorunderthat，wouldstillcondemnitasdisgracefultomenandrebukeitasimpiousbeforeGod——whichhasproducedrebellionandcivilwar，andwillultimatelyproducethatdivisionforwhichtheSouthisfightingandagainstwhichtheNorthisfighting，andwhich，whenaccomplished，willgivetheNorthnewwings，andwillleavetheSouthwithoutpoliticalgreatnessorcommercialsuccess。

UndersuchcircumstancesIcannotthinkthatrebelliononthepartoftheSouthwasjustifiedbywrongsendured，ormadereasonablebytheprospectofwrongstobeinflicted。Itisdisagreeable，thathavingtolivewithawifewhoisalwaysrebukingoneforsomespecialfault；buttheoutsideworldwillnotgrantadivorceonthataccount，especiallyiftheoutsideworldiswellawarethatthefaultsorebukedisofdailyoccurrence。“Ifyoudonotchoosetobecalledadrunkardbyyourwife，“theoutsideworldwillsay，“itwillbewellthatyoushouldceasetodrink。“Ah！butthathabitofdrinking，whenonceacquired，cannoteasilybelaidaside。Thebrainwillnotwork；theorgansofthebodywillnotperformtheirfunctions；thebloodwillnotrun。Thedrunkardmustdrinktillhedies。Allthatmaybeagoodgroundfordivorce，theoutsideworldwillsay；butthepleashouldbeputinbythesoberwife，notbytheintemperatehusband。Butwhatifthehusbandtakeshimselfoffwithoutanydivorce，andtakeswithhimalsohiswife\'sproperty，herearnings，thatonwhichhehaslivedandhischildren？Itmaybeagoodbargainstillforher，theoutsideworldwillsay；butshe，ifshebeawomanofspirit，willnotwillinglyputupwithsuchwrongs。TheSouthhasbeenthehusbanddrunkwithslavery，andtheNorthhasbeentheill-usedwife。

Rebellion，asIhavesaid，isoftenjustifiablebutitis，Ithink，neverjustifiableonthepartofapaidservantofthatgovernmentagainstwhichitisraised。Wemust，atanyrate，feelthatthisistrueofmeninhighplaces——asregardsthosementowhombyreasonoftheirofficesitshouldspeciallybelongtoputdownrebellion。

HadWashingtonbeenthegovernorofVirginia，hadCromwellbeenaministerofCharles，hadGaribaldiheldamarshal\'sbatonundertheEmperorofAustriaortheKingofNaples，thosemenwouldhavebeentraitorsaswellasrebels。Treasonandrebellionmaybemadeoneunderthelaw，butthemindwillalwaysdrawthedistinction。I，ifIrebelagainsttheCrown，amnotonthataccountnecessarilyatraitor。Abetrayaloftrustis，Itakeit，necessarytotreason。

IamnotawarethatJeffersonDavisisatraitor；butthatBuchananwasatraitoradmits，Ithink，ofnodoubt。Underhim，andwithhisconnivance，therebellionwasallowedtomakeitsway。Underhim，andbyhisofficers，armsandshipsandmenandmoneyweresentawayfromthosepointsatwhichitwasknownthattheywouldbeneeded，ifitwereintendedtoputdownthecomingrebellion，andtothosepointsatwhichitwasknownthattheywouldbeneeded，ifitwereintendedtofosterthecomingrebellion。ButMr。Buchananhadnoeagerfeelinginfavorofsecession。HewasnotofthatstuffofwhicharemadeDavis，andToombs，andSlidell。Buttreasonwaseasiertohimthanloyalty。Remonstrancewasmadetohim，pointingoutthemisfortuneswhichhisaction，orwantofaction，wouldbringuponthecountry。“Notinmytime，“heanswered。“Itwillnotbeinmytime。“Sothathemightescapeunscathedoutofthefire，thischiefrulerofanationofthirtymillionsofmenwascontenttoallowtreasonandrebelliontoworktheirway！IventuretosaysomuchhereasshowinghowimpossibleitwasthatMr。Lincoln\'sgovernment，onitscomingintooffice，shouldhavegiventotheSouth，notwhattheSouthhadasked，fortheSouthhadnotasked，butwhattheSouthhadtaken，whattheSouthhadtriedtofilch。

HadtheSouthwaitedforsecessiontillMr。Lincolnhadbeeninhischair，IcouldunderstandthatEnglandshouldsympathizewithher。

FormyselfIcannotagreetothatscuttlingoftheshipbythecaptainonthedaywhichwastoseethetransferofhiscommandtoanotherofficer。

TheSouthernStatesweredrivenintorebellionbynowrongsinflictedonthem；buttheirdesireforsecessionisnotonthataccountmatterforastonishment。Itwouldhavebeensurprisinghadtheynotdesiredsecession。Secessionofonekind，averypracticalsecession，hadalreadybeenforceduponthembycircumstances。Theyhadbecomeaseparatepeople，disseveredfromtheNorthbyhabits，morals，institutions，pursuits，andeveryconceivabledifferenceintheirmodesofthoughtandaction。Theystillspokethesamelanguage，asdoAustriaandPrussia；butbeyondthattieoflanguagetheyhadnobondbutthatofameagerpoliticalunionintheirCongressatWashington。Slavery，asithadbeenexpelledfromtheNorth，andasithadcometobewelcomedintheSouth，hadraisedsuchawallofdifferencethattruepoliticalunionwasoutofthequestion。Itwouldbejuster，perhaps，tosaythatthosephysicalcharacteristicsoftheSouthwhichhadinducedthiswelcomingofslavery，andthoseothercharacteristicsoftheNorthwhichhadinduceditsexpulsion，werethetruecausesofthedifference。Foryearsandyearsthishasbeenfeltbyboth，andthefighthasbeengoingon。Ithasbeencontinuedforthirtyyears，andalmostalwaystothedetrimentoftheSouth。In1845FloridaandTexaswereadmittedintotheUnionasslaveStates。IthinkthatnoStatehadthenbeenadmitted，asafreeState，sinceMichigan，in1836。In1846IowawasadmittedasafreeState，andfromthatdaytothisWisconsin，California，Minnesota，Oregon，andKansashavebeenbroughtintotheUnion；allasfreeStates。TheannexationofanotherslaveStatetotheexistingUnionhadbecome，Iimagine，impossible——unlesssuchobjectweregainedbytheadmissionofTexas。WeallrememberthatfightaboutKansas，andwhatsortofafightitwas！KansasliesalongsideofMissouri，aslaveState，andiscontiguoustonootherState。Ifthefree-soilpartycould，inthedaysofPierceandBuchanan，carrythedayinKansas，itisnotlikelythattheywouldbebeatenonanynewgroundundersuchaPresidentasLincoln。WehaveallheardinEuropehowSouthernmenhaveruledintheWhiteHouse，nearlyfromthedaysofWashingtondownward；orifnotSouthernmen，Northernmen，suchasPierceandBuchanan，withSouthernpolitics；andthereforewehavebeentaughttothinkthattheSouthhasbeenpoliticallythewinningparty。

Theyhave，intruth，beenthelosingpartyasregardsnationalpower。Butwhattheyhavesolosttheyhavehithertorecoveredbypoliticaladdressandindividualstatecraft。TheleadingmenoftheSouthhaveseentheirposition，andhavegonetotheirworkwiththeexerciseofalltheirenergies。TheyorganizedtheDemocraticpartysoastoincludetheleadersamongtheNorthernpoliticians。Theyneverbegrudgedtotheseassistantsafullshareofthegoodthingsofofficiallife。TheyhavebeenaidedbythefanaticalabolitionismoftheNorthbywhichtheRepublicanpartyhasbeendividedintotwosections。IthasbeenfashionabletobeaDemocrat，thatis，toholdSouthernpolitics，andunfashionabletobeaRepublican，ortoholdanti-Southernpolitics。InthatwaytheSouthhaslivedandstruggledonagainstthegrowingwillofthepopulation；butatlastthatwillbecametoostrong，andwhenMr。

Lincolnwaselected，theSouthknewthatitsdaywasover。

ItisnotsurprisingthattheSouthshouldhavedesiredsecession。

Itisnotsurprisingthatitshouldhavepreparedforit。SincethedaysofMr。Calhounitsleadershavealwaysunderstooditspositionwithafairamountofpoliticalaccuracy。ItsonlychanceofpoliticallifelayinprolongedascendencyatWashington。TheswellingcrowdsofGermans，bywhomtheWesternStateswerebeingfilled，enlistedthemselvestoamanintheranksofabolition。

WhatwastheacquisitionofTexasagainstsuchhostsasthese？AnevildaywascomingontheSouthernpoliticians，anditbehoovedthemtobeprepared。Asaseparatenation——anationtrustingtocotton，havingintheirhands，astheyimagined，amonopolyofthestapleofEnglishmanufacture，withatariffoftheirown，andthoserabidcursesonthesourceofalltheirwealthnolongerringingintheirears，whatmighttheynotdoasaseparatenation？ButasapartoftheUnion，theyweretooweaktoholdtheirownifoncetheirpoliticalfinesseshouldfailthem。Thatdaycameuponthem，notunexpected，in1860，andthereforetheycutthecable。

Andallthishascomefromslavery。Itishardenough，forhowcouldtheSouthhaveescapedslavery？How，atleast，couldtheSouthhaveescapedslaveryanytimeduringtheselastthirtyyears？

Andisit，moreover，socertainthatslaveryisanunmitigatedevil，opposedtoGod\'swill，andproducingallthesorrowswhichhaveeverbeenproducedbytyrannyandwrong？Itishere，afterall，thatonecomestothedifficultquestion。Hereistheknotwhichthefingersofmencannotopen，andwhichadmitsofnosuddencuttingwiththeknife。IhavelikenedtheslaveholdingStatestothedrunkenhusband，andinsodoinghavepronouncedjudgmentagainstthem。Asregardsthestateofthedrunkenman，hisunfitnessforpartnershipwithanydecent，diligent，well-to-dowife，hisruinedcondition，andshatteredprospects，thesimile，Ithink，holdsgood。ButI

refrainfromsayingthatasthefaultwasoriginallywiththedrunkardinthathebecamesuch，soalsohasthefaultbeenwiththeslaveStates。AtanyrateIrefrainfromsosayinghere，onthispage。Thatthepositionofaslaveowneristerriblyprejudicial，nottotheslave，ofwhomIdonotherespeak，buttotheowner；ofsomuchatanyrateIfeelassured。Thatthepositionisthereforecriminalanddamnable，Iamnotnowdisposedtotakeuponmyselftoassert。

ThequestionofslaveryinAmericacannotbehandledfullyandfairlybyanyonewhoisafraidtogobackuponthesubject，andtakeitswholehistorysinceonemanfirstclaimedandexercisedtherightofforcinglaborfromanotherman。Icertainlyamafraidofanysuchtask；butIbelievethattherehasbeennoperiodyet，sincetheworld\'sworkbegan，whensuchapracticehasnotprevailedinalargeportion，probablyinthelargestportion，oftheworld\'sworkfields。Ascivilizationhasmadeitsprogress，ithasbeenthedutyanddelight，asithasalsobeentheinterestofthemenatthetopofaffairs，nottolightentheworkofthemenbelow，butsototeachthemthattheyshouldrecognizethenecessityofworkingwithoutcoercion。Emancipationofserfsandthrals，ofbondsmenandslaves，hasalwaysmeantthis——thatmenhavingbeensotaught，shouldthenworkwithoutcoercion。

Intalkingorwritingofslaves，wealwaysnowthinkofthenegroslave。OfusEnglishmenitmustatanyratebeacknowledgedthatwehavedonewhatinuslaytoinducehimtorecognizethisnecessityforlabor。Atanyrateweactedonthepresumptionthathewoulddoso，andgavehimhislibertythroughoutallourlandsatacostwhichhasneveryetbeenreckonedupinpounds，shillings，andpence。Thecostnevercanbereckonedup，norcanthegainwhichweachievedinpurgingourselvesfromthedegradationanddemoralizationofsuchemployment。Wecomeintocourtwithcleanhands，havingdoneallthatlaywithustodotoputdownslaverybothathomeandabroad。Butwhenweenfranchisedthenegroes，wedidsowiththeintention，atleast，thattheyshouldworkasfreemen。Theirshareofthebargaininthatrespecttheyhavedeclinedtokeep，whereverstarvationhasnotbeentheresultofsuchresolveontheirpart；andfromthedateofouremancipation，seeingthepositionwhichthenegroesnowholdwithus，theSouthernStatesofAmericahavelearnedtoregardslaveryasapermanentinstitution，andhavetaughtthemselvestoregarditasablessing，andnotasacurse。

NegroeswerefirsttakenovertoAmericabecausethewhitemancouldnotworkunderthetropicalheats，andbecausethenativeIndianwouldnotwork。Thelatterpeoplehasbeen，orsoonwillbe，exterminated——polishedoffthefaceofcreation，astheAmericanssay——whichfatemust，Ishouldsay，inthelongrunattendallnon-

workingpeople。Asthesoiloftheworldisrequiredforincreasingpopulation，thenon-workingpeoplemustgo。AndsotheIndianshavegone。Thenegroes，undercompulsion，didwork，andworkwell；andundertheirhandsvastregionsofthewesterntropicsbecamefertilegardens。Thefactthattheywerecarriedupintonorthernregionswhichfromtheirnaturedidnotrequiresuchaid，thatslaveryprevailedinNewYorkandMassachusetts，doesnotmilitateagainstmyargument。Theexactlimitsofanygreatmovementwillnotbeboundedbyitspurpose。Theheatedwaxwhichyoudroponyourletterspreadsitselfbeyondthenecessitiesofyourseal。ThatthesenegroeswouldnothavecometotheWesternWorldwithoutcompulsion，orhavingcome，wouldnothaveworkedwithoutcompulsion，is，Iimagine，acknowledgedbyall。ThattheyhavemultipliedintheWesternWorldandhavetherebecomearacehappier，atanyrateinallthecircumstancesoftheirlife，thantheirstilluntamedkinsmeninAfrica，mustalsobeacknowledged。

Who，then，candaretowishthatallthathasbeendonebythenegroimmigrationshouldhaveremainedundone？

Thenameofslaveisodioustome。IfIknowmyselfIwouldnotownanegrothoughhecouldsweatgoldonmybehoof。IgloryinthatboldleapinthedarkwhichEnglandtookwithregardtoherownWestIndianslaves。ButIdonotseethelessclearlythedifficultyofthatpositioninwhichtheSouthernStateshavebeenplaced；andI

willnotcallthemwicked，impious，andabominable，becausetheynowholdbyslavery，asothernationshaveheldbyitatsomeperiodoftheircareer。Itistheirmisfortunethattheymustdosonow——now，whensolargeaportionoftheworldhasthrownoffthesystem，spurningasbaseandprofitlessalllaborthatisnotfree。Itistheirmisfortune，forhenceforththeymuststandalone，withsmallrankamongthenations，whereastheirbrethrenoftheNorthwillstill“flameintheforeheadofthemorningsky。“

WhenthepresentConstitutionoftheUnitedStateswaswritten——themeritofwhichmustprobablybegivenmainlytoMadisonandHamilton，MadisonfindingtheFrenchdemocraticelement，andHamiltontheEnglishconservativeelement——thisquestionofslaverywasdoubtlessagreattrouble。TheworditselfisnotmentionedintheConstitution。Itspeaksnotofaslave，butofa“personheldtoserviceorlabor。“Itneithersanctionsnorforbidsslavery。Itassumesnopowerinthematterofslavery；andunderit，atthepresentmoment，allCongressvotingtogether，withthefullconsentofthelegislaturesofthirty-threeStates，couldnotconstitutionallyputdownslaveryintheremainingthirty-fourthState。InfacttheConstitutionignoredthesubject。

But，nevertheless，Washington，andJeffersonfromwhomMadisonreceivedhisinspiration，wereopposedtoslavery。IdonotknowthatWashingtonevertookmuchactioninthematter，buthisexpressedopinionisonrecord。ButJeffersondidsothroughouthislife。BeforetheDeclarationofIndependenceheendeavoredtomakeslaveryillegalinVirginia。Inthishefailed，butlongafterward，whentheUnitedStateswasanation，hesucceededincarryingalawbywhichthefurtherimportationofslavesintoanyoftheStateswasprohibitedafteracertainyear——1820。Whenthislawwaspassed，theframersofitconsideredthatthegradualabolitionofslaverywouldbesecured。UptothatperiodthenegropopulationintheStateshadnotbeenself-maintained。AsnowinCuba，thenumbershadbeenkeptupbynewimportations，anditwascalculatedthattherace，whennotrecruitedfromAfrica，woulddieout。Thatthiscalculationwaswrongwenowknow，andthebreeding-groundsofVirginiahavebeentheresult。

Atthattimetherewerenocottonfields。AlabamaandMississippiwereoutlyingterritories。Louisianahadbeenrecentlypurchased，butwasnotyetincorporatedasaState。FloridastillbelongedtoSpain，andwasallbutunpopulated。OfTexasnomanhadyetheard。

OftheslaveStates，Virginia，thetwoCarolinas，andGeorgiawerealoneweddedtoslavery。Thenthemattermighthavebeenmanaged。

ButundertheConstitutionasithadbeenframed，andwiththeexistingpowersoftheseparateStates，therewasnoteventhenopenanywaybywhichslaverycouldbeabolishedotherthanbytheseparateactionoftheStates；norhastherebeenanysuchwayopenedsince。WithslaverytheseSouthernStateshavegrownandbecomefertile。Theplantershavethriven，andthecottonfieldshavespreadthemselves。AndthencameemancipationintheBritishislands。Undersuchcircumstancesandwithsuchalesson，coulditbeexpectedthattheSouthernStatesshouldlearntoloveabolition？

Itisvaintosaythatslaveryhasnotcausedsecession，andthatslaveryhasnotcausedthewar。That，andthatonly，hasbeentherealcauseofthisconflict，thoughothersmallcollateralissuesmaynowbeputforwardtobeartheblame。Thoseotherissueshavearisenfromthisquestionofslavery，andareincidentaltoitandapartofit。Massachusetts，asweallknow，isdemocraticinitstendencies，butSouthCarolinaisessentiallyaristocratic。Thisdifferencehascomeofslavery。Aslavecountry，whichhasprogressedfarinslavery，mustbearistocraticinitsnature——

aristocraticandpatriarchal。AlargeslaveownerfromGeorgiamaycallhimselfademocrat，maythinkthathereveresrepublicaninstitutions，andmaytalkwithAmericanhorrorofthethronesofEurope；buthemustinhisheartbeanaristocrat。We，inEngland，areapttospeakofrepublicaninstitutions，andofuniversalsuffrage，whichisperhapsthechiefofthem，asbelongingequallytoalltheStates。InSouthCarolinathereisnotandhasnotbeenanysuchthing。TheelectorsforthePresidenttherearechosennotbythepeople，butbythelegislature；andthevotesforthelegislaturearelimitedbyahighpropertyqualification。AhighpropertyqualificationisrequiredforamemberoftheHouseofRepresentativesinSouthCarolina；fourhundredfreeholdacresoflandandtennegroesisonequalification。Fivehundredpoundsclearofdebtisanotherqualification；for，whereasumofmoneyisthusnamed，itisgiveninEnglishmoney。RussiaandEnglandarenotmoreunlikeintheirpoliticalandsocialfeelingsthanaretherealslaveStatesandtherealfree-soilStates。Thegentlemenfromoneandfromtheothersideofthelinehavemettogetheronneutralground，andhavediscussedpoliticalmatterswithoutflyingfrequentlyateachother\'sthroats，whilethegreatquestiononwhichtheydifferedwasallowedtoslumber。Buttheawakeninghasbeencomingbydegrees，andnowtheSouthhadfeltthatitwascome。

OldJohnBrown，whodidhisbesttocreateaservileinsurrectionatHarper\'sFerry，hasbeencanonizedthroughtheNorthandWest，totheamazementandhorroroftheSouth。Thedecisioninthe“DredScott“case，givenbytheChiefJusticeoftheSupremeCourtoftheUnitedStates，hasbeenreceivedwithshoutsofexecrationthroughtheNorthandWest。TheSoutherngentryhavebeenUncle-Tommedintomadness。Itisnolightthingtobetolddailybyyourfellow-

citizens，byyourfellow-representatives，byyourfellow-senators，thatyouareguiltyoftheonedamningsinthatcannotbeforgiven。

Allthistheycouldpartlymoderate，partlyrebuke，andpartlybearaslongaspoliticalpowerremainedintheirhands；buttheyhavegraduallyfeltthatthatwasgoing，andwerepreparedtocuttheropeandrunassoonasitwasgone。

Such，accordingtomyideas，havebeenthecausesofthewar。ButI

cannotdefendtheSouth。Aslongastheycouldbesuccessfulintheirschemesforholdingthepoliticalpowerofthenation，theywerepreparedtoholdbythenation。Immediatelythoseschemesfailed，theywerepreparedtothrowthenationoverboard。Inthistherehasundoubtedlybeentreacheryaswellasrebellion。Hadthesepoliticiansbeenhonest——thoughthepoliticalgrowthofWashingtonhashardlyadmittedofpoliticalhonesty——buthadthesepoliticiansbeenevenordinarilyrespectableintheirdishonesty，theywouldhaveclaimedsecessionopenlybeforeCongress，whileyettheirownPresidentwasattheWhiteHouse。Congresswouldnothaveacceded。CongressitselfcouldnothaveaccededundertheConstitution；butawaywouldhavebeenfound，hadtheSouthernStatesbeenpersistentintheirdemand。Away，indeed，hasbeenfound；butithaslainthroughfireandwater，throughbloodandruin，throughtreasonandtheft，andthedownfallofnationalgreatness。Secessionwill，Ithink，beaccomplished，andtheSouthernConfederationofStateswillstandsomethinghigherintheworldthanMexicoandtherepublicsofCentralAmerica。Hercottonmonopolywillhavevanished，andherwealthwillhavebeenwasted。

IthinkthathistorywillagreewithmeinsayingthattheNorthernStateshadnoalternativebutwar。Whatconcessioncouldtheymake？

Couldtheypromisetoholdtheirpeaceaboutslavery？Andhadtheysopromised，wouldtheSouthhavebelievedthem？Theymighthaveconcededsecession；thatis，theymighthavegivenallthatwouldhavebeendemanded。Butwhatindividualchoosestoyieldtosuchdemands。Andifnotanindividual，thenwhatpeoplewilldoso？

But，intruth，theycouldnothaveyieldedallthatwasdemanded。

HadsecessionbeengrantedtoSouthCarolinaandGeorgia，VirginiawouldhavebeencoercedtojointhoseStatesbythenatureofherproperty，andwithVirginiaMarylandwouldhavegone，andWashington，thecapital。WhatmaybethefuturelineofdivisionbetweentheNorthandtheSouth，Iwillnotpretendtosay；butthatlinewillprobablybedictatedbytheNorth。ItmaystillbehopedthatMissouri，Kentucky，Virginia，andMarylandwillgowiththeNorth，andberescuedfromslavery。Buthadsecessionbeenyielded，hadtheprestigeofsuccessfallentothelotoftheSouth，thoseStatesmusthavebecomeSouthern。

Whileonthesubjectofslavery——forindiscussingthecauseofthewar，slaveryisthesubjectthatmustbediscussed——IcannotforbeartosayafewwordsaboutthenegroesoftheNorthAmericanStates。

TheRepublicanpartyoftheNorthisdividedintotwosections，ofwhichonemaybecalledabolitionist，andtheothernon-

abolitionist。Mr。Lincoln\'sgovernmentpresumesitselftobelongtothelatter，thoughitstendenciestowardabolitionareverystrong。

Theabolitionpartyisgrowinginstrengthdaily。ItisbutashorttimesinceWendellPhillipscouldnotlectureinBostonwithoutaguardofpolice。Now，atthismomentofmywriting，heisapopularhero。Theverymenwho，fiveyearssince，wereaccustomedtomakespeeches，strongaswordscouldframethem，againstabolition，arenowturninground，and，ifnotpreachingabolition，arepattingthebacksofthosewhodoso。IheardoneofMr。Lincoln\'scabinetdeclareoldJohnBrowntobeaheroandamartyr。AlltheProtestantGermansareabolitionists——andtheyhavebecomesostrongapoliticalelementinthecountrythatmanynowdeclarethatnofuturePresidentcanbeelectedwithouttheiraid。Theobjectisdeclaredboldly。Nolongpoliticalschemeisaskedfor，butinstantabolitioniswanted；abolitiontobedeclaredwhileyetthewarisraging。Lettheslavesofallrebelsbedeclaredfree；andallslaveownersinthesecedingStatesarerebels！

Onecannotbutaskwhatabolitionmeans，andtowhatitwouldlead。

Anyordinanceofabolitionnowpronouncedwouldnoteffecttheemancipationoftheslaves，butmightprobablyeffectaservileinsurrection。Iwillnotaccusethosewhoarepreachingthiscrusadeofanydesireforsofearfulascourgeontheland。Theyprobablycalculatethatanedictofabolitiononcegivenwouldbesomuchdonetowardtheultimatewinningofthebattle。Theyaremakingtheirhaywhiletheirsunshines。Butiftheycouldemancipatethosefourmillionslaves，inwhatwaywouldtheythentreatthem？Howwouldtheyfeedthem？Inwhatwaywouldtheytreattheruinedownersoftheslaves，andtheacresoflandwhichwouldlieuncultivated？Ofallsubjectswithwhichamanmaybecalledontodeal，itisthemostdifficult。ButaNewEnglandabolitionisttalksofitasthoughnomorewererequiredthananopenpathforhishumanitarianenergies。“Icouldarrangeitallto-morrowmorning，“agentlemansaidtome，whoiswellknownforhiszealinthiscause！

Arrangeitallto-morrowmorning——abolitionofslaveryhavingbecomeafactduringthenight！Ishouldnotenvythatgentlemanhismorning\'swork。Itwasbadenoughwithus；butwhatwereournumberscomparedwiththoseoftheSouthernStates？Wepaidapricefortheslaves，butnopriceistobepaidinthiscase。Thevalueofthepropertywouldprobablybelowlyestimatedat100l。apieceformen，women，andchildren，or4，000，000l。sterlingforthewholepopulation。TheyformthewealthoftheSouth；andiftheywerebought，whatshouldbedonewiththem？Theyarelikechildren。

Everyslaveownerinthecountry——everymanwhohashadaughttodowithslaves——willtellthesamestory。InMarylandandDelawarearemenwhohateslavery，whowouldbeonlytoohappytoenfranchisetheirslaves；butthenegroeswhohavebeenslavesarenotfitforfreedom。Inmanycases，practically，theycannotbeenfranchised。

Givethemtheirliberty，startingthemwellintheworldatwhatexpenseyouplease，andattheendofsixmonthstheywillcomebackuponyourhandsforthemeansofsupport。Everythingmustbedoneforthem。Theyexpectfoodandclothes，andinstructionastoeverysimpleactoflife，asdochildren。Thenegrodomesticservantishandyathisownwork；noservantmoreso；buthecannotgobeyondthat。Hedoesnotcomprehendtheobjectandpurportofcontinuedindustry。Ifhehavemoney，hewillplaywithit——hewillamusehimselfwithit。Ifhehavenone，hewillamusehimselfwithoutit。

Hisworkislikeaschool-boy\'stask；heknowsitmustbedone，butnevercomprehendsthatthedoingofitistheveryendandessenceofhislife。Heisachildinallthings，andtheextentofprudentialwisdomtowhichheeverattainsistodisdainemancipationandclingtothesecurityofhisbondage。Itistrueenoughthatslaveryhasbeenacurse。Whatevermayhavebeenitseffectonthenegroes，ithasbeenadeadlycurseuponthewhitemasters。

Thepreachingofabolitionduringthewaristomeeitherthedeadliestofsinsorthevainestoffollies。Itsonlyimmediateresultpossiblewouldbeservileinsurrection。Thatissomanifestlyatrocious，awishforitwouldbesohellish，thatIdonotpresumethepreachersofabolitiontoentertainit。Butifthatbenotmeant，itmustbeintendedthatanactofemancipationshouldbecarriedthroughouttheslaveStates——eitherintheirseparationfromtheNorth，oraftertheirsubjectionandconsequentreunionwiththeNorth。AsregardstheStateswhileinsecession，theNorthcannotoperateupontheirslavesanymorethanEnglandcanoperateontheslavesofCuba。Butifareunionistobeaprecursorofemancipation，surelythatreunionshouldbefirsteffected。A

decisionintheNorthernandWesternmindonsuchasubjectcannotassistinobtainingthatreunion，butmustmilitateagainstthepracticabilityofsuchanobject。ThisissowellunderstoodthatMr。Lincolnandhisgovernmentdonotdaretocallthemselvesabolitionists。*

*PresidentLincolnhasproposedaplanfortheemancipationofslavesintheborderStates，whichgivescompensationtotheowners。

HisdoingsoprovesthatheregardspresentemancipationintheGulfStatesasquiteoutofthequestion。ItalsoprovesthathelooksforwardtotherecoveryoftheborderStatesfortheNorth，butthathedoesnotlookforwardtotherecoveryoftheGulfStates。

Abolition，intruth，isapoliticalcry。Itisthebannerofdefianceopposedtosecession。AsthedifferencesbetweentheNorthandSouthhavegrownwithyears，andhaveswelledtotheproportionsofnationalantipathy，Southernnullificationhasamplifieditselfintosecession，andNorthernfree-soilprincipleshaveburstintothisgrowthofabolition。Menhavenotcalculatedtheresults。

CharmingpicturesaredrawnforyouofthenegroinastateofUtopianbliss，owninghisownhoeandeatinghisownhog；inaparadise，whereeverythingisboughtandsold，excepthiswife，hislittleones，andhimself。Buttheenfranchisednegrohasalwaysthrownawayhishoe，haseatenanyman\'shogbuthisown，andhastoooftensoldhisdaughterforadollarwhenanysuchmarkethasbeenopentohim。

IconfessthatthiscryofabolitionhasbeenmadepeculiarlydispleasingtomebythefactthattheNorthernabolitionistisbynomeanswillingtogiveeventothenegrowhoisalreadyfreethatpositionintheworldwhichalonemighttendtoraisehiminthescaleofhumanbeings——ifanythingcansoraisehimandmakehimfitforfreedom。Theabolitionistsholdthatthenegroisthewhiteman\'sequal。Idonot。Isee，orthinkthatIsee，thatthenegroisthewhiteman\'sinferiorthroughlawsofnature。Thatheisnotmentallyfittocopewithwhitemen——Ispeakofthefull-bloodednegro——andthathemustfillapositionsimplyservile。Buttheabolitionistdeclareshimtobethewhiteman\'sequal。Butyet，whenhehashimathiselbow，hetreatshimwithascornwhicheventhenegrocanhardlyendure。Iwillgivehimpoliticalequality，butnotsocialequality，saystheabolitionist。Buteveninthisheisuntrue。AblackmanmayvoteinNewYork，buthecannotvoteunderthesamecircumstancesasawhiteman。Heissubjectedtoqualificationswhichintruthdebarhimfromthepoll。Awhitemanvotesbymanhoodsuffrage，providinghehasbeenforoneyearaninhabitantofhisState；butamanofcolormusthavebeenforthreeyearsacitizenoftheState，andmustownapropertyqualificationof50l。freeofdebt。Butpoliticalequalityisnotwhatsuchmenwant，norindeedisitsocialequality。Itissocialtoleranceandsocialsympathy，andthesearedeniedtothenegro。AnAmericanabolitionistwouldnotsitattablewithanegro。HemightdosoinEnglandatthehouseofanEnglishduchess，butinhisowncountrytheproposalofsuchacompanionwouldbeaninsulttohim。Hewillnotsitwithhiminapubliccarriage，ifhecanavoidit。InNewYorkIhaveseenspecialstreetcarsforcoloredpeople。Theabolitionistisstruckwithhorrorwhenhethinksthatamanandabrothershouldbeaslave；butwhenthemanandthebrotherhasbeenmadefree，heisregardedwithloathingandcontempt。AllthisI

cannotseewithequanimity。Thereisfalsehoodinitfromthebeginningtotheend。Theslave，asarule，iswelltreated——getsallhewantsandalmostallhedesires。Thefreenegro，asarule，isilltreated，anddoesnotgetthatconsiderationwhichalonemightputhimintheworldlypositionforwhichhisadvocatedeclareshimtobefit。Itisfalsethroughout，thispreaching。

Thenegroisnotthewhiteman\'sequalbynature。ButtothefreenegrointheNorthernStatesthisinequalityisincreasedbythewhiteman\'shardnesstohim。

InaformerbookwhichIwrotesomefewyearssince，IexpressedanopinionastotheprobabledestinyofthisraceintheWestIndies。

Iwillnotnowgooverthatquestionagain。Ithendividedtheinhabitantsofthoseislandsintothreeclasses——thewhite，theblack，andthecolored，takinganomenclaturewhichIfoundthereprevailing。BycoloredmenIalludedtomulattoes，andallthoseofmixedEuropeanandAfricanblood。Theword“colored，“intheStates，seemstoapplytothewholenegrorace，whetherfull-bloodedorhalf-blooded。IalludetothisnowbecauseIwishtoexplainthat，inspeakingofwhatIconceivetobetheintellectualinferiorityofthenegrorace，Ialludetothoseofpurenegrodescent——orofdescentsonearlypureastomakethenegroelementmanifestlypredominant。IntheWestIndies，whereIhadmoreopportunityofstudyingthesubject，Ialwaysbelievedmyselfabletotellanegrofromacoloredman。Indeed，theclassesaretoagreatdegreedistinctthere，thegreaterportionoftheretailtradeofthecountrybeinginthehandsofthecoloredpeople。ButintheStatesIhavebeenabletomakenosuchdistinction。OneseesgenerallyneithertherichyellowoftheWestIndianmulattonorthedeepoilyblackoftheWestIndiannegro。Theprevailinghueisadry，dingybrown——almostdustyinitsdryness。Ihaveobservedbutlittledifferencemadebetweenthenegroandthehalf-caste——andnodifferenceintheactualtreatment。IhavenevermetinAmericansocietyanymanorwomaninwhoseveinstherecanhavebeenpresumedtobeanytaintofAfricanblood。InJamaicatheyaredailytobefoundinsociety。

EveryEnglishmanprobablylooksforwardtotheaccomplishmentofabolitionofslaveryatsomefutureday。IfeelassureofitasI

doofthefinaljudgment。Whenorhowitshallcome，Iwillnotattempttoforetell。Themodewhichseemstopromisethesurestsuccessandtheleastpresentorfutureinconvenience，wouldbeanedictenfranchisingallfemalechildrenbornafteracertaindate，andalltheirchildren。Undersuchanarrangementthenegropopulationwouldprobablydieoutslowly——veryslowly。WhatmightthenbethefateofthecottonfieldsoftheGulfStates，whoshalldaretosay？ItmaybethatcooliesfromIndiaandfromChinawillthenhavetakentheplaceofthenegrothere，astheyprobablywillhavedonealsoinGuianaandtheWestIndies。

CHAPTERIV。

WASHINGTONTOST。LOUIS。

ThoughIhadfeltWashingtontobedisagreeableasacity，yetIwasalmostsorrytoleaveitwhenthedayofmydeparturecame。Ihadallowedmyselfamonthformysojourninthecapital，andIhadstayedamouthtotheday。Thencamethetroubleofpackingup，thenecessityofcallingonalonglistofacquaintancesoneafteranother，thefeelingthat，badasWashingtonmightbe，Imightbegoingtoplacesthatwereworse，aconvictionthatIshouldgetbeyondthereachofmyletters，andasortofaffectionwhichIhadacquiredformyrooms。Mylandlord，beingacoloredman，toldmethathewassorryIwasgoing。WouldInotremain？WouldIcomebacktohim？HadIbeencomfortable？Onlyforsoandsoorsoandso，hewouldhavedonebetterforme。NowhiteAmericancitizen，occupyingthepositionoflandlord，wouldhavecondescendedtosuchcomfortablewords。Iknewthemandidnotintruthwantmetostay，asaladyandgentlemanwerewaitingtogointhemomentIwentout；

butIdidnotthelessvaluetheassurance。OnehungersandthirstsaftersuchcivilwordsamongAmericancitizensofthisclass。Theclerksandmanagersathotels，theofficialsatrailwaystations，thecashiersatbanks，thewomenintheshops——ah！theyaretheworstofall。AnAmericanwomanwhoisboundbyherpositiontoserveyou——whoispaidinsomeshapetosupplyyourwants，whethertosellyouabitofsoaporbringyouatowelinyourbed-roomatahotel——is，Ithink，ofallhumancreatures，themostinsolent。I

certainlyhadafeelingofregretatpartingwithmycoloredfriend——

andsomeregretalsoasregardsafewthatwerewhite。

AsIdrovedownPennsylvaniaAvenue，throughtheslushandmud，andsaw，perhapsforthelasttime，thosewretchedlydirtyhorsesentrieswhohadrefusedtoallowmetotrotthroughthestreets，I

almostwishedthatIcouldseemoreofthem。Howabsurdtheylooked，withawholekitofrattletrapsstrappedontheirhorses\'

backsbehindthem——blankets，coats，canteens，coilsofrope，and，alwaysatthetopofeverythingelse，atinpot！Nodoubtthesethingsareallnecessarytoamountedsentry，ortheywouldnothavebeenthere；butitalwaysseemedasthoughthehorsehadbeenloadedgipsy-fashion，inamannerthatImayperhapsbestdescribeashiggledy-piggledy，andthattherewasawantofmilitaryprecisioninthepacking。Themanwouldhavelookedmoregraceful，andthesoldiermorewarlike，hadthepannikinbeenmadetoassumesomerigidlyfixedpositioninsteadofdanglingamongtheropes。Thedrawnsaber，too，neverconsortedwellwiththedirtyoutsidewoolenwrapperwhichgenerallyhungloosefromtheman\'sneck。Heavenknows，Ididnotbegrudgehimhiscomforterinthatcoldweather，orevenhislong，uncombedshockofhair；butIthinkhemighthavebeenmademorespruce，andIamsurethathecouldnothavelookedmoreuncomfortable。AsIwent，however，Ifeltforhimasortofaffection，andwishedinmyheartofheartsthathemightsoonbeenabledtoreturntosomemorecongenialemployment。

IwentoutbytheCapitol，andsawthatalso，asIthenbelieved，forthelasttime。Withallitsfaultsitisagreatbuilding，and，thoughunfinished，iseffective；itsverysizeandpretensiongiveitacertainmajesty。Whatwillbethefateofthatvastpile，andofthoseothercostlypublicedificesatWashington，shouldtheSouthsucceedwhollyintheirpresententerprise？IfVirginiashouldeverbecomeapartoftheSouthernrepublic，WashingtoncannotremainthecapitaloftheNorthernrepublic。InsuchcaseitwouldbealmostbettertoletMarylandgoalso，sothatthefuturedestinyofthatunfortunatecitymaynotbeasourceoftrouble，andastumbling-blockofopprobrium。EvenifVirginiabesaved，itspositionwillbemostunfortunate。

Ifancythattherailroadsinthosedaysmusthavebeendoingaveryprosperousbusiness。FromNewYorktoPhiladelphia，thenceontoBaltimore，andagaintoWashington，Ihadfoundthecarsfull；sofullthatsundrypassengerscouldnotfindseats。Now，onmyreturntoBaltimore，theywereagaincrowded。Thestationswereallcrowded。Luggagetrainsweregoinginandoutasfastastherailscouldcarrythem。Amongthepassengersalmosthalfweresoldiers。

Ipresumethattheseweremengoingonfurlough，oronspecialoccasions；fortheregimentswereofcoursenotreceivedbyordinarypassengertrains。AboutthistimeareturnwascalledforbyCongressofallthemoneyspaidbythegovernment，onaccountofthearmy，tothelinesbetweenNewYorkandWashington。WhetherornoitwaseverfurnishedIdidnothear；butitwasopenlystatedthatthecolonelsofregimentsreceivedlargegratuitiesfromcertainrailwaycompaniesfortheregimentspassingovertheirlines。

Chargesofasimilarnatureweremadeagainstofficers，contractors，quartermasters，paymasters，generals，andcabinetministers。Iamnotpreparedtosaythatanyofthesemenhaddirtyhands。Itwasnotformetomakeinquiriesonsuchmatters。Butthecontinuanceanduniversalityoftheaccusationsweredreadful。Wheneverybodyissuspectedofbeingdishonest，dishonestyalmostceasestoberegardedasdisgraceful。

Iwillalludetoachargemadeagainstonememberofthecabinet，becausethecircumstancesofthecasewereallacknowledgedandproved。Thisgentlemanemployedhiswife\'sbrother-in-lawtobuyships，andtheagentsoemployedpocketedabout20，000l。bythetransactioninsixmonths。Theexcusemadewasthatthisprofitwasinaccordancewiththeusualpracticeoftheship-dealingtrade，andthatitwaspaidbytheownerswhosold，andnotbythegovernmentwhichbought。Butinsovastanagencytheordinaryrateofprofitonsuchbusinessbecameanenormoussum；andthegentlemanwhomadethepleamustsurelyhaveunderstoodthatthat20，000l。wasinfactpaidbythegovernment。Itisthepurchaser，andnottheseller，whoinfactpaysallsuchfees。Thequestionisthis:Shouldthegovernmenthavepaidsovastasumforoneman\'sworkforsixmonths？Andifso，wasitwellthatthatsumshouldgointothepocketofanearrelativeoftheministerwhosespecialbusinessitwastoprotectthegovernment？

Americanprivatesoldiersarenotpleasantfellow-travelers。Theyareloudandnoisy，andswearquiteasmuchasthearmycouldpossiblyhavesworninFlanders。Theyare，moreover，verydirty；

andeachman，withhislong，thickgreat-coat，takesupmorespacethanisintendedtobeallottedtohim。OfcourseIfeltthatifI

chosetotravelinacountrywhileithadsuchapieceofbusinessonitshands，Icouldnotexpectthateverythingshouldbefoundinexactorder。Thematterforwonder，perhaps，wasthattheordinaryaffairsoflifeweresolittledisarranged，andthatanytravelingatallwaspracticable。Nevertheless，thefactremainsthatAmericanprivatesoldiersarenotagreeablefellow-travelers。

ItwasmypresentintentiontogoduewestacrossthecountryintoMissouri，skirting，asitwere，thelineofthewarwhichhadnowextendeditselffromtheAtlanticacrossintoKansas。Therewereatthistimethreemainarmies——thatofthePotomac，asthearmyofVirginiawascalled，ofwhichMcClellanheldthecommand；thatofKentucky，underGeneralBuell，whowasstationedatLouisvilleontheOhio；andthearmyontheMississippi，whichhadbeenunderFremont，andofwhichGeneralHallecknowheldthecommand。TothesewereopposedthethreerebelarmiesofBeauregard，inVirginia；ofJohnston，onthebordersofKentuckyandTennessee；andofPrice，inMissouri。TherewasalsoafourtharmyinKansas，westofMissouri，underGeneralHunter；andwhileIwasinWashingtonanothergeneral，supposedbysometobethe“comingman，“wassentdowntoKansastoparticipateinGeneralHunter\'scommand。ThiswasGeneralJimLane，whoresignedaseatintheSenateinorderthathemightundertakethismilitaryduty。WhenhereachedKansas，havingonhisroutemadesundryviolentabolitionspeeches，andproclaimedhisintentionofsweepingslaveryoutoftheSouthwesternStates，hecametologgerheadswithhissuperiorofficerrespectingtheirrelativepositions。

OnmyarrivalatBaltimore，Ifoundtheplaceknee-deepinmudandslushandhalf-meltedsnow。Itwasthenraininghard，——rainingdirt，notwater，asitsometimesdoes。Worseweatherforsoldiersoutintentscouldnotbeimagined——norformenwhowerenotsoldiers，butwho，nevertheless，werecompelledtoleavetheirhouses。IonlyremainedatBaltimoreoneday，andthenstartedagain，leavingtherethegreaterpartofmybaggage。Ihadavaguehope——ahopewhichIhardlyhopedtorealize——thatImightbeabletogetthroughtotheSouth。AtanyrateImademyselfreadyforthechancebymakingmytravelingimpedimentsaslightaspossible，andstartedfromBaltimore，preparedtoendureallthediscomfortwhichlightnessofbaggageentails。MyroutelayovertheAlleghenies，byPittsburgandCincinnati，andmyfirststoppingplacewasatHarrisburg，thepoliticalcapitalofPennsylvania。

ThereisnothingspecialatHarrisburgtoarrestanytraveler；butthelocallegislatureoftheStatewasthensitting，andIwasdesirousofseeingtheSenateandRepresentativesofatanyrateoneState，duringitsperiodofvitality。

InPennsylvaniatheGeneralAssembly，asthejointlegislatureiscalled，sitseveryyear，commencingtheirworkearlyinJanuary，andcontinuingtillitbefinished。Theusualperiodofsittingseemstobeabouttenweeks。InthemajorityofStates，thelegislatureonlysitseveryotheryear。InthisStateitsitseveryyear，andtheRepresentativesareelectedannually。TheSenatorsareelectedforthreeyears，athirdofthebodybeingchoseneachyear。Thetwochamberswereugly，convenientrooms，arrangedverymuchafterthefashionofthehallsofCongressatWashington。Eachmemberhadhisowndeskandhisownchair。Theywereplacedintheshapeofahorseshoe，facingthechairman，beforewhomsatthreeclerks。InneitherhousedidIhearanysetspeech。ThevoicesoftheSpeakerandoftheClerksoftheHouseswereheardmorefrequentlythanthoseofthemembers；andthebusinessseemedtobedoneinadull，serviceable，methodicalmanner，likelytobeusefultothecountry，andveryuninterestingtothegentlemenengaged。IndeedatWashingtonalso，inCongress，itseemedtomethattherewasmuchlessofsetspeechesthaninourHouseofCommons。Withustherearecertainmenwhomitseemsimpossibletoputdown，andbywhomthetimeofParliamentisoccupiedfromnighttonight，withadvantagetonooneandwithsatisfactiontononebutthemselves。I

donotthinkthattheevilprevailstothesameextentinAmerica，eitherinCongressorintheStatelegislatures。AsregardsWashington，thisgoodresultmaybeassistedbyasalutarypracticewhich，asIwasassured，prevailsthere。Amembergetshisspeechprintedatthegovernmentcost，andsendsitdownfreebyposttohisconstituents，withouttroublingeithertheHousewithhearingitorhimselfwithspeakingit。Icannotbutthinkthatthepracticemightbecopiedwithsuccessonoursideofthewater。

TheappearanceofthemembersofthelegislatureofPennsylvaniadidnotimpressmeveryfavorably。Idonotknowwhyweshouldwishalegislatortobeneatinhisdress，andcomely，insomedegree，inhispersonalappearance。Thereisnogoodreason，perhaps，whytheyshouldhavecleanershirtsthantheiroutsidebrethren，orhavebeenmoreparticularintheuseofsoapandwater，andbrushandcomb。

ButIhaveanideathatifeverourownParliamentbecomesdirty，itwillloseitsprestige；andIcannotbutthinkthattheParliamentofPennsylvaniawouldgainanaccessionofdignitybysomeslightlyincreaseddevotiontotheGraces。IsawinthetwoHousesbutonegentleman(aSenator)wholookedlikeaQuaker；butevenhewasaveryuntidyQuaker。

IpaidmyrespectstotheGovernor，andfoundhimbrisklyemployedinarrangingtheappointmentsofofficers。Alltheregimentalappointmentstothevolunteerregiments——andthatispracticallytothewholebodyofthearmy*——aremadebytheStateinwhichtheregimentsaremustered。Whentheaffaircommenced，thecaptainsandlieutenantswerechosenbythemen；butitwasfoundthatthiswouldnotdo。WhentheskeletonofaStatemilitiaonlywasrequired，suchanarrangementwaspopularandnotessentiallyinjurious；butnowthatwarhadbecomeareality，andthatvolunteerswererequiredtoobeydiscipline，someothermodeofpromotionwasfoundnecessary。AsfarasIcouldunderstand，theappointmentswereinthehandsoftheStateGovernor，whohoweverwasexpected，intheselectionofthesuperiorofficers，tobeguidedbytheexpressedwishesoftheregiment，whennoobjectionexistedtosuchachoice。

InthepresentinstancetheGovernor\'scoursewasverythorny。

Certainunfinishedregimentswereintheactofbeingamalgamated——

twoperfectregimentsbeingmadeupfromperhapsfiveimperfectregiments，andsoon。Butthoughtheprivateshadnotbeenforthcomingtothefullnumberforeachexpectedregiment，therehadbeennosuchdearthofofficers，andconsequentlythepresentoperationconsistedinreducingtheirnumber。

*Thearmyatthistimeconsistednominallyof660，000men，ofwhomonly20，000wereregulars。

NothingcanbemuchuglierthantheStateHouseatHarrisburg，butitcommandsamagnificentviewofoneofthevalleysintowhichtheAlleghanyMountainsisbroken。Harrisburgisimmediatelyundertherange，probablyatitsfinestpoint，andtherailwayrunningwestfromthetowntoPittsburg，Cincinnati，andChicago，passesrightoverthechain。Thelinehasbeenmagnificentlyengineered，andthesceneryisverygrand。IwentovertheAlleghaniesinmidwinter，whentheywerecoveredwithsnow，butevenwhensoseentheywereveryfine。TheviewdownthevalleyfromAltoona，apointnearthesummit，mustinsummerbeexcessivelylovely。IstoppedatAltoonaonenight，withtheobjectofgettingaboutamongthehillsandmakingthebestofthewinterviewbutIfounditimpossibletowalk。Thesnowhadbecomefrozenandwaslikeglass。Icouldnotprogressamileinanyway。WithinfinitelaborIclimbedtothetopofonelittlehill，andwhentherebecameawarethatthedescentwouldbeverymuchmoredifficult。Ididgetdown，butshouldnotchoosetodescribethemannerinwhichIaccomplishedthedescent。

InrunningdownthemountainstoPittsburganaccidentoccurredwhichinanyothercountrywouldhavethrowntheengineofftheline，andhavereducedthecarriagesbehindtheenginetoaheapofruins。Buthereithadnoothereffectthanthatofdelayingusforthreeorfourhours。Thetireofoneoftheheavydrivingwheelsflewoff，andintheshockthebodyofthewheelitselfwasbroken，onespokeandaportionofthecircumferenceofthewheelwascarriedaway，andthesteam-chamberwasrippedopen。Neverthelessthetrainwaspulledup，neithertheenginenoranyofthecarriagesgotofftheline，andthemeninchargeofthetrainseemedtothinkverylightlyofthematter。Iwasamusedtoseehowlittlewasmadeoftheaffairbyanyofthepassengers。InEnglandadelayofthreehourswouldinitselfproduceagreatamountofgrumbling，oratleastmanysignsofdiscomfortandtemporaryunhappiness。Butherenoonesaidaword。Someoftheyoungermengotoutandlookedattheruinedwheel；butthemostofthepassengerskepttheirseats，chewedtheirtobacco，andwenttosleep。InallsuchmattersanAmericanismuchmorepatientthananEnglishman。Tositquiet，withoutspeech，andruminateinsomecontortedpositionofbodycomestohimbynature。OnthisoccasionIdidnothearawordofcomplaint——noryetawordofsurpriseorthankfulnessthattheaccidenthadbeenattendedwithnoseriousresult。“Ihavegotafurloughfortendays，“onesoldiersaidtome，“andIhavemissedeveryconnectionallthroughfromWashingtonhere。IshallhavejusttimetoturnroundandgobackwhenIgethome。“Buthedidnotseemtobeinanywaydissatisfied。Hehadnotreferredtohisrelativeswhenhespokeof“missinghisconnections，“buttohiswantofgoodfortuneasregardedrailwaytraveling。HehadreachedBaltimoretoolateforthetrainontoHarrisburg，andHarrisburgtoolateforthetrainontoPittsburg。NowhemustagainreachPittsburgtoolateforhisfurtherjourney。Butneverthelessheseemedtobewellpleasedwithhisposition。

PittsburgistheMerthyr-TydvilofPennsylvania——orperhapsIshouldbetterdescribeitasanamalgamationofSwansea，Merthyr-Tydvil，andSouthShields。Itis，withoutexception，theblackestplacewhichIeversaw。ThethreeEnglishtownswhichIhavenamedareverydirty，butalltheircombinedsootandgreaseanddinginessdonotequalthatofPittsburg。Asregardssceneryitisbeautifullysituated，beingatthefootoftheAlleghanyMountains，andatthejunctureofthetworiversMonongahelaandAlleghany。Here，atthetown，theycometogether，andformtheRiverOhio。Nothingcanbemorepicturesquethanthesite，forthespursofthemountainscomedowncloseroundthetown，andtheriversarebroadandswift，andcanbeseenformilesfromheightswhichmaybereachedinashortwalk。Eventhefilthandwondrousblacknessoftheplacearepicturesquewhenlookeddownuponfromabove。Thetopsofthechurchesarevisible，andsomeofthelargerbuildingsmaybepartiallytracedthroughthethick，brown，settledsmoke。Butthecityitselfisburiedinadensecloud。TheatmospherewasespeciallyheavywhenIwasthere，andtheeffectwasprobablyincreasedbythegeneraldarknessoftheweather。TheMonongahelaiscrossedbyafinebridge，andontheothersidethegroundrisesatonce，almostwiththerapidityofaprecipice；sothatacommandingviewisobtaineddownuponthetownandthetworiversandthedifferentbridges，fromaheightimmediatelyabovethem。I

wasnevermoreinlovewithsmokeanddirtthanwhenIstoodhereandwatchedthedarknessofnightcloseinuponthefloatingsootwhichhoveredoverthehouse-topsofthecity。IcannotsaythatI

sawthesunset，fortherewasnosun。IshouldsaythatthesunnevershoneatPittsburg，asforeignerswhovisitLondoninNovemberdeclarethatthesunnevershinesthere。

WalkingalongtheriversideIcountedthirty-twosteamers，allbeachedupontheshore，withtheirbowstowardtheland——largeboats，capableprobablyofcarryingfromonetotwohundredpassengerseach，andaboutthreehundredtonsofmerchandise。OninquiryIfoundthatmanyofthesewerenotnowatwork。Theywererestingidle，thetradedowntheMississippibelowSt。Louishavingbeencutoffbythewar。Manyofthem，however，werestillrunning，thepassagedowntheriverbeingopentoWheelinginVirginia，toPortsmouth，Cincinnati，andthewholeofSouthOhio，toLouisvilleinKentucky，andtoCairoinIllinois，wheretheOhiojoinstheMississippi。Theamountoftrafficcarriedonbytheseboatswhilethecountrywasatpeacewithinitselfwasverygreat，andconclusiveastotheincreasingprosperityofthepeople。ItseemsthateverybodytravelsinAmerica，andthatnothingisthoughtofdistance。Ayoungmanwillstepintoacarandsitbesideyou，withthateasycarelessairwhichiscommontoarailwaypassengerinEnglandwhoispassingfromonestationtothenext；andonconversingwithhimyouwillfindthatheisgoingsevenoreighthundredmiles。Heissuppliedwithfreshnewspapersthreeorfourtimesadayashepassesbythetownsatwhichtheyarepublished；

heeatsalargeassortmentofgum-dropsandapples，andisquiteasmuchathomeasinhisownhouse。Onboardtheriverboatsitisthesamewithhim，withthisexception，thatwhentherehecangetwhiskywhenhewantsit。Heknowsnothingoftheennuioftraveling，andneverseemstolongfortheendofhisjourney，astravelersdowithus。Shouldhisboatcometogriefupontheriver，andlaybyforadayoranight，itdoesnotintheleastdisconcerthim。Heseatshimselfuponthreechairs，takesabiteoftobacco，thrustshishandintohistrowserspockets，andrevelsinanelysiumofhisown。

Iwastoldthatthestockholdersintheseboatswereinabadwayatthepresenttime。Therewerenodividendsgoing。Thesamestorywasrepeatedastomanyandmanyaninvestment。Wherethewarcreatedbusiness，asithaddoneonsomeofthemainlinesofrailroadandinsomespecialtowns，moneywaspassingveryfreely；

butawayfromthis，ruinseemedtohavefallenontheenterpriseofthecountry。Menwerenotbrokenhearted，norweretheyevenmelancholy；buttheyweresimplyruined。ThatisnothingintheStates，solongastheruinedmanhasthemeanslefttohimofsupplyinghisdailywantstillhecanstarthimselfagaininlife。

ItisalmostthenormalconditionoftheAmericanmaninbusiness；

andthereforeIaminclinedtothinkthatwhenthiswarisover，andthingsbegintosettlethemselvesintonewgrooves，commercewillrecoverherselfmorequicklytherethanshewoulddoamonganyotherpeople。Itissocommonathingtohearofanenterprisethathasneverpaidadollarofinterestontheoriginaloutlay——ofhotels，canals，railroads，banks，blocksofhouses，etc。thatneverpaideveninthehappydaysofpeace——thatoneistemptedtodisregardtheabsenceofdividends，andtobelievethatsuchatriflingaccidentwillnotactasanycheckonfuturespeculation。InnocountryhaspecuniaryruinbeensocommonasintheStates；buttheninnocountryispecuniaryruinsolittleruinous。“Wearearecuperativepeople，“awest-countrygentlemanoncesaidtome。I

doubtedtheproprietyofhisword，butIacknowledgedthetruthofhisassertion。

PittsburgandAlleghany——whichlatterisatownsimilarinitsnaturetoPittsburg，ontheothersideoftheriverofthesamename——regardthemselvesasplacesapart；buttheyareineffectoneandthesamecity。Theyliveunderthesameblanketofsoot，whichiswovenbythejointeffortsofthetwoplaces。Theirunitedpopulationis135，000，ofwhichAlleghanyownsabout50，000。Theindustryofthetownsisofthatsortwhicharisesfromaunionofcoalandironinthevicinity。ThePennsylvaniancoalfieldsarethemostprolificintheUnion；andPittsburgisthereforegreat，exactlyasMerthyr-TydvilandBirminghamaregreat。ButthefounderyworkatPittsburgismorenearlyalliedtotheheavy，roughworksoftheWelshcoalmetropolisthantothefinishandpolishofBirmingham。

“Whycannotyouconsumeyourownsmoke？“Iaskedagentlemanthere。

“Fuelissocheapthatitwouldnotpay，“heanswered。Hisideaoftheadvantageofconsumingsmokewasconfinedtothequestionofitspayingasasimpleoperationinitself。Theconsequentcleanlinessandimprovementintheatmospherehadnotenteredintohiscalculations。Anysuchresultmightbeafortuitousbenefit，butwasnotofsufficientimportancetomakeanyeffortinthatdirectionexpedientonitsownaccount。“Coalwasburned，“hesaid，“inthefounderiesatsomethinglessthantwodollarsaton；whilethatwasthecase，itcouldnotanswerthepurposeofanyiron-

foundertoputupanapparatusfortheconsumptionofsmoke？“Ididnotpursuetheargumentanyfurther，asIperceivedthatwewerelookingatthematterfromtwodifferentpointsofview。

Everythinginthehotelwasblack；notblacktotheeye，fortheeyeteachesitselftodiscriminatecolorsevenwhenloadedwithdirt，butblacktothetouch。OncomingoutofatubofwatermyfoottookanimpressfromthecarpetexactlyasitwouldhavedonehadI

trodbarefootedonapathlaidwithsoot。IthoughtthatIwasturningnegroupward，tillIputmywethanduponthecarpet，andfoundthattheresultwasthesame。Andyetthecarpetwasgreentotheeye——adull，dingygreen，butstillgreen。“Youshouldn\'tdampyourfeet，“amansaidtome，towhomImentionedthecatastrophe。

Certainly，PittsburgisthedirtiestplaceIeversaw；butitis，asIsaidbefore，verypicturesqueinitsdirtwhenlookedatfromabovetheblanket。

FromPittsburgIwentonbytraintoCincinnati，andwassoonintheStateofOhio。IconfessthatIhaveneverfeltanygreatregardforPennsylvania。Ithasalwayshad，inmyestimation，alowcharacterforcommercialhonesty，andacertainflavorofpretentioushypocrisy。ThisprobablyhasbeenmuchowingtotheacerbityandpungencyofSydneySmith\'swittydenunciationsagainstthedrab-coloredState。Itisnotedforrepudiationofitsowndebts，andforsharpnessinexactionofitsownbargains。Ithasbeenalwayssmartinbanking。IthasgivenBuchananasaPresidenttothecountry，andCameronasaSecretaryofWartothegovernment！

WhenthebattleofBull\'sRunwastobefought，Pennsylvaniansoldierswerethemenwho，onthatday，threwdowntheirarmsbecausethethreemonths\'termforwhichtheyhadbeenenlistedwasthenexpired！Pennsylvaniadoesnot，inmymind，standonaparwithMassachusetts，Connecticut，NewYork，Illinois，orVirginia。

WeareapttoconnectthenameofBenjaminFranklinwithPennsylvania，butFranklinwasaBostonman。Nevertheless，Pennsylvaniaisrichandprosperous。IndeeditbearsallthosemarkswhichQuakersgenerallyleavebehindthem。

IhadsomelittlepersonalfeelinginvisitingCincinnati，becausemymotherhadlivedthereforsometime，andhadtherebeenconcernedinacommercialenterprise，bywhichnoone，Ibelieve，madeanygreatsumofmoney。BetweenthirtyandfortyyearsagoshebuiltabazaarinCincinnati，which，Iwasassuredbythepresentownerofthehouse，wasatthetimeofitserectionconsideredtobethegreatbuildingofthetown。Ithasbeensadlyeclipsednow，andbynomeansrearsitsheadproudlyamongthegreatblocksaroundit。

Ithadbecomea“Physio-medicalInstitute“whenIwasthere，andwasunderthedominionofaquackdoctorononeside，andofacollegeofrightsofwomenfemalemedicalprofessorsontheother。“I

believe，sir，nomanorwomaneveryetmadeadollarinthatbuilding；andasforrent，Idon\'tevenexpectit。“Suchwastheaccountgivenoftheunfortunatebazaarbythepresentproprietor。

Cincinnatihaslongbeenknownasagreattown——conspicuousamongalltownsforthenumberofhogswhicharetherekilled，salted，andpacked。ItisthegreathogmetropolisoftheWesternStates；butCincinnatihasnotgrownwiththerapidityofothertowns。Ithasnow170，000inhabitants，butthenitgotanearlystart。St。Louis，whichiswestofitagainneartheconfluenceoftheMissouriandMississippi，hasgoneaheadofit。CincinnatistandsontheOhioRiver，separatedbyaferryfromKentucky，whichisaslaveState，Ohioitselfisafree-soilState。Whenthetimecomesforarrangingthelineofdivision，ifsuchtimeshallevercome，itwillbeveryhardtosaywhereNorthernfeelingendsandwhereSouthernwishescommence。NewportandCovington，whichareinKentucky，aresuburbsofCincinnati；andyetintheseplacesslaveryisrife。Thedomesticservantsaremostlyslaves，thoughitisessentialthatthosesokeptshouldbeknownasslaveswhowillnotrunaway。ItisunderstoodthataslavewhoescapesintoOhiowillnotbecaughtandgivenupbytheinterventionoftheOhiopolice；andfromCovingtonorNewportanyslavewitheasecanescapeintoOhio。Butwhenthatdivisiontakesplace，noriverliketheOhiocanformtheboundarybetweenthedividednations。Suchriversarethehighways，roundwhichinthiscountrypeoplehaveclusteredthemselves。A

riverhereisnotanaturalbarrier，butaconnectingstreet。Itwouldbeaswelltomakearailwayadivision，orthecenterlineofacityanationalboundary。KentuckyandOhioStatesarejoinedtogetherbytheOhioRiver，withCincinnationonesideandLouisvilleontheother；andIdonotthinkthatman\'sactcanupsetthesetiesofnature。ButbetweenKentuckyandTennesseethereisnosuchbondofunion。Thereamathematicallinehasbeensimplydrawn，acontinuationofthatlinewhichdividesVirginiafromNorthCarolina，towhichtwolatterStatesKentuckyandTennesseebelongedwhenthethirteenoriginalStatesfirstformedthemselvesintoaUnion。Butthatmathematicallinehasofferednopeculiaradvantagestopopulation。Nogreattownsclusterthere，andnostrongsocialinterestswouldbedisseveredshouldKentuckythrowinherlotwiththeNorth，andTennesseewiththeSouth；butKentuckyownsaquarterofamillionofslaves，andthoseslavesmusteitherbeemancipatedorremovedbeforesuchajunctioncanbefirmlysettled。

ThegreatbusinessofCincinnatiishogkillingnow，asitusedtobeintheolddaysofwhichIhavesooftenheard。Itseemstobeanestablishedfact，thatinthisportionoftheworldtheporcinegenusareallhogs。Oneneverhearsofapig。Withusatradeinhogsandpigsissubjecttosomelittlecontumely。Thereisafeeling，whichhasperhapsneverbeenexpressedinwords，butwhichcertainlyexists，thattheseanimalsarenotsohonorableintheirbearingsassheepandoxen。ItisaprejudicewhichbynomeansexistsinCincinnati。Therehogkillingandsaltingandpackingisveryhonorable，andthegreatmeninthetradearethemerchantprincesofthecity。Iwenttoseetheperformance，feelingittobeadutytoinspecteverywherethatwhichIfoundtobeofmostimportance；butIwillnotdescribeit。Therewereacrowdofmenoperating，andIwastoldthatthepointofhonorwasto“putthrough“ahogaminute。Itmustbeunderstoodthattheanimalentersupontheceremonyalive，andcomesoutinthatcleanly，disemboweledguiseinwhichitmaysometimesbeseenhangingupprevioustotheoperationoftheporkbutcher\'sknife。Toonespecialmanwasappointedaperformancewhichseemedtobespeciallydisagreeable，sothatheappeareddespicableinmyeyes；butwhenoninquiryIlearnedthatheearnedfivedollars(orapoundsterling)

aday，myjudgmentastohispositionwasreversed。And，afterall，whatmatterstheuglynatureofsuchanoccupationwhenamanisusedtoit？

CincinnatiislikeallotherAmericantowns，withsecond，third，andfourthstreets，seventh，eighth，andninthstreets，andsoon。Thenthecrossstreetsarenamedchieflyfromtrees。Chestnut，walnut，locust，etc。IdonotknowwhencehascomethisfancyfornamingstreetsaftertreesintheStates，butitisverygeneral。Thetowniswellbuilt，withgoodfrontstomanyofthehouses，withlargeshopsandlargerstores；ofcoursealsowithanenormoushotel，whichhasneverpaidanythinglikeaproperdividendtothespeculatorwhobuiltit。Itisalwaysthesamestory。Butthesetownsshameourprovincialtownsbytheirbreadthandgrandeur。I

amafraidthatspeculatorswithusaretrammeledbyan“ignorantimpatienceofruin。“IshouldnotmyselfliketoliveinCincinnatiorinanyofthesetowns。Theyareslow，dingy，anduninteresting；

buttheyallpossessanairofsubstantial，civicdignity。Itmust，however，berememberedthattheAmericanslivemuchmoreintownsthanwedo。Allwithusthatarerichandaristocraticandluxuriousliveinthecountry，frequentingthemetropolisforonlyaportionoftheyear。ButallthatarerichandaristocraticandluxuriousintheStatesliveinthetowns。Ourprovincialtownsarenotgenerallychosenastheresidencesofourhigherclasses。

Cincinnatihas170，000inhabitants，andthereare14，000childrenatthefreeschools——whichisaboutoneintwelveofthewholepopulation。Thisnumbergivestheaverageofscholarsthroughouttheyearended30thofJune，1861。ButthereareotherschoolsinCincinnati——parishschoolsandprivateschools——anditisstatedtomethattherewereinall32，000childrenattendingschoolinthecitythroughouttheyear。TheeducationattheStateschoolsisverygood。Thirty-fourteachersareemployed，atanaveragesalaryof92l。each，rangingfrom260l。to60l。perannum。ItisinthismatterofeducationthatthecitiesofthefreeStatesofAmericahavedonesomuchforthecivilizationandwelfareoftheirpopulation。Thisfactcannotberepeatedintheirpraisetoooften。

Thosewhohavethemanagementofaffairs，whoareatthetopofthetree，aredesirousofgivingtoallanopportunityofraisingthemselvesinthescaleofhumanbeings。Idislikeuniversalsuffrage；Idislikevotesbyballot；Idislikeaboveallthingsthetyrannyofdemocracy。ButIdolikethepoliticalfeeling——foritisapoliticalfeeling——whichinduceseveryeducatedAmericantolendahandtotheeducationofhisfellow-citizens。Itshows，ifnothingelsedoesso，agermoftruthinthatdoctrineofequality。

Itisadoctrinetobeforgivenwhenhewhopreachesitisintruthstrivingtoraiseotherstohisownlevel；thoughutterlyunpardonablewhenthepreacherwouldpulldownotherstohislevel。

LeavingCincinnati，IagainenteredaslaveState——namely，Kentucky。

Whenthewarbrokeout，Kentuckytookuponitselftosaythatitwouldbeneutral，asifneutralityinsuchapositioncouldbyanymeanshavebeenpossible！Neutralityonthebordersofsecession，onthebattle-fieldofthecomingcontest，wasofcourseimpossible。

Tennessee，tothesouth，hadjoinedtheSouthbyaregularsecessionordinance。Ohio，Illinois，andIndiana，tothenorth，wereofcoursetruetotheUnion。UnderthesecircumstancesitbecamenecessarythatKentuckyshouldchooseherside。WiththeexceptionofthelittleStateofDelaware，inwhichfromherpositionsecessionwouldhavebeenimpossible，Kentuckywas，Ithink，lessinclinedtorebellion，moredesirousofstandingbytheNorth，thananyotheroftheslaveStates。Shedidallshecould，however，toputofftheevildayofsoevilachoice。AbolitionwithinherborderswasheldtobeabominableasstronglyasitwassoheldinGeorgia。Shehadnosympathy，andcouldhavenone，withtheteachingsandpreachingsofMassachusetts。ButshedidnotwishtobelongtoaconfederacyofwhichtheNorthernStatesweretobethedeclaredenemy，andbetheborderStateoftheSouthundersuchcircumstances。Shedidallshecouldforpersonalneutrality。ShemadethateffortforgeneralreconciliationofwhichIhavespokenastheCrittendenCompromise。Butcompromisesandreconciliationwerenotasyetpossible，andthereforeitwasnecessarythatsheshouldchooseherpart。Hergovernordeclaredforsecession，andatfirstalsoherlegislaturewasinclinedtofollowthegovernor。ButnoovertactofsecessionbytheStatewascommitted，andatlastitwasdecidedthatKentuckyshouldbedeclaredtobeloyal。Itwasinfactdivided。Thoseonthesouthernborderjoinedthesecessionists；whereasthegreaterportionoftheState，containingFrankfort，thecapital，andthewould-besecessionistgovernor，wholivedthere，joinedtheNorth。MeninfactbecameUnionistsorsecessionistsnotbytheirownconviction，butthroughthenecessityoftheirpositions；andKentucky，throughthenecessityofherposition，becameoneofthescenesofcivilwar。

Imustconfessthatthedifficultyofthepositionofthewholecountryseemstometohavebeenunder-estimatedinEngland。Incommonlifeitisnoteasytoarrangethecircumstancesofadivorcebetweenmanandwife，allwhosebelongingsandassociationshaveformanyyearsbeenincommon。Theirchildren，theirmoney，theirhouse，theirfriends，theirsecretshavebeenjointproperty，andhaveformedbondsofunion。Butyetsuchquarrelsmayarise，suchmutualantipathy，suchacerbityandevenillusage，thatallwhoknowthemadmitthataseparationisneeded。SoitishereintheStates。Freesoilandslavesoilcould，whilebothwereyoungandunusedtopower，goontogether——notwithoutmanyjarsandunhappybickerings，buttheydidgoontogether。Butnowtheymustpart；

andhowshallthepartingbemade？Withwhichsideshallgothischild，andwhoshallremaininpossessionofthatpleasanthomestead？Puttingsecessionaside，therewereintheUnitedStatestwodistinctpoliticaldoctrines，ofwhichtheextremeswereopposedtoeachotheraspoleisopposedtopole。Wehavenosuchvarianceofcreed，nosuchradicaldifferenceastotheessentialrulesoflifebetweenpartiesinourcountry。WehavenosuchcauseforpersonalrancorinourParliamentashasexistedforsomeyearspastinbothHousesofCongress。ThesetwoextremepartiesweretheslaveownersoftheSouthandtheabolitionistsoftheNorthandWest。Fiftyyearsagotheformerregardedtheinstitutionofslaveryasanecessityoftheirposition——generallyasanevilnecessity，andgenerallyalsoasacustomtoberemovedinthecourseofyears。Graduallytheyhavelearnedtolookuponslaveryasgoodinitself，andtobelievethatithasbeenthesourceoftheirwealthandthestrengthoftheirposition。Theyhavedeclaredittobeablessinginalienable，thatshouldremainamongthemforeverasaninheritancenottobetouchedandnottobespokenofwithhardwords。FiftyyearsagotheabolitionistsoftheNorthdifferedonlyinopinionfromtheslaveownersoftheSouthinhopingforaspeedierendtothisstainuponthenation，andinthinkingthatsomeactionshouldbetakentowardthefinalemancipationofthebondsmen。Buttheyalsohaveprogressed；and，astheSouthernmastershavecalledtheinstitutionblessed，theyhavecalleditaccursed。Theirnumbershaveincreased，andwiththeirnumberstheirpowerandtheirviolence。Inthiswaytwopartieshavebeenformedwhocouldnotlookoneachotherwithouthatred。Anintermediatedoctrinehasbeenheldbymenwhowerenearerintheirsympathiestotheslaveownersthantotheabolitionists，butwhowerenotdisposedtojustifyslaveryasathingapart。ThesemenhavebeenawarethatslaveryhasexistedinaccordancewiththeConstitutionoftheircountry，andhavebeenwillingtoattachthestainwhichaccompaniestheinstitutiontotheindividualStatewhichentertainsit，andnottothenationalgovernmentbywhichthequestionhasbeenconstitutionallyignored。

Themenwhohaveparticipatedinthegovernmenthavenaturallybeeninclinedtowardthemiddledoctrine；butasthetwoextremeshaveretreatedfartherfromeachother，thepowerofthismiddleclassofpoliticianshasdecreased。Mr。Lincoln，thoughhedoesnotnowdeclarehimselfanabolitionist，waselectedbytheabolitionists；

andwhen，asaconsequenceofthatelection，secessionwasthreatened，nostepwhichhecouldhavetakenwouldhavesatisfiedtheSouthwhichhadopposedhim，andbeenatthesametimetruetotheNorthwhichhadchosenhim。ButitwaspossiblethathisgovernmentmightsaveMaryland，Virginia，Kentucky，andMissouri。

AsRadicalsinEnglandbecomesimpleWhigswhentheyareadmittedintopublicoffices，sodidMr。Lincolnwithhisgovernmentbecomeanti-abolitionistwhenheenteredonhisfunctions。Hadhecombatedsecessionwithemancipationoftheslaves，noslaveStatewouldorcouldhaveheldbytheUnion。Abolitionforalecturermaybeatellingsubject。Itiseasytobringdownroundsofapplausebytalesofthewrongsofbondage。Buttomeninofficeabolitionwastoosternareality。Itsignifiedservileinsurrection，absoluteruintoallSouthernslaveowners，andtheabsoluteenmityofeveryslaveState。

Butthattaskofsteeringbetweenthetwohasbeenverydifficult。

Ifearthatthetaskofsosteeringwithsuccessisalmostimpossible。InEnglanditisthoughtthatMr。LincolnmighthavemaintainedtheUnionbycompromisingmatterswiththeSouth——or，ifnotso，thathemighthavemaintainedpeacebyyieldingtotheSouth。Butnosuchpowerwasinhishands。WhilewewereblaminghimforoppositiontoallSouthernterms，hisownfriendsintheNorthweresayingthatallprincipleandtruthwasabandonedforthesakeofsuchStatesasKentuckyandMissouri。“Virginiaisgone；

Marylandcannotgo。Andslaveryisendured，andthenewvirtueofWashingtonismadetotamperwiththeevilone，inorderthatashowofloyaltymaybepreservedinoneortwoStateswhich，afterall，arenottrulyloyal！“Thatistheaccusationmadeagainstthegovernmentbytheabolitionists；andthatmadebyus，ontheotherside，isthereverse。IbelievethatMr。Lincolnhadnoalternativebuttofight，andthathewasrightalsonottofightwithabolitionashisbattle-cry。Thathemaybeforcedbyhisownfriendsintothatcry，is，Ifear，stillpossible。Kentucky，atanyrate，didnotsecedeinbulk。ShestillsentherSenatorstoCongress。andallowedherselftobereckonedamongthestarsintheAmericanfirmament。Butshecouldnotescapethepresenceofthewar。Didsheremainloyal，ordidshesecede，thatwasequallyherfate。

ThedaybeforeIenteredKentuckyabattlewasfoughtinthatState，whichgavetotheNorthernarmstheirfirstactualvictory。ItwasataplacecalledMillSpring，nearSomerset，towardthesouthoftheState。GeneralZollicoffer，withaConfederatearmynumbering，itwassupposed，someeightthousandmen，hadadvanceduponasmallerFederalforce，commandedbyGeneralThomas，andhadbeenhimselfkilled，whilehisarmywascuttopiecesanddispersed；thecannonoftheConfederatesweretaken，andtheircampseizedanddestroyed。Theirroutwascomplete；butinthisinstanceagaintheadvancingpartyhadbeenbeaten，ashad，Ibelieve，beenthecaseinalltheactionshithertofoughtthroughoutthewar。Here，however，hadbeenanactualvictory，and，itwasnotsurprisingthatinKentuckyloyalmenshouldrejoicegreatly，andbegintohopethattheConfederateswouldbebeatenoutoftheState。Unfortunately，however，GeneralZollicoffer\'sarmyhadonlybeenanoffshootfromthemainrebelarmyinKentucky。Buell，commandingtheFederaltroopsatLouisville，andSydneyJohnston，theConfederategeneral，atBowlingGreen，asyetremainedoppositetoeachother，andtheworkwasstilltobedone。

IvisitedthelittletownsofLexingtonandFrankfort，inKentucky。

AttheformerIfoundinthehoteltowhichIwentseventy-fiveteamstersbelongingtothearmy。TheywerehangingaboutthegreathallwhenIentered，andclusteringroundthestoveinthemiddleofthechamber；adirty，rough，quaintsetofmen，clothedinawonderfulvarietyofgarbs，butnotdisorderlyorloud。Thelandlordapologizedfortheirpresence，allegingthatotheraccommodationcouldnotbefoundfortheminthetown。Hereceived，hesaid，adollaradayforfeedingthem，andforsupplyingthemwithaplaceinwhichtheycouldliedown。Itdidnotpayhim，butwhatcouldhedo？SuchanapologyfromanAmericanlandlordwasinitselfasurprisingfact。Suchhighfunctionariesare，asarule，meninclinedtotellatravelerthatifhedoesnotliketheguestsamongwhomhefindshimself，hemaygoelsewhere。Butthislandlordhadasyetfilledtheplacefornotmorethantwoorthreeweeks，andwasunusedtothedignityofhisposition。WhileIwasatsupper，theseventy-fiveteamstersweresummonedintothecommoneating-roombyaloudgong，andsatdowntotheirmealatthepublictable。Theywereverydirty；IdoubtwhetherIeversawdirtiermen；buttheywereorderlyandwellbehaved，andbutfortheirextremedirtmighthavepassedastheordinaryoccupantsofawell-

filledhotelintheWest。Suchmen，intheStates，arelessclumsywiththeirknivesandforks，lessastrayinanunusedposition，moreintelligentinadaptingthemselvestoanewlifethanareEnglishmenofthesamerank。Itisalwaysthesamestory。Withusthereisnolevelofsociety。Menstandonalongstaircase，butthecrowdcongregatesnearthebottom，andthelowerstepsareverybroad。InAmericamenstanduponacommonplatform，buttheplatformisraisedabovetheground，thoughitdoesnotapproachinheightthetopofourstaircase。Ifwetaketheaveragealtitudeinthetwocountries，weshallfindthattheAmericanheadsarethemoreelevatedofthetwo。Iconceivedratheranaffectionforthosedirtyteamsters；theyansweredmecivillywhenIspoketothem，andsatinquietness，smokingtheirpipes，withadullanddirtybutorderlydemeanor。

ThecountryaboutLexingtoniscalledtheBlueGrassRegion，andboastsitselfasofpeculiarfecundityinthematterofpasturage。

Whythegrassiscalledblue，orinwhatwayoratwhatperioditbecomesblue，Ididnotlearn；butthecountryisverylovelyandveryfertile。BetweenLexingtonandFrankfortalargestockfarm，extendingoverthreethousandacres，iskeptbyagentlemanwhoisverywellknownasabreederofhorses，cattle，andsheep。Hehasspentmuchmoneyonit，andismakingforhimselfaKentuckyelysium。Hewaskindenoughtoentertainmeforawhile，andshowedmesomethingofcountrylifeinKentucky。AfarminthatpartoftheStatedepends，andmustdepend，chieflyonslavelabor。Theslavesareamaterialpartoftheestate，andastheyareregardedbythelawasrealproperty——beingactuallyadstrictiglebae——aninheritoroflandhasnoalternativebuttokeepthem。AgentlemaninKentuckydoesnotsellhisslaves。Todosoisconsideredtobelowandmean，andisopposedtothearistocratictraditionsofthecountry。Amanwhodoessowillingly，putshimselfbeyondthepaleofgoodfellowshipwithhisneighbors。Asaleofslavesisregardedasasignalmostofbankruptcy。Ifamancannotpayhisdebts，hiscreditorscanstepinandsellhisslaves；buthedoesnothimselfmakethesale。Whenamanownsmoreslavesthanheneeds，hehiresthemoutbytheyear；andwhenherequiresmorethanheowns，hetakesthemonhirebytheyear。Careistakeninsuchhiringsnottoremoveamarriedmanawayfromhishome。Thepricepaidforanegro\'slaboratthetimeofmyvisitwasaboutahundreddollars，ortwentypoundsfortheyear；butthispricewasthenextremelylowinconsequenceofthewardisturbances。Theusualpricehadbeenaboutfiftyorsixtypercent。abovethis。Themanwhotakesthenegroonhirefeedshim，clotheshim，provideshimwithabed，andsupplieshimwithmedicalattendance。IwentintosomeoftheircottagesontheestatewhichIvisited，andwasnotintheleastsurprisedtofindthempreferableinsize，furniture，andallmaterialcomfortstothedwellingsofmostofourownagriculturallaborers。AnycomparisonbetweenthematerialcomfortofaKentuckyslaveandanEnglishditcheranddelverwouldbepreposterous。TheKentuckyslaveneverwantsforclothingfittedtotheweather。Heeatsmeattwiceaday，andhasthreegoodmeals；heknowsnolimitbuthisownappetite；hisworkislight；hehasmanyvarietiesofamusement；hehasinstantmedicalassistanceatallperiodsofnecessityforhimself，hiswife，andhischildren。Ofcoursehepaysnorent，fearsnobaker，andknowsnohunger。IwouldnothaveitsupposedthatIconceiveslaverywithallthesecomfortstobeequaltofreedomwithoutthem；nordoIconceivethatthenegrocanbemadeequaltothewhiteman。Butindiscussingtheconditionofthenegro，itisnecessarythatweshouldunderstandwhataretheadvantagesofwhichabolitionwoulddeprivehim，andinwhatconditionhehasbeenplacedbythedailyreceiptofsuchadvantages。Ifanegroslavewantsnewshoes，heasksforthem，andreceivesthem，withtheundoubtingsimplicityofachild。Suchastateofthingshasitspicturesquelypatriarchalside；butwhatwouldbethestateofsuchamanifhewereemancipatedto-morrow？

ThenaturalbeautyoftheplacewhichIwasvisitingwasverygreat。

Thetreeswerefineandwellscatteredoverthelarge，park-likepastures，andthegroundwasbrokenoneverysideintohills。Therewasperhapstoomuchtimber，butmyfriendseemedtothinkthatthatfaultwouldfindanaturalremedyonlytooquickly。“IdonotliketocutdowntreesifIcanhelpit，“hesaid。AfterthatIneednotsaythatmyhostwasquiteasmuchanEnglishmanasanAmerican。TothepurelyAmericanfarmeratreeissimplyanenemytobetroddenunderfoot，andburiedunderground，orreducedtoashesandthrowntothewindswithwhatmosteconomicaldispatchmaybepossible。Ifwaterhadbeenaddedtothelandscapehereitwouldhavebeenperfect，regardingitasordinaryEnglishpark-scenery。Butthelittleriversatthisplacehaveadirtytrickofburyingthemselvesundertheground。Theygodownsuddenlyintoholes，disappearingfromtheupperair，andthencomeupagainatthedistanceofperhapshalfamile。Unfortunatelytheirperiodsofseclusionaremoreprolongedthanthoseoftheirupper-airdistance。Therewerethreeorfoursuchascentsanddescentsabouttheplace。

Myhostwasabreederofrace-horses，andhadimportedsiresfromEngland；ofsheepalso，andhadimportedfamousrams；ofcattletoo，andwasgreatinbulls。HewasveryloudinpraiseofKentuckyanditsattractions，ifonlythiswarcouldbebroughttoanend。ButI

couldnotobtainfromhimanassurancethatthespeculationinwhichhewasengagedhadbeenprofitable。OrnamentalfarminginEnglandisaveryprettyamusementforawealthyman，butIfancy——withoutintendinganyslightonMr。Mechi——thattheamusementisexpensive。

IbelievethatthesamethingmaybesaidofitinaslaveState。

FrankfortisthecapitalofKentucky，andisasquietlydullalittletownasIeverentered。ItisontheRiverKentucky，andasthegroundsaboutitoneverysideriseinwoodedhills，itisaveryprettyplace。InJanuaryitwasverypretty，butinsummeritmustbelovely。Iwastakenuptothecemeterytherebyapathalongtheriver，andaminclinedtosaythatitisthesweetestresting-placeforthedeadthatIhaveevervisited。DanielBooneliesthere。HewasthefirstwhitemanwhosettledinKentucky；orrather，perhaps，thefirstwhoenteredKentuckywithaviewtoawhiteman\'ssettlement。SuchfrontiermenaswasDanielBooneneverremainedlongcontentedwiththespotstheyopened。Assoonashehadlefthismarkinthatterritoryhewentagainfartherwest，overthebigriversintoMissouri，andtherehedied。ButthemenofKentuckyareproudofDanielBoone，andsotheyhaveburiedhimintheloveliestspottheycouldselect，immediatelyovertheriver。

Frankfortisworthavisit，ifonlythatthisgraveandgraveyardmaybeseen。ThelegislatureoftheStatewasnotsittingwhenI

wasthere，andthegrasswasgrowinginthestreets。