第10章

Yours，etc。，A。LINCOLN。

1852

EULOGYONHENRYCLAY，DELIVEREDINTHESTATE

HOUSEATSPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS，JULY16，1852。

OnthefourthdayofJuly，1776，thepeopleofafewfeebleandoppressedcoloniesofGreatBritain，inhabitingaportionoftheAtlanticcoastofNorthAmerica，publiclydeclaredtheirnationalindependence，andmadetheirappealtothejusticeoftheircauseandtotheGodofbattlesforthemaintenanceofthatdeclaration。Thatpeoplewerefewinnumberandwithoutresources，saveonlytheirwiseheadsandstouthearts。Withinthefirstyearofthatdeclaredindependence，andwhileitsmaintenancewasyetproblematical，whilethebloodystrugglebetweenthoseresoluterebelsandtheirhaughtywould—bemasterswasstillwaging，——ofundistinguishedparentsandinanobscuredistrictofoneofthosecoloniesHenryClaywasborn。Theinfantnationandtheinfantchildbegantheraceoflifetogether。Forthreequartersofacenturytheyhavetravelledhandinhand。Theyhavebeencompanionsever。Thenationhaspasseditsperils，anditisfree，prosperous，andpowerful。Thechildhasreachedhismanhood，hismiddleage，hisoldage，andisdead。Inallthathasconcernedthenationthemaneversympathized；andnowthenationmournstheman。

Thedayafterhisdeathoneofthepublicjournals，opposedtohimpolitically，heldthefollowingpatheticandbeautifullanguage，whichIadoptpartlybecausesuchhighandexclusiveeulogy，originatingwithapoliticalfriend，mightoffendgoodtaste，butchieflybecauseIcouldnotinanylanguageofmyownsowellexpressmythoughts：

"Alas，whocanrealizethatHenryClayisdead！Whocanrealizethatneveragainthatmajesticformshallriseinthecouncil—

chambersofhiscountrytobeatbackthestormsofanarchywhichmaythreaten，orpourtheoilofpeaceuponthetroubledbillowsastheyrageandmenacearound！Whocanrealizethattheworkingsofthatmightymindhaveceased，thatthethrobbingsofthatgallantheartarestilled，thatthemightysweepofthatgracefularmwillbefeltnomore，andthemagicofthateloquenttongue，whichspakeasspakenoothertonguebesides，ishushedhushedforever！Whocanrealizethatfreedom’schampion，thechampionofacivilizedworldandofalltonguesandkindredsofpeople，hasindeedfallen！Alas，inthosedarkhoursofperilanddreadwhichourlandhasexperienced，andwhichshemaybecalledtoexperienceagain，towhomnowmayherpeoplelookupforthatcounselandadvicewhichonlywisdomandexperienceandpatriotismcangive，andwhichonlytheundoubtingconfidenceofanationwillreceive？Perchanceinthewholecircleofthegreatandgiftedofourlandthereremainsbutoneonwhoseshouldersthemightymantleofthedepartedstatesmanmayfall；

onewhowhilewenowwriteisdoubtlesspouringhistearsoverthebierofhisbrotherandfriendbrother，friend，ever，yetinpoliticalsentimentasfarapartaspartycouldmakethem。Ah，itisattimeslikethesethatthepettydistinctionsofmerepartydisappear。Weseeonlythegreat，thegrand，thenoblefeaturesofthedepartedstatesman；andwedonotevenbegpermissiontobowathisfeetandmingleourtearswiththosewhohaveeverbeenhispoliticaladherents——wedo[not]begthispermission，weclaimitasaright，thoughwefeelitasaprivilege。HenryClaybelongedtohiscountry——totheworld；

merepartycannotclaimmenlikehim。Hiscareerhasbeennational，hisfamehasfilledtheearth，hismemorywillenduretothelastsyllableofrecordedtime。

"HenryClayisdead！Hebreathedhislastonyesterday，attwentyminutesaftereleven，inhischamberatWashington。Tothosewhofollowedhisleadinpublicaffairs，itmoreappropriatelybelongstopronouncehiseulogyandpayspecifichonorstothememoryoftheillustriousdead。ButallAmericansmayshowthegriefwhichhisdeathinspires，forhischaracterandfamearenationalproperty。AsonaquestionoflibertyheknewnoNorth，noSouth，noEast，noWest，butonlytheUnionwhichheldthemallinitssacredcircle，sonowhiscountrymenwillknownogriefthatisnotaswide—spreadastheboundsoftheconfederacy。ThecareerofHenryClaywasapubliccareer。

>Fromhisyouthhehasbeendevotedtothepublicservice，ataperiod，too，intheworld’shistoryjustlyregardedasaremarkableerainhumanaffairs。HewitnessedinthebeginningthethroesoftheFrenchRevolution。HesawtheriseandfallofNapoleon。HewascalledupontolegislateforAmericaanddirectherpolicywhenallEuropewasthebattlefieldofcontendingdynasties，andwhenthestruggleforsupremacyimperilledtherightsofallneutralnations。HisvoicespokewarandpeaceinthecontestwithGreatBritain。

"WhenGreeceroseagainsttheTurksandstruckforliberty，hisnamewasmingledwiththebattle—cryoffreedom。WhenSouthAmericathrewoffthethraldomofSpain，hisspeecheswerereadattheheadofherarmiesbyBolivar。Hisnamehasbeen，andwillcontinuetobe，hallowedintwohemispheres，foritis’Oneofthefew，theimmortalnamesThatwerenotborntodie！’

"Totheardentpatriotandprofoundstatesmanheaddedaqualitypossessedbyfewofthegiftedonearth。Hiseloquencehasnotbeensurpassed。Intheeffectivepowertomovetheheartofman，Claywaswithoutanequal，andtheheaven—bornendowment，inthespiritofitsorigin，hasbeenmostconspicuouslyexhibitedagainstintestinefeud。Onatleastthreeimportantoccasionshehasquelledourcivilcommotionsbyapowerandinfluencewhichbelongedtonootherstatesmanofhisageandtimes。Andinourlastinternaldiscord，whenthisUniontrembledtoitscentre，inoldagehelefttheshadesofprivatelife，andgavethedeath—

blowtofraternalstrife，withthevigorofhisearlieryears，inaseriesofsenatorialeffortswhichinthemselveswouldbringimmortalitybychallengingcomparisonwiththeeffortsofanystatesmaninanyage。Heexorcisedthedemonwhichpossessedthebodypolitic，andgavepeacetoadistractedland。Alas！theachievementcosthimhislife。Hesankdaybydaytothetombhispalebutnoblebrowboundwithatriplewreath，puttherebyagratefulcountry。Mayhisashesrestinpeace，whilehisspiritgoestotakeitsstationamongthegreatandgoodmenwhoprecededhim。"

Whileitiscustomaryandproperuponoccasionslikethepresenttogiveabriefsketchofthelifeofthedeceased，inthecaseofMr。Clayitislessnecessarythanmostothers；forhisbiographyhasbeenwrittenandrewrittenandreadandrereadforthelasttwenty—fiveyears；sothat，withtheexceptionofafewofthelatestincidentsofhislife，allisaswellknownasitcanbe。TheshortsketchwhichIgiveis，therefore，merelytomaintaintheconnectionofthisdiscourse。

HenryClaywasbornonthetwelfthdayofApril，1777，inHanoverCounty，Virginia。Ofhisfather，whodiedinthefourthorfifthyearofHenry’sage，littleseemstobeknown，exceptthathewasarespectablemanandapreacheroftheBaptistpersuasion。Mr。

Clay’seducationtotheendoflifewascomparativelylimited。I

say"totheendoflife，"becauseIhaveunderstoodthatfromtimetotimeheaddedsomethingtohiseducationduringthegreaterpartofhiswholelife。Mr。Clay’slackofamoreperfectearlyeducation，howeveritmayberegrettedgenerally，teachesatleastoneprofitablelesson：itteachesthatinthiscountryonecanscarcelybesopoorbutthat，ifhewill，hecanacquiresufficienteducationtogetthroughtheworldrespectably。Inhistwenty—thirdyearMr。Claywaslicensedtopractiselaw，andemigratedtoLexington，Kentucky。Herehecommencedandcontinuedthepracticetilltheyear1803，whenhewasfirstelectedtotheKentuckyLegislature。BysuccessiveelectionshewascontinuedintheLegislaturetillthelatterpartof1806，whenhewaselectedtofillavacancyofasinglesessionintheUnitedStatesSenate。In18O7hewasagainelectedtotheKentuckyHouseofRepresentatives，andbythatbodychosenSpeaker。In1808hewasre—electedtothesamebody。

In1809hewasagainchosentofillavacancyoftwoyearsintheUnitedStatesSenate。In1811hewaselectedtotheUnitedStatesHouseofRepresentatives，andonthefirstdayoftakinghisseatinthatbodyhewaschosenitsSpeaker。In1813hewasagainelectedSpeaker。Earlyin1814，beingtheperiodofourlastBritishwar，Mr。Claywassentascommissioner，withothers，tonegotiateatreatyofpeace，whichtreatywasconcludedinthelatterpartofthesameyear。OnhisreturnfromEuropehewasagainelectedtothelowerbranchofCongress，andontakinghisseatinDecember，1815，wascalledtohisoldpost—theSpeaker’schair，apositioninwhichhewasretainedbysuccessiveelections，withonebriefintermission，tilltheinaugurationofJohnQuincyAdams，inMarch，1825。HewasthenappointedSecretaryofState，andoccupiedthatimportantstationtilltheinaugurationofGeneralJackson，inMarch，1829。AfterthishereturnedtoKentucky，resumedthepracticeoflaw，andcontinuedittilltheautumnof1831，whenhewasbytheLegislatureofKentuckyagainplacedintheUnitedStatesSenate。ByareelectionhewascontinuedintheSenatetillheresignedhisseatandretired，inMarch，1848。InDecember，1849，heagaintookhisseatintheSenate，whichheagainresignedonlyafewmonthsbeforehisdeath。

BytheforegoingitisperceivedthattheperiodfromthebeginningofMr。Clay’sofficiallifein1803totheendof1852

isbutoneyearshortofhalfacentury，andthatthesumofalltheintervalsinitwillnotamounttotenyears。ButmeredurationoftimeinofficeconstitutesthesmallestpartofMr。

Clay’shistory。Throughoutthatlongperiodhehasconstantlybeenthemostlovedandmostimplicitlyfollowedbyfriends，andthemostdreadedbyopponents，ofalllivingAmericanpoliticians。Inallthegreatquestionswhichhaveagitatedthecountry，andparticularlyinthosefearfulcrises，theMissouriquestion，thenullificationquestion，andthelateslaveryquestion，asconnectedwiththenewlyacquiredterritory，involvingandendangeringthestabilityoftheUnion，hishasbeentheleadingandmostconspicuouspart。In1824hewasfirstacandidateforthePresidency，andwasdefeated；and，althoughhewassuccessivelydefeatedforthesameofficein1832andin1844，therehasneverbeenamomentsince1824tillafter1848

whenaverylargeportionoftheAmericanpeopledidnotclingtohimwithanenthusiastichopeandpurposeofstillelevatinghimtothePresidency。Withothermen，tobedefeatedwastobeforgotten；butwithhimdefeatwasbutatriflingincident，neitherchanginghimnortheworld’sestimateofhim。Eventhoseofbothpoliticalpartieswhohavebeenpreferredtohimforthehighestofficehaverunfarbriefercoursesthanhe，andlefthimstillshininghighintheheavensofthepoliticalworld。

Jackson，VanBuren，Harnson，Polk，andTaylorallroseafter，andsetlongbeforehim。Thespell——thelong—enduringspell——withwhichthesoulsofmenwereboundtohimisamiracle。Whocancompassit？Itisprobablytrueheowedhispre—eminencetonoonequality，buttoafortunatecombinationofseveral。Hewassurpassinglyeloquent；butmanyeloquentmenfailutterly，andtheyarenot，asaclass，generallysuccessful。Hisjudgmentwasexcellent；butmanymenofgoodjudgmentliveanddieunnoticed。

Hiswillwasindomitable；butthisqualityoftensecurestoitsownernothingbetterthanacharacterforuselessobstinacy。

These，then，wereMr。Clay’sleadingqualities。Nooneofthemisveryuncommon；butalltogetherarerarelycombinedinasingleindividual，andthisisprobablythereasonwhysuchmenasHenryClayaresorareintheworld。

Mr。Clay’seloquencedidnotconsist，asmanyfinespecimensofeloquencedo，oftypesandfigures，ofantithesisandelegantarrangementofwordsandsentences，butratherofthatdeeplyearnestandimpassionedtoneandmannerwhichcanproceedonlyfromgreatsincerity，andathoroughconvictioninthespeakerofthejusticeandimportanceofhiscause。Thisitisthattrulytouchesthechordsofsympathy；andthosewhoheardMr。Clayneverfailedtobemovedbyit，oreverafterwardforgottheimpression。Allhiseffortsweremadeforpracticaleffect。Heneverspokemerelytobeheard。HeneverdeliveredaFourthofJulyoration，oraeulogyonanoccasionlikethis。Asapoliticianorstatesman，noonewassohabituallycarefultoavoidallsectionalground。Whateverhedidhedidforthewholecountry。Intheconstructionofhismeasures，heevercarefullysurveyedeverypartofthefield，anddulyweighedeveryconflictinginterest。Feelingashedid，andasthetruthsurelyis，thattheworld’sbesthopedependedonthecontinuedunionoftheseStates，hewaseverjealousofandwatchfulforwhatevermighthavetheslightesttendencytoseparatethem。

Mr。Clay’spredominantsentiment，fromfirsttolast，wasadeepdevotiontothecauseofhumanliberty——astrongsympathywiththeoppressedeverywhere，andanardentwishfortheirelevation。

Withhimthiswasaprimaryandall—controllingpassion。

Subsidiarytothiswastheconductofhiswholelife。Helovedhiscountrypartlybecauseitwashisowncountry，andmostlybecauseitwasafreecountry；andheburnedwithazealforitsadvancement，prosperity，andglory，becausehesawinsuchtheadvancement，prosperity，andgloryofhumanliberty，humanright，andhumannature。Hedesiredtheprosperityofhiscountrymen，partlybecausetheywerehiscountrymen，butchieflytoshowtotheworldthatfreemencouldbeprosperous。

Thathisviewsandmeasureswerealwaysthewisestneedsnottobeaffirmed；norshoulditbeonthisoccasion，wheresomanythinkingdifferentlyjoinindoinghonortohismemory。Afreepeopleintimesofpeaceandquietwhenpressedbynocommondanger—naturallydivideintoparties。Atsuchtimesthemanwhoisofneitherpartyisnot，cannotbe，ofanyconsequence。Mr。

Claythereforewasofaparty。Takingaprominentpart，ashedid，inallthegreatpoliticalquestionsofhiscountryforthelasthalfcentury，thewisdomofhiscourseonmanyisdoubtedanddeniedbyalargeportionofhiscountrymen；andofsuchitisnotnowpropertospeakparticularly。Buttherearemanyothers，abouthiscourseuponwhichthereislittleornodisagreementamongstintelligentandpatrioticAmericans。OftheselastaretheWarof1812，theMissouriquestion，nullification，andthenowrecentcompromisemeasures。In1812

Mr。Clay，thoughnotunknown，wasstillayoungman。WhetherweshouldgotowarwithGreatBritainbeingthequestionoftheday，aminorityopposedthedeclarationofwarbyCongress，whilethemajority，thoughapparentlyinclinedtowar，hadforyearswavered，andhesitatedtoactdecisively。MeanwhileBritishaggressionsmultiplied，andgrewmoredaringandaggravated。ByMr。ClaymorethananyothermanthestrugglewasbroughttoadecisioninCongress。Thequestion，beingnowfullybeforeCongress，cameupinavarietyofwaysinrapidsuccession，onmostofwhichoccasionsMr。Clayspoke。Addingtoallthelogicofwhichthesubjectwassusceptiblethatnobleinspirationwhichcametohimasitcametonoother，hearousedandnervedandinspiredhisfriends，andconfoundedandboredownallopposition。Severalofhisspeechesontheseoccasionswerereportedandarestillextant，butthebestofthemallneverwas。Duringitsdeliverythereportersforgottheirvocation，droppedtheirpens，andsatenchantedfromnearthebeginningtoquitetheclose。Thespeechnowlivesonlyinthememoryofafewoldmen，andtheenthusiasmwithwhichtheycherishtheirrecollectionofitisabsolutelyastonishing。Thepreciselanguageofthisspeechweshallneverknow；butwedoknowwecannothelpknowing——thatwithdeeppathositpleadedthecauseoftheinjuredsailor，thatitinvokedthegeniusoftheRevolution，thatitapostrophizedthenamesofOtis，ofHenry，andofWashington，thatitappealedtotheinterests，thepride，thehonor，andthegloryofthenation，thatitshamedandtauntedthetimidityoffriends，thatitscornedandscoutedandwitheredthetemerityofdomesticfoes，thatitbeardedanddefiedtheBritishlion，and，risingandswellingandmaddeninginitscourse，itsoundedtheonset，tillthecharge，theshock，thesteadystruggle，andthegloriousvictoryallpassedinvividreviewbeforetheentrancedhearers。

Importantandexcitingaswasthewarquestionof1812，itneversoalarmedthesagaciousstatesmenofthecountryforthesafetyoftheRepublicasafterwarddidtheMissouriquestion。Thissprangfromthatunfortunatesourceofdiscord——negroslavery。

WhenourFederalConstitutionwasadopted，weownednoterritorybeyondthelimitsorownershipoftheStates，excepttheterritorynorthwestoftheRiverOhioandeastoftheMississippi。WhathassincebeenformedintotheStatesofMaine，KentuckyandTennessee，was，Ibelieve，withinthelimitsoforownedbyMassachusetts，Virginia，andNorthCarolina。AstotheNorthwesternTerritory，provisionhadbeenmadeevenbeforetheadoptionoftheConstitutionthatslaveryshouldnevergothere。OntheadmissionofStatesintotheUnion，carvedfromtheterritoryweownedbeforetheConstitution，noquestion，oratmostnoconsiderablequestion，aroseaboutslavery——thosewhichwerewithinthelimitsoforownedbytheoldStatesfollowingrespectivelytheconditionoftheparentState，andthosewithintheNorthwestTerritoryfollowingthepreviouslymadeprovision。Butin1803wepurchasedLouisianaoftheFrench，anditincludedwithmuchmorewhathassincebeenformedintotheStateofMissouri。Withregardtoit，nothinghadbeendonetoforestallthequestionofslavery。When，therefore，in1819，Missouri，havingformedaStateconstitutionwithoutexcludingslavery，andwithslaveryalreadyactuallyexistingwithinitslimits，knockedatthedooroftheUnionforadmission，almosttheentirerepresentationofthenon—

slaveholdingStatesobjected。Afearfulandangrystruggleinstantlyfollowed。Thisalarmedthinkingmenmorethananypreviousquestion，because，unlikealltheformer，itdividedthecountrybygeographicallines。Otherquestionshadtheiropposingpartisansinalllocalitiesofthecountryandinalmosteveryfamily，sothatnodivisionoftheUnioncouldfollowsuchwithoutaseparationoffriendstoquiteasgreatanextentasthatofopponents。NotsowiththeMissouriquestion。Onthisageographicallinecouldbetraced，whichinthemainwouldseparateopponentsonly。Thiswasthedanger。Mr。Jefferson，theninretirement，wrote：

"Ihadforalongtimeceasedtoreadnewspapersortopayanyattentiontopublicaffairs，confidenttheywereingoodhandsandcontenttobeapassengerinourbarktotheshorefromwhichIamnotdistant。Butthismomentousquestion，likeafirebellinthenight，awakenedandfilledmewithterror。IconsidereditatonceastheknelloftheUnion。Itishushed，indeed，forthemoment。Butthisisareprieveonly，notafinalsentence。

Ageographicallinecoincidingwithamarkedprinciple，moralandpolitical，onceconceivedandhelduptotheangrypassionsofmen，willneverbeobliterated，andeveryirritationwillmarkitdeeperanddeeper。IcansaywithconscioustruththatthereisnotamanonearthwhowouldsacrificemorethanIwouldtorelieveusfromthisheavyreproachinanypracticableway。

"Thecessionofthatkindofproperty——foritissomisnamed——isabagatellewhichwouldnotcostmeasecondthoughtifinthatwayageneralemancipationandexpatriationcouldbeeffected，andgraduallyandwithduesacrificesIthinkitmightbe。Butasitis，wehavethewolfbytheears，andwecanneitherholdhimnorsafelylethimgo。Justiceisinonescale，andself—

preservationintheother。"

Mr。ClaywasinCongress，and，perceivingthedanger，atonceengagedhiswholeenergiestoavertit。Itbegan，asIhavesaid，in1819；anditdidnotterminatetill1821。Missouriwouldnotyieldthepoint；andCongressthatis，amajorityinCongress——byrepeatedvotesshowedadeterminationnottoadmittheStateunlessitshouldyield。Afterseveralfailures，andgreatlaboronthepartofMr。Claytosopresentthequestionthatamajoritycouldconsenttotheadmission，itwasbyavoterejected，and，asallseemedtothink，finally。Asullengloomhungoverthenation。AllfeltthattherejectionofMissouriwasequivalenttoadissolutionoftheUnion，becausethoseStateswhichalreadyhadwhatMissouriwasrejectedforrefusingtorelinquishwouldgowithMissouri。Alldeprecatedanddeploredthis，butnonesawhowtoavertit。Forthejudgmentofmemberstobeconvincedofthenecessityofyieldingwasnotthewholedifficulty；eachhadaconstituencytomeetandtoanswerto。Mr。Clay，thoughworndownandexhausted，wasappealedtobymemberstorenewhiseffortsatcompromise。Hedidso，andbysomejudiciousmodificationsofhisplan，coupledwithlaboriouseffortswithindividualmembersandhisownovermasteringeloquenceuponthatfloor，hefinallysecuredtheadmissionoftheState。Brightlyandcaptivatingasithadpreviouslyshown，itwasnowperceivedthathisgreateloquencewasamereembellishment，oratmostbutahelpinghandtohisinventivegeniusandhisdevotiontohiscountryinthedayofherextremeperil。

AfterthesettlementoftheMissouriquestion，althoughaportionoftheAmericanpeoplehavedifferedwithMr。Clay，andamajorityevenappeargenerallytohavebeenopposedtohimonquestionsofordinaryadministration，heseemsconstantlytohavebeenregardedbyallasthemanforthecrisis。Accordingly，inthedaysofnullification，andmorerecentlyinthereappearanceoftheslaveryquestionconnectedwithourterritorynewlyacquiredofMexico，thetaskofdevisingamodeofadjustmentseemstohavebeencastuponMr。Claybycommonconsent——andhisperformanceofthetaskineachcasewaslittleelsethanaliteralfulfilmentofthepublicexpectation。

Mr。Clay’seffortsinbehalfoftheSouthAmericans，andafterwardinbehalfoftheGreeks，inthetimesoftheirrespectivestrugglesforcivilliberty，areamongthefinestonrecord，uponthenoblestofallthemes，andbearamplecorroborationofwhatIhavesaidwashisrulingpassion——aloveoflibertyandright，unselfishly，andfortheirownsakes。

Havingbeenledtoalludetodomesticslaverysofrequentlyalready，IamunwillingtoclosewithoutreferringmoreparticularlytoMr。Clay’sviewsandconductinregardtoit。Heeverwasonprincipleandinfeelingopposedtoslavery。Theveryearliest，andoneofthelatest，publiceffortsofhislife，separatedbyaperiodofmorethanfiftyyears，werebothmadeinfavorofgradualemancipation。Hedidnotperceivethatonaquestionofhumanrightthenegroesweretobeexceptedfromthehumanrace。AndyetMr。Claywastheownerofslaves。Castintolifewhenslaverywasalreadywidelyspreadanddeeplyseated，hedidnotperceive，asIthinknowisemanhasperceived，howitcouldbeatonceeradicatedwithoutproducingagreaterevileventothecauseofhumanlibertyitself。Hisfeelingandhisjudgment，therefore，everledhimtoopposebothextremesofopiniononthesubject。ThosewhowouldshiverintofragmentstheUnionoftheseStates，teartotattersitsnowveneratedConstitution，andevenburnthelastcopyoftheBible，ratherthanslaveryshouldcontinueasinglehour，togetherwithalltheirmorehaltingsympathizers，havereceived，andarereceiving，theirjustexecration；andthenameandopinionsandinfluenceofMr。Clayarefullyand，asItrust，effectuallyandenduringlyarrayedagainstthem。ButIwouldalso，ifIcould，arrayhisname，opinions，andinfluenceagainsttheoppositeextreme——againstafewbutanincreasingnumberofmenwho，forthesakeofperpetuatingslavery，arebeginningtoassailandtoridiculethewhiteman’scharteroffreedom，thedeclarationthat"allmenarecreatedfreeandequal。"SofarasIhavelearned，thefirstAmericanofanynotetodoorattemptthiswasthelateJohnC。Calhoun；andifImistakenot，itsoonafterfounditswayintosomeofthemessagesoftheGovernorofSouthCarolina。

We，however，lookforandarenotmuchshockedbypoliticaleccentricitiesandheresiesinSouthCarolina。ButonlylastyearIsawwithastonishmentwhatpurportedtobealetterofaverydistinguishedandinfluentialclergymanofVirginia，copied，withapparentapprobation，intoaSt。Louisnewspaper，containingthefollowingtomeveryunsatisfactorylanguage：

"IamfullyawarethatthereisatextinsomeBiblesthatisnotinmine。ProfessionalabolitionistshavemademoreuseofitthanofanypassageintheBible。Itcame，however，asItraceit，fromSaintVoltaire，andwasbaptizedbyThomasJefferson，andsincealmostuniversallyregardedascanonicalauthority`Allmenarebornfreeandequal。’

"Thisisagenuinecoininthepoliticalcurrencyofourgeneration。IamsorrytosaythatIhaveneverseentwomenofwhomitistrue。ButImustadmitIneversawtheSiameseTwins，andthereforewillnotdogmaticallysaythatnomaneversawaproofofthissageaphorism。"

ThissoundsstrangelyinrepublicanAmerica。Thelikewasnotheardinthefresherdaysoftherepublic。Letuscontrastwithitthelanguageofthattrulynationalmanwhoselifeanddeathwenowcommemorateandlament：IquotefromaspeechofMr。ClaydeliveredbeforetheAmericanColonizationSocietyin1827：

"Wearereproachedwithdoingmischiefbytheagitationofthisquestion。Thesocietygoesintonohouseholdtodisturbitsdomestictranquillity。Itaddressesitselftonoslavestoweakentheirobligationsofobedience。Itseekstoaffectnoman’sproperty。Itneitherhasthepowernorthewilltoaffectthepropertyofanyonecontrarytohisconsent。Theexecutionofitsschemewouldaugmentinsteadofdiminishingthevalueofpropertyleftbehind。Thesociety，composedoffreemen，concealsitselfonlywiththefree。Collateralconsequenceswearenotresponsiblefor。Itisnotthissocietywhichhasproducedthegreatmoralrevolutionwhichtheageexhibits。Whatwouldtheywhothusreproachushavedone？Iftheywouldrepressalltendenciestowardlibertyandultimateemancipation，theymustdomorethanputdownthebenevolenteffortsofthissociety。Theymustgobacktotheeraofourlibertyandindependence，andmuzzlethecannonwhichthundersitsannualjoyousreturn。Theymustrenewtheslavetrade，withallitstrainofatrocities。TheymustsuppresstheworkingsofBritishphilanthropy，seekingtomelioratetheconditionoftheunfortunateWestIndianslave。TheymustarrestthecareerofSouthAmericandeliverancefromthraldom。TheymustblowoutthemorallightsaroundusandextinguishthatgreatesttorchofallwhichAmericapresentstoabenightedworld——pointingthewaytotheirrights，theirliberties，andtheirhappiness。Andwhentheyhaveachievedallthosepurposestheirworkwillbeyetincomplete。Theymustpenetratethehumansoul，anderadicatethelightofreasonandtheloveofliberty。Then，andnottillthen，whenuniversaldarknessanddespairprevail，canyouperpetuateslaveryandrepressallsympathyandallhumaneandbenevolenteffortsamongfreemeninbehalfoftheunhappyportionofourracedoomedtobondage。"

TheAmericanColonizationSocietywasorganizedin1816。Mr。

Clay，thoughnotitsprojector，wasoneofitsearliestmembers；

andhedied，asformanyprecedingyearshehadbeen，itspresident。Itwasoneofthemostcherishedobjectsofhisdirectcareandconsideration，andtheassociationofhisnamewithithasprobablybeenitsverygreatestcollateralsupport。

Heconsidereditnodemeritinthesocietythatittendedtorelievetheslave—holdersfromthetroublesomepresenceofthefreenegroes；butthiswasfarfrombeingitswholemeritinhisestimation。Inthesamespeechfromwhichwehavequotedhesays：

"ThereisamoralfitnessintheideaofreturningtoAfricaherchildren，whoseancestorshavebeentornfromherbytheruthlesshandoffraudandviolence。Transplantedinaforeignland，theywillcarrybacktotheirnativesoiltherichfruitsofreligion，civilization，law，andliberty。MayitnotbeoneofthegreatdesignsoftheRuleroftheuniverse，whosewaysareofteninscrutablebyshort—sightedmortals，thustotransformanoriginalcrimeintoasignalblessingtothatmostunfortunateportionoftheglobe？"

ThissuggestionofthepossibleultimateredemptionoftheAfricanraceandAfricancontinentwasmadetwenty—fiveyearsago。Everysucceedingyearhasaddedstrengthtothehopeofitsrealization。Mayitindeedberealized。Pharaoh’scountrywascursedwithplagues，andhishostswerelostintheRedSea，forstrivingtoretainacaptivepeoplewhohadalreadyservedthemmorethanfourhundredyears。Maylikedisastersneverbefallus！If，asthefriendsofcolonizationhope，thepresentandcominggenerationsofourcountrymenshallbyanymeanssucceedinfreeingourlandfromthedangerouspresenceofslavery，andatthesametimeinrestoringacaptivepeopletotheirlong—lostfatherlandwithbrightprospectsforthefuture，andthistoosograduallythatneitherracesnorindividualsshallhavesufferedbythechange，itwillindeedbeagloriousconsummation。AndiftosuchaconsummationtheeffortsofMr。Clayshallhavecontributed，itwillbewhathemostardentlywished，andnoneofhislaborswillhavebeenmorevaluabletohiscountryandhiskind。

ButHenryClayisdead。Hislongandeventfullifeisclosed。

Ourcountryisprosperousandpowerful；butcouldithavebeenquiteallithasbeen，andis，andistobe，withoutHenryClay？

Suchamanthetimeshavedemanded，andsuchintheprovidenceofGodwasgivenus。Butheisgone。Letusstrivetodeserve，asfarasmortalsmay，thecontinuedcareofDivineProvidence，trustingthatinfuturenationalemergenciesHewillnotfailtoprovideustheinstrumentsofsafetyandsecurity。

NOTE。WeareindebtedforacopyofthisspeechtothecourtesyofMajorWm。H。Bailhache，formerlyoneoftheproprietorsoftheIllinoisStateJournal。

CHALLENGEDVOTERS

OPINIONONTHEILLINOISELECTIONLAW。

SPRINGFIELD，November1，1852

AleadingarticleintheDailyRegisterofthismorninghasinducedsomeofourfriendstorequestouropinionontheelectionlawsasapplicabletochallengedvoters。WehaveexaminedthepresentconstitutionoftheState，theelectionlawof1849，andtheunrepealedpartsoftheelectionlawintherevisedcodeof1845；andweareoftheopinionthatanypersontakingtheoathprescribedintheactof1849isentitledtovoteunlesscounter—proofbemadesatisfactorytoamajorityofthejudgesthatsuchoathisuntrue；andthatforthepurposeofobtainingsuchcounter—proof，theproposedvotermaybeaskedquestionsinthewayofcross—examination，andotherindependenttestimonymaybereceived。Webaseouropinionastoreceivingcounter—proofupontheunrepealedSectionnineteenoftheelectionlawintherevisedcode。

A。LINCOLN，B。S。EDWARDS

S。T。LOGAN。

S。H。TREAT

1853

LEGALOFFICEWORK

TOJOSHUAR。STANFORD。

PEKIN，MAY12，1853

Mr。JOSHUAR。STANFORD。

SIR：——Ihopethesubject—matterofthisletterwillappearasufficientapologytoyouforthelibertyI，atotalstranger，takeinaddressingyou。Thepersonshereholdingtwolotsunderaconveyancemadebyyou，astheattorneyofDanielM。Baily，nownearlytwenty—twoyearsago，areingreatdangeroflosingthelots，andverymuch，perhapsall，istodependonthetestimonyyougiveastowhetheryoudidordidnotaccounttoBailyfortheproceedsreceivedbyyouonthissaleofthelots。

I，therefore，asoneofthecounsel，begofyoutofullyrefreshyourrecollectionbyanymeansinyourpowerbeforethetimeyoumaybecalledontotestify。Ifpersonsshouldcomeaboutyou，andshowadispositiontopumpyouonthesubject，itmaybenomorethanprudenttorememberthatitmaybepossibletheydesigntomisrepresentyouandembarrasstherealtestimonyyoumayultimatelygive。Itmaybesixmonthsorayearbeforeyouarecalledontotestify。

Respectfully，A。LINCOLN。

1854

TOO。L。DAVIS。

SPRINGFIELD，June22，1854。

O。L。DAVIS，ESQ。

DEARSIR：——You，nodoubt，remembertheenclosedmemorandumbeinghandedmeinyouroffice。Ihavejustmadethedesiredsearch，andfindthatnosuchdeedhaseverbeenhere。Campbell，theauditor，saysthatifitwerehere，itwouldbeinhisoffice，andthathehashuntedforitadozentimes，andcouldneverfindit。Hesaysthatonetimeandanother，hehasheardmuchaboutthematter，thatitwasnotadeedforRightofWay，butadeed，outright，forDepot—ground——atleast，asaleforDepot—ground，andtheremayneverhavebeenadeed。Hesays，ifthereisadeed，itismostprobableGeneralAlexander，ofParis，hasit。

Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。

NEBRASKAMEASURE

TOJ。M。PALMER

[Confidential]

SPRINGFIELD，Sept。7，1854。

HON。J。M。PALMER。

DEARSIR：——YouknowhowanxiousIamthatthisNebraskameasureshallberebukedandcondemnedeverywhere。OfcourseIhopesomethingfromyourposition；yetIdonotexpectyoutodoanythingwhichmaybewronginyourownjudgment；norwouldI

haveyoudoanythingpersonallyinjurioustoyourself。Youare，andalwayshavebeen，honestlyandsincerelyaDemocrat；andI

knowhowpainfulitmustbetoanhonest，sinceremantobeurgedbyhispartytothesupportofameasurewhichinhisconsciencehebelievestobewrong。Youhavehadaseverestrugglewithyourself，andyouhavedeterminednottoswallowthewrong。Isitnotjusttoyourselfthatyoushould，inafewpublicspeeches，stateyourreasons，andthusjustifyyourself？Iwishyouwould；andyetIsay，don’tdoit，ifyouthinkitwillinjureyou。YoumayhavegivenyourwordtovoteforMajorHarris；andifso，ofcourseyouwillsticktoit。Butallowmetosuggestthatyoushouldavoidspeakingofthis；foritprobablywouldinducesomeofyourfriendsinlikemannertocasttheirvotes。Youunderstand。Andnowletmebegyourpardonforobtrudingthisletteruponyou，towhomIhaveeverbeenopposedinpolitics。HadyourpartyomittedtomakeNebraskaatestofpartyfidelity，youprobablywouldhavebeentheDemocraticcandidateforCongressinthedistrict。Youdeservedit，andI

believeitwouldhavebeengivenyou。InthatcaseIshouldhavebeenquitehappythatNebraskawastoberebukedatallevents。

IstillshouldhavevotedfortheWhigcandidate；butIshouldhavemadenospeeches，writtennoletters；andyouwouldhavebeenelectedbyatleastathousandmajority。

Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。

TOA。B。MOREAU。

SPRINGFIELD，September7，1854

A。B。MOREAU，ESQ。

SIR：——StrangerthoughIam，personally，beingabrotherinthefaith，Iventuretowriteyou。Yatescannotcometoyourcourtnextweek。HeisobligedtobeatPikecourtwherehehasacase，withafeeoffivehundreddollars，twohundreddollarsalreadypaid。Toneglectitwouldbeunjusttohimself，anddishonesttohisclient。Harriswillbewithyou，headupandtailup，forNebraska。Youmusthavesomeonetomakeananti—

Nebraskaspeech。Palmeristhebest，ifyoucangethim，I

think。Jo。Gillespie，ifyoucannotgetPalmer，andsomebodyanyhow，ifyoucangetneither。ButpressPalmerhard。ItisinhisSenatorialdistrict，Ibelieve。

Yoursetc。，A。LINCOLN。

REPLYTOSENATORDOUGLAS——PEORIASPEECH

SPEECHATPEORIA，ILLINOIS，INREPLYTOSENATORDOUGLAS，OCTOBER16，1854。

Idonotrisetospeaknow，ifIcanstipulatewiththeaudiencetomeetmehereathalf—pastsixoratseveno’clock。Itisnowseveralminutespastfive，andJudgeDouglashasspokenoverthreehours。Ifyouhearmeatall，Iwishyoutohearmethrough。Itwilltakemeaslongasithastakenhim。Thatwillcarryusbeyondeighto’clockatnight。Now，everyoneofyouwhocanremainthatlongcanjustaswellgethissupper，meetmeatseven，andremainanhourortwolater。TheJudgehasalreadyinformedyouthatheistohaveanhourtoreplytome。IdoubtnotbutyouhavebeenalittlesurprisedtolearnthatIhaveconsentedtogiveoneofhishighreputationandknownabilitythisadvantageofme。Indeed，myconsentingtoit，thoughreluctant，wasnotwhollyunselfish，forIsuspected，ifitwereunderstoodthattheJudgewasentirelydone，youDemocratswouldleaveandnothearme；butbygivinghimtheclose，Ifeltconfidentyouwouldstayforthefunofhearinghimskinme。

Theaudiencesignifiedtheirassenttothearrangement，andadjournedtoseveno’clockP。M。，atwhichtimetheyreassembled，andMr。Lincolnspokesubstantiallyasfollows：

TherepealoftheMissouriCompromise，andtheproprietyofitsrestoration，constitutethesubjectofwhatIamabouttosay。

AsIdesiretopresentmyownconnectedviewofthissubject，myremarkswillnotbespecificallyananswertoJudgeDouglas；yet，asIproceed，themainpointshehaspresentedwillarise，andwillreceivesuchrespectfulattentionasImaybeabletogivethem。IwishfurthertosaythatIdonotproposetoquestionthepatriotismortoassailthemotivesofanymanorclassofmen，butrathertoconfinemyselfstrictlytothenakedmeritsofthequestion。IalsowishtobenolessthannationalinallthepositionsImaytake，andwheneverItakegroundwhichothershavethought，ormaythink，narrow，sectional，anddangeroustotheUnion，Ihopetogiveareasonwhichwillappearsufficient，atleasttosome，whyIthinkdifferently。

Andasthissubjectisnootherthanpartandparcelofthelargergeneralquestionofdomesticslavery，Iwishtomakeandtokeepthedistinctionbetweentheexistinginstitutionandtheextensionofitsobroadandsoclearthatnohonestmancanmisunderstandme，andnodishonestonesuccessfullymisrepresentme。

InordertoaclearunderstandingofwhattheMissouriCompromiseis，ashorthistoryoftheprecedingkindredsubjectswillperhapsbeproper。

Whenweestablishedourindependence，wedidnotownorclaimthecountrytowhichthiscompromiseapplies。Indeed，strictlyspeaking，theConfederacythenownednocountryatall；theStatesrespectivelyownedthecountrywithintheirlimits，andsomeofthemownedterritorybeyondtheirstrictStatelimits。

VirginiathusownedtheNorthwesternTerritory——thecountryoutofwhichtheprincipalpartofOhio，allIndiana，allIllinois，allMichigan，andallWisconsinhavesincebeenformed。Shealsoowned(perhapswithinherthenlimits)whathassincebeenformedintotheStateofKentucky。NorthCarolinathusownedwhatisnowtheStateofTennessee；andSouthCarolinaandGeorgiaowned，inseparateparts，whatarenowMississippiandAlabama。

Connecticut，Ithink，ownedthelittleremainingpartofOhio，beingthesamewheretheynowsendGiddingstoCongressandbeatallcreationinmakingcheese。

Theseterritories，togetherwiththeStatesthemselves，constituteallthecountryoverwhichtheConfederacythenclaimedanysortofjurisdiction。WewerethenlivingundertheArticlesofConfederation，whichweresupersededbytheConstitutionseveralyearsafterward。ThequestionofcedingtheterritoriestotheGeneralGovernmentwassetonfoot。Mr。

Jefferson，——theauthoroftheDeclarationofIndependence，andotherwiseachiefactorintheRevolution；thenadelegateinCongress；afterward，twicePresident；whowas，is，andperhapswillcontinuetobe，themostdistinguishedpoliticianofourhistory；aVirginianbybirthandcontinuedresidence，andwithalaslaveholder，——conceivedtheideaoftakingthatoccasiontopreventslaveryevergoingintotheNorthwesternTerritory。HeprevailedontheVirginiaLegislaturetoadopthisviews，andtocedetheTerritory，makingtheprohibitionofslaverythereinaconditionofthedeed。(Jeffersongotonlyanunderstanding，notaconditionofthedeedtothiswish。)Congressacceptedthecessionwiththecondition；andthefirstordinance(whichtheactsofCongresswerethencalled)forthegovernmentoftheTerritoryprovidedthatslaveryshouldneverbepermittedtherein。Thisisthefamed"Ordinanceof’87，"sooftenspokenof。

Thenceforwardforsixty—oneyears，anduntil，in1848，thelastscrapofthisTerritorycameintotheUnionastheStateofWisconsin，allpartiesactedinquietobediencetothisordinance。ItisnowwhatJeffersonforesawandintended——thehappyhomeofteemingmillionsoffree，white，prosperouspeople，andnoslaveamongthem。

Thus，withtheauthoroftheDeclarationofIndependence，thepolicyofprohibitingslaveryinnewterritoryoriginated。Thus，awaybacktotheConstitution，inthepure，fresh，freebreathoftheRevolution，theStateofVirginiaandthenationalCongressputthatpolicyintopractice。Thus，throughmorethansixtyofthebestyearsoftherepublic，didthatpolicysteadilyworktoitsgreatandbeneficentend。Andthus，inthosefiveStates，andinfivemillionsoffree，enterprisingpeople，wehavebeforeustherichfruitsofthispolicy。

Butnownewlightbreaksuponus。NowCongressdeclaresthisoughtnevertohavebeen，andthelikeofitmustneverbeagain。

Thesacredrightofself—governmentisgrosslyviolatedbyit。

Weevenfindsomemenwhodrewtheirfirstbreath——andeveryotherbreathoftheirlives——underthisveryrestriction，nowliveindreadofabsolutesuffocationiftheyshouldberestrictedinthe"sacredright"oftakingslavestoNebraska。

Thatperfectlibertytheysighfor——thelibertyofmakingslavesofotherpeople，Jeffersonneverthoughtof，theirownfathersneverthoughtof，theyneverthoughtofthemselves，ayearago。

Howfortunateforthemtheydidnotsoonerbecomesensibleoftheirgreatmisery！Oh，howdifficultitistotreatwithrespectsuchassaultsuponallwehaveeverreallyheldsacred！

Buttoreturntohistory。In1803wepurchasedwhatwasthencalledLouisiana，ofFrance。ItincludedthepresentStatesofLouisiana，Arkansas，Missouri，andIowa；alsotheTerritoryofMinnesota，andthepresentboneofcontention，KansasandNebraska。SlaveryalreadyexistedamongtheFrenchatNewOrleans，andtosomeextentatSt。Louis。In1812LouisianacameintotheUnionasaslaveState，withoutcontroversy。In1818or’19，Missourishowedsignsofawishtocomeinwithslavery。ThiswasresistedbyNorthernmembersofCongress；andthusbeganthefirstgreatslaveryagitationinthenation。Thiscontroversylastedseveralmonths，andbecameveryangryandexciting——theHouseofRepresentativesvotingsteadilyfortheprohibitionofslaveryinMissouri，andtheSenatevotingassteadilyagainstit。ThreatsofthebreakingupoftheUnionwerefreelymade，andtheablestpublicmenofthedaybecameseriouslyalarmed。Atlengthacompromisewasmade，inwhich，asinallcompromises，bothsidesyieldedsomething。Itwasalaw，passedonthe6thofMarch，1820，providingthatMissourimightcomeintotheUnionwithslavery，butthatinalltheremainingpartoftheterritorypurchasedofFrancewhichliesnorthofthirty—sixdegreesandthirtyminutesnorthlatitude，slaveryshouldneverbepermitted。Thisprovisionoflawisthe"MissouriCompromise。"Inexcludingslaverynorthoftheline，thesamelanguageisemployedasintheOrdinanceof1787。ItdirectlyappliedtoIowa，Minnesota，andtothepresentboneofcontention，KansasandNebraska。Whetherthereshouldorshouldnotbeslaverysouthofthatline，nothingwassaidinthelaw。

ButArkansasconstitutedtheprincipalremainingpartsouthoftheline；andithassincebeenadmittedasaslaveState，withoutseriouscontroversy。Morerecently，Iowa，northoftheline，cameinasafreeStatewithoutcontroversy。Stilllater，Minnesota，northoftheline，hadaterritorialorganizationwithoutcontroversy。Texas，principallysouthoftheline，andwestofArkansas，thoughoriginallywithinthepurchasefromFrance，had，in1819，beentradedofftoSpaininourtreatyfortheacquisitionofFlorida。IthadthusbecomeapartofMexico。

MexicorevolutionizedandbecameindependentofSpain。AmericancitizensbegansettlingrapidlywiththeirslavesinthesouthernpartofTexas。SoontheyrevolutionizedagainstMexico，andestablishedanindependentgovernmentoftheirown，adoptingaconstitutionwithslavery，stronglyresemblingtheconstitutionsofourslaveStates。Bystillanotherrapidmove，Texas，claimingaboundarymuchfartherwestthanwhenwepartedwithherin1819，wasbroughtbacktotheUnitedStates，andadmittedintotheUnionasaslaveState。ThentherewaslittleornosettlementinthenorthernpartofTexas，aconsiderableportionofwhichlaynorthoftheMissouriline；andintheresolutionsadmittingherintotheUnion，theMissourirestrictionwasexpresslyextendedwestwardacrossherterritory。Thiswasin1845，onlynineyearsago。

ThusoriginatedtheMissouriCompromise；andthushasitbeenrespecteddownto1845。Andevenfouryearslater，in1849，ourdistinguishedSenator，inapublicaddress，heldthefollowinglanguageinrelationtoit：

"TheMissouriCompromisehasbeeninpracticaloperationforaboutaquarterofacentury，andhasreceivedthesanctionandapprobationofmenofallpartiesineverysectionoftheUnion。

Ithasallayedallsectionaljealousiesandirritationsgrowingoutofthisvexedquestion，andharmonizedandtranquillizedthewholecountry。IthasgiventoHenryClay，asitsprominentchampion，theproudsobriquetofthe"GreatPacificator，"andbythattitle，andforthatservice，hispoliticalfriendshadrepeatedlyappealedtothepeopletorallyunderhisstandardasaPresidentialcandidate，asthemanwhohadexhibitedthepatriotismandpowertosuppressanunholyandtreasonableagitation，andpreservetheUnion。Hewasnotawarethatanymanoranyparty，fromanysectionoftheUnion，hadeverurgedasanobjectiontoMr。ClaythathewasthegreatchampionoftheMissouriCompromise。Onthecontrary，theeffortwasmadebytheopponentsofMr。Claytoprovethathewasnotentitledtotheexclusivemeritofthatgreatpatrioticmeasure，andthatthehonorwasequallyduetoothers，aswellastohim，forsecuringitsadoption；thatithaditsoriginintheheartsofallpatrioticmen，whodesiredtopreserveandperpetuatetheblessingsofourgloriousUnion——anoriginakintothatoftheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates，conceivedinthesamespiritoffraternalaffection，andcalculatedtoremoveforevertheonlydangerwhichseemedtothreaten，atsomedistantday，toseverthesocialbondofunion。AlltheevidencesofpublicopinionatthatdayseemedtoindicatethatthiscompromisehadbeencanonizedintheheartsoftheAmericanpeople，asasacredthingwhichnoruthlesshandwouldeverberecklessenoughtodisturb。"

IdonotreadthisextracttoinvolveJudgeDouglasinaninconsistency。Ifheafterwardthoughthehadbeenwrong，itwasrightforhimtochange。IbringthisforwardmerelytoshowthehighestimateplacedontheMissouriCompromisebyallpartiesuptosolateastheyear1849。

Butgoingbackalittleinpointoftime。OurwarwithMexicobrokeoutin1846。WhenCongresswasaboutadjourningthatsession，PresidentPolkaskedthemtoplacetwomillionsofdollarsunderhiscontrol，tobeusedbyhimintherecess，iffoundpracticableandexpedient，innegotiatingatreatyofpeacewithMexico，andacquiringsomepartofherterritory。Abillwasdulygottenupforthepurpose，andwasprogressingswimminglyintheHouseofRepresentatives，whenamemberbythenameofDavidWilmot，aDemocratfromPennsylvania，movedasanamendment，"Provided，thatinanyterritorythusacquiredtherenevershallbeslavery。"

Thisistheoriginofthefar—famedWilmotProviso。Itcreatedagreatflutter；butitstucklikewax，wasvotedintothebill，andthebillpassedwithitthroughtheHouse。TheSenate，however，adjournedwithoutfinalactiononit，andsobothappropriationandprovisowerelostforthetime。Thewarcontinued，andatthenextsessionthePresidentrenewedhisrequestfortheappropriation，enlargingtheamount，Ithink，tothreemillions。Againcametheproviso，anddefeatedthemeasure。Congressadjournedagain，andthewarwenton。InDecember，1847，thenewCongressassembled。IwasinthelowerHousethatterm。TheWilmotProviso，ortheprincipleofit，wasconstantlycomingupinsomeshapeorother，andIthinkImayventuretosayIvotedforitatleastfortytimesduringtheshorttimeIwasthere。TheSenate，however，helditincheck，anditneverbecamealaw。Inthespringof1848atreatyofpeacewasmadewithMexico，bywhichweobtainedthatportionofhercountrywhichnowconstitutestheTerritoriesofNewMexicoandUtahandthepresentStateofCalifornia。BythistreatytheWilmotProvisowasdefeated，insofarasitwasintendedtobeaconditionoftheacquisitionofterritory。Itsfriends，however，werestilldeterminedtofindsomewaytorestrainslaveryfromgettingintothenewcountry。ThisnewacquisitionlaydirectlywestofouroldpurchasefromFrance，andextendedwesttothePacificOcean，andwassosituatedthatiftheMissourilineshouldbeextendedstraightwest，thenewcountrywouldbedividedbysuchextendedline，leavingsomenorthandsomesouthofit。OnJudgeDouglas’smotion，abill，orprovisionofabill，passedtheSenatetosoextendtheMissouriline。TheprovisomenintheHouse，includingmyself，voteditdown，because，byimplication，itgaveupthesouthernparttoslavery，whilewewerebentonhavingitallfree。

Inthefallof1848thegold—mineswerediscoveredinCalifornia。

Thisattractedpeopletoitwithunprecedentedrapidity，sothaton，orsoonafter，themeetingofthenewCongressinDecember，1849，shealreadyhadapopulationofnearlyahundredthousand，hadcalledaconvention，formedaStateconstitutionexcludingslavery，andwasknockingforadmissionintotheUnion。Theprovisomen，ofcourse，wereforlettingherin，buttheSenate，alwaystruetotheotherside，wouldnotconsenttoheradmission，andthereCaliforniastood，keptoutoftheUnionbecauseshewouldnotletslaveryintoherborders。Underallthecircumstances，perhaps，thiswasnotwrong。TherewereotherpointsofdisputeconnectedwiththegeneralquestionofSlavery，whichequallyneededadjustment。TheSouthclamoredforamoreefficientfugitiveslavelaw。TheNorthclamoredfortheabolitionofapeculiarspeciesofslavetradeintheDistrictofColumbia，inconnectionwithwhich，inviewfromthewindowsoftheCapitol，asortofnegrolivery—stable，wheredrovesofnegroeswerecollected，temporarilykept，andfinallytakentoSouthernmarkets，preciselylikedrovesofhorses，hadbeenopenlymaintainedforfiftyyears。UtahandNewMexiconeededterritorialgovernments；andwhetherslaveryshouldorshouldnotbeprohibitedwithinthemwasanotherquestion。TheindefinitewesternboundaryofTexaswastobesettled。ShewasaslaveState，andconsequentlythefartherwesttheslaverymencouldpushherboundary，themoreslavecountrytheysecured；andthefarthereasttheslaveryopponentscouldthrusttheboundaryback，thelessslavegroundwassecured。Thusthiswasjustasclearlyaslaveryquestionasanyoftheothers。

Thesepointsallneededadjustment，andtheywereheldup，perhapswisely，tomakethemhelpadjustoneanother。TheUnionnow，asin1820，wasthoughttobeindanger，anddevotiontotheUnionrightfullyinclinedmentoyieldsomewhatinpointswherenothingelsecouldhavesoinclinedthem。Acompromisewasfinallyeffected。TheSouthgottheirnewfugitiveslavelaw，andtheNorthgotCalifornia，(byfarthebestpartofouracquisitionfromMexico)asafreeState。TheSouthgotaprovisionthatNewMexicoandUtah，whenadmittedasStates，maycomeinwithorwithoutslaveryastheymaythenchoose；andtheNorthgottheslavetradeabolishedintheDistrictofColumbia……

TheNorthgotthewesternboundaryofTexasthrownfartherbackeastwardthantheSouthdesired；but，inturn，theygaveTexastenmillionsofdollarswithwhichtopayherolddebts。ThisistheCompromiseof1850。

PrecedingthePresidentialelectionof1852，eachofthegreatpoliticalparties，DemocratsandWhigs，metinconventionandadoptedresolutionsindorsingtheCompromiseof’50，asa"finality，"afinalsettlement，sofarasthesepartiescouldmakeitso，ofallslaveryagitation。Previoustothis，in1851，theIllinoisLegislaturehadindorsedit。

Duringthislongperiodoftime，Nebraska(theNebraskaTerritory，nottheStateofasweknowitnow)hadremainedsubstantiallyanuninhabitedcountry，butnowemigrationtoandsettlementwithinitbegantotakeplace。ItisaboutonethirdaslargeasthepresentUnitedStates，anditsimportance，solongoverlooked，beginstocomeintoview。TherestrictionofslaverybytheMissouriCompromisedirectlyappliestoit——infactwasfirstmade，andhassincebeenmaintainedexpresslyforit。In1853，abilltogiveitaterritorialgovernmentpassedtheHouseofRepresentatives，and，inthehandsofJudgeDouglas，failedofpassingonlyforwantoftime。ThisbillcontainednorepealoftheMissouriCompromise。Indeed，whenitwasassailedbecauseitdidnotcontainsuchrepeal，JudgeDouglasdefendeditinitsexistingform。OnJanuary4，1854，JudgeDouglasintroducesanewbilltogiveNebraskaterritorialgovernment。

Heaccompaniesthisbillwithareport，inwhichlastheexpresslyrecommendsthattheMissouriCompromiseshallneitherbeaffirmednorrepealed。Beforelongthebillissomodifiedastomaketwoterritoriesinsteadofone，callingthesouthernoneKansas。

Also，aboutamonthaftertheintroductionofthebill，ontheJudge’sownmotionitissoamendedastodeclaretheMissouriCompromiseinoperativeandvoid；and，substantially，thatthepeoplewhogoandsettletheremayestablishslavery，orexcludeit，astheymayseefit。InthisshapethebillpassedbothbranchesofCongressandbecamealaw。

ThisistherepealoftheMissouriCompromise。Theforegoinghistorymaynotbepreciselyaccurateineveryparticular，butI

amsureitissufficientlysoforalltheuseIshallattempttomakeofit，andinitwehavebeforeusthechiefmaterialenablingustojudgecorrectlywhethertherepealoftheMissouriCompromiseisrightorwrong。Ithink，andshalltrytoshow，thatitiswrong——wronginitsdirecteffect，lettingslaveryintoKansasandNebraska，andwronginitsprospectiveprinciple，allowingittospreadtoeveryotherpartofthewideworldwheremencanbefoundinclinedtotakeit。

Thisdeclaredindifference，but，asImustthink，covertrealzeal，forthespreadofslavery，Icannotbuthate。Ihateitbecauseofthemonstrousinjusticeofslaveryitself。Ihateitbecauseitdeprivesourrepublicanexampleofitsjustinfluenceintheworld；enablestheenemiesoffreeinstitutionswithplausibilitytotauntusashypocrites；causestherealfriendsoffreedomtodoubtoursincerity；andespeciallybecauseitforcessomanygoodmenamongourselvesintoanopenwarwiththeveryfundamentalprinciplesofcivilliberty，criticizingtheDeclarationofIndependence，andinsistingthatthereisnorightprincipleofactionbutself—interest。

BeforeproceedingletmesaythatIthinkIhavenoprejudiceagainsttheSouthernpeople。Theyarejustwhatwewouldbeintheirsituation。Ifslaverydidnotnowexistamongthem，theywouldnotintroduceit。Ifitdidnowexistamongus，weshouldnotinstantlygiveitup。ThisIbelieveofthemassesNorthandSouth。Doubtlessthereareindividualsonbothsideswhowouldnotholdslavesunderanycircumstances，andotherswhowouldgladlyintroduceslaveryanewifitwereoutofexistence。WeknowthatsomeSouthernmendofreetheirslaves，goNorthandbecometip—topabolitionists，whilesomeNorthernonesgoSouthandbecomemostcruelslavemasters。

WhenSouthernpeopletellusthattheyarenomoreresponsiblefortheoriginofslaverythanweare，Iacknowledgethefact。

Whenitissaidthattheinstitutionexists，andthatitisverydifficulttogetridofitinanysatisfactoryway，Icanunderstandandappreciatethesaying。IsurelywillnotblamethemfornotdoingwhatIshouldnotknowhowtodomyself。Ifallearthlypowerweregivenme，Ishouldnotknowwhattodoastotheexistinginstitution。Myfirstimpulsewouldbetofreealltheslaves，andsendthemtoLiberia，totheirownnativeland。Butamoment’sreflectionwouldconvincemethatwhateverofhighhope(asIthinkthereis)theremaybeinthisinthelongrun，itssuddenexecutionisimpossible。Iftheywerealllandedthereinaday，theywouldallperishinthenexttendays；andtherearenotsurplusshippingandsurplusmoneyenoughtocarrythemthereinmanytimestendays。Whatthen？Freethemall，andkeepthemamongusasunderlings？Isitquitecertainthatthisbetterstheircondition？IthinkIwouldnotholdoneinslaveryatanyrate，yetthepointisnotclearenoughformetodenouncepeopleupon。Whatnext？Freethem，andmakethempoliticallyandsociallyourequals？Myownfeelingswillnotadmitofthis，andifminewould，wewellknowthatthoseofthegreatmassofwhiteswillnot。Whetherthisfeelingaccordswithjusticeandsoundjudgmentisnotthesolequestion，ifindeeditisanypartofit。Auniversalfeeling，whetherwellorillfounded，cannotbesafelydisregarded。Wecannotthenmakethemequals。Itdoesseemtomethatsystemsofgradualemancipationmightbeadopted，butfortheirtardinessinthisIwillnotundertaketojudgeourbrethrenoftheSouth。

Whentheyremindusoftheirconstitutionalrights，Iacknowledgethem——notgrudgingly，butfullyandfairly；andIwouldgivethemanylegislationforthereclaimingoftheirfugitiveswhichshouldnotinitsstringencybemorelikelytocarryafreemanintoslaverythanourordinarycriminallawsaretohanganinnocentone。

Butallthis，tomyjudgment，furnishesnomoreexcuseforpermittingslaverytogointoourownfreeterritorythanitwouldforrevivingtheAfricanslavetradebylaw。ThelawwhichforbidsthebringingofslavesfromAfrica，andthatwhichhassolongforbiddenthetakingofthemintoNebraska，canhardybedistinguishedonanymoralprinciple，andtherepealoftheformercouldfindquiteasplausibleexcusesasthatofthelatter。

TheargumentsbywhichtherepealoftheMissouriCompromiseissoughttobejustifiedarethese：

First。ThattheNebraskacountryneededaterritorialgovernment。

Second。Thatinvariouswaysthepublichadrepudiatedthatcompromiseanddemandedtherepeal，andthereforeshouldnotnowcomplainofit。

And，lastly，Thattherepealestablishesaprinciplewhichisintrinsicallyright。

Iwillattemptananswertoeachoftheminitsturn。

First，then：Ifthatcountrywasinneedofaterritorialorganization，coulditnothavehaditaswellwithoutaswitharepeal？IowaandMinnesota，tobothofwhichtheMissourirestrictionapplied，had，withoutitsrepeal，eachinsuccession，territorialorganizations。Andeventheyearbefore，abillforNebraskaitselfwaswithinanaceofpassingwithouttherepealingclause，andthisinthehandsofthesamemenwhoarenowthechampionsofrepeal。Whynonecessitythenforrepeal？Butstilllater，whenthisverybillwasfirstbroughtin，itcontainednorepeal。

But，saythey，becausethepeoplehaddemanded，orrathercommanded，therepeal，therepealwastoaccompanytheorganizationwheneverthatshouldoccur。

Now，Idenythatthepubliceverdemandedanysuchthing——everrepudiatedtheMissouriCompromise，evercommandeditsrepeal。I

denyit，andcallfortheproof。Itisnotcontended，Ibelieve，thatanysuchcommandhaseverbeengiveninexpressterms。Itisonlysaidthatitwasdoneinprinciple。ThesupportoftheWilmotProvisoisthefirstfactmentionedtoprovethattheMissourirestrictionwasrepudiatedinprinciple，andthesecondistherefusaltoextendtheMissourilineoverthecountryacquiredfromMexico。Thesearenearenoughaliketobetreatedtogether。Theonewastoexcludethechancesofslaveryfromthewholenewacquisitionbythelump，andtheotherwastorejectadivisionofit，bywhichonehalfwastobegivenuptothosechances。Now，whetherthiswasarepudiationoftheMissourilineinprincipledependsuponwhethertheMissourilawcontainedanyprinciplerequiringthelinetobeextendedoverthecountryacquiredfromMexico。Icontenditdidnot。Iinsistthatitcontainednogeneralprinciple，butthatitwas，ineverysense，specific。ThatitstermslimitittothecountrypurchasedfromFranceisundeniedandundeniable。Itcouldhavenoprinciplebeyondtheintentionofthosewhomadeit。Theydidnotintendtoextendthelinetocountrywhichtheydidnotown。Iftheyintendedtoextenditintheeventofacquiringadditionalterritory，whydidtheynotsayso？Itwasjustaseasytosaythat"inallthecountrywestoftheMississippiwhichwenowown，ormayhereafteracquire，thereshallneverbeslavery，"astosaywhattheydidsay；andtheywouldhavesaiditiftheyhadmeantit。Anintentiontoextendthelawisnotonlynotmentionedinthelaw，butisnotmentionedinanycontemporaneoushistory。Boththelawitself，andthehistoryofthetimes，areablankastoanyprincipleofextension；andbyneithertheknownrulesofconstruingstatutesandcontracts，norbycommonsense，cananysuchprinciplebeinferred。

AnotherfactshowingthespecificcharacteroftheMissourilaw——

showingthatitintendednomorethanitexpressed，showingthatthelinewasnotintendedasauniversaldividinglinebetweenFreeandSlaveterritory，presentandprospective，northofwhichslaverycouldnevergo——isthefactthatbythatverylawMissouricameinasaslaveState，northoftheline。Ifthatlawcontainedanyprospectiveprinciple，thewholelawmustbelookedtoinordertoascertainwhattheprinciplewas。AndbythisruletheSouthcouldfairlycontendthat，inasmuchastheygotoneslaveStatenorthofthelineattheinceptionofthelaw，theyhavetherighttohaveanothergiventhemnorthofitoccasionally，nowandthen，intheindefinitewestwardextensionoftheline。ThisdemonstratestheabsurdityofattemptingtodeduceaprospectiveprinciplefromtheMissouriCompromiseline。

WhenwevotedfortheWilmotProvisowewerevotingtokeepslaveryoutofthewholeMexicanacquisition，andlittledidwethinkweweretherebyvotingtoletitintoNebraskalyingseveralhundredmilesdistant。WhenwevotedagainstextendingtheMissouriline，littledidwethinkwewerevotingtodestroytheoldline，thenofnearthirtyyears’standing。

ToarguethatwethusrepudiatedtheMissouriCompromiseisnolessabsurdthanitwouldbetoarguethatbecausewehavesofarforbornetoacquireCuba，wehavethereby，inprinciple，repudiatedourformeracquisitionsanddeterminedtothrowthemoutoftheUnion。NolessabsurdthanitwouldbetosaythatbecauseImayhaverefusedtobuildanadditiontomyhouse，I

therebyhavedecidedtodestroytheexistinghouse！AndifI

catchyousettingfiretomyhouse，youwillturnuponmeandsayIinstructedyoutodoit！

Themostconclusiveargument，however，thatwhilefortheWilmotProviso，andwhilevotingagainsttheextensionoftheMissouriline，weneverthoughtofdisturbingtheoriginalMissouriCompromise，isfoundinthefactthattherewasthen，andstillis，anunorganizedtractoffinecountry，nearlyaslargeastheStateofMissouri，lyingimmediatelywestofArkansasandsouthoftheMissouriCompromiseline，andthatweneverattemptedtoprohibitslaveryastoit。Iwishparticularattentiontothis。

ItadjoinstheoriginalMissouriCompromiselinebyitsnorthernboundary，andconsequentlyispartofthecountryintowhichbyimplicationslaverywaspermittedtogobythatcompromise。

Thereithaslainopenevers，andthereitstilllies，andyetnoefforthasbeenmadeatanytimetowrestitfromtheSouth。

InallourstrugglestoprohibitslaverywithinourMexicanacquisitions，weneversomuchasliftedafingertoprohibititastothistract。IsnotthisentirelyconclusivethatatalltimeswehaveheldtheMissouriCompromiseasasacredthing，evenwhenagainstourselvesaswellaswhenforus？

SenatorDouglassometimessaystheMissourilineitselfwasinprincipleonlyanextensionofthelineoftheOrdinanceof’87——

thatistosay，anextensionoftheOhioRiver。Ithinkthisisweakenoughonitsface。Iwillremark，however，that，asaglanceatthemapwillshow，theMissourilineisalongwayfarthersouththantheOhio，andthatifourSenatorinproposinghisextensionhadstucktotheprincipleofjoggingsouthward，perhapsitmightnothavebeenvoteddownsoreadily。

Butnextitissaidthatthecompromisesof’50，andtheratificationofthembybothpoliticalpartiesin’52，establishedanewprinciplewhichrequiredtherepealoftheMissouriCompromise。ThisagainIdeny。Idenyit，anddemandtheproof。Ihavealreadystatedfullywhatthecompromisesof’50are。ThatparticularpartofthosemeasuresfromwhichthevirtualrepealoftheMissouriCompromiseissoughttobeinferred(foritisadmittedtheycontainnothingaboutitinexpressterms)istheprovisionintheUtahandNewMexicolawswhichpermitsthemwhentheyseekadmissionintotheUnionasStatestocomeinwithorwithoutslavery，astheyshallthenseefit。NowIinsistthisprovisionwasmadeforUtahandNewMexico，andfornootherplacewhatever。IthadnomoredirectreferencetoNebraskathanithadtotheterritoriesofthemoon。

But，saythey，ithadreferencetoNebraskainprinciple。Letussee。TheNorthconsentedtothisprovision，notbecausetheyconsidereditrightinitself，butbecausetheywerecompensated—

—paidforit。

TheyatthesametimegotCaliforniaintotheUnionasafreeState。ThiswasfarthebestpartofalltheyhadstruggledforbytheWilmotProviso。TheyalsogottheareaofslaverysomewhatnarrowedinthesettlementoftheboundaryofTexas。

AlsotheygottheslavetradeabolishedintheDistrictofColumbia。

ForallthesedesirableobjectstheNorthcouldaffordtoyieldsomething；andtheydidyieldtotheSouththeUtahandNewMexicoprovision。IdonotmeanthatthewholeNorth，orevenamajority，yielded，whenthelawpassed；butenoughyielded——whenaddedtothevoteoftheSouth，tocarrythemeasure。NorcanitbepretendedthattheprincipleofthisarrangementrequiresustopermitthesameprovisiontobeappliedtoNebraska，withoutanyequivalentatall。GiveusanotherfreeState；presstheboundaryofTexasstillfartherback；giveusanothersteptowardthedestructionofslaveryintheDistrict，andyoupresentusasimilarcase。Butaskusnottorepeat，fornothing，whatyoupaidforinthefirstinstance。Ifyouwishthethingagain，payagain。Thatistheprincipleofthecompromisesof’50，if，indeed，theyhadanyprinciplesbeyondtheirspecificterms——itwasthesystemofequivalents。

Again，ifCongress，atthattime，intendedthatallfutureTerritoriesshould，whenadmittedasStates，comeinwithorwithoutslaveryattheirownoption，whydiditnotsayso？

Withsuchauniversalprovision，allknowthebillscouldnothavepassed。Didthey，then——couldthey—establishaprinciplecontrarytotheirownintention？Stillfurther，iftheyintendedtoestablishtheprinciplethat，wheneverCongresshadcontrol，itshouldbelefttothepeopletodoastheythoughtfitwithslavery，whydidtheynotauthorizethepeopleoftheDistrictofColumbia，attheiroption，toabolishslaverywithintheirlimits？

Ipersonallyknowthatthishasnotbeenleftundonebecauseitwasunthoughtof。ItwasfrequentlyspokenofbymembersofCongress，andbycitizensofWashington，sixyearsago；andI

heardnooneexpressadoubtthatasystemofgradualemancipation，withcompensationtoowners，wouldmeettheapprobationofalargemajorityofthewhitepeopleoftheDistrict。ButwithouttheactionofCongresstheycouldsaynothing；andCongresssaid"No。"Inthemeasuresof1850，CongresshadthesubjectofslaveryintheDistrictexpresslyonhand。Iftheywerethenestablishingtheprincipleofallowingthepeopletodoastheypleasewithslavery，whydidtheynotapplytheprincipletothatpeople？

AgainitisclaimedthatbytheresolutionsoftheIllinoisLegislature，passedin1851，therepealoftheMissouriCompromisewasdemanded。ThisIdenyalso。Whatevermaybeworkedoutbyacriticismofthelanguageofthoseresolutions，thepeoplehaveneverunderstoodthemasbeinganymorethananindorsementofthecompromisesof1850，andareleaseofoursenatorsfromvotingfortheWilmotProviso。Thewholepeoplearelivingwitnessesthatthisonlywastheirview。Finally，itisasked，"IfwedidnotmeantoapplytheUtahandNewMexicoprovisiontoallfutureterritories，whatdidwemeanwhenwe，in1852，indorsedthecompromisesof1850？"

FormyselfIcananswerthisquestionmosteasily。ImeantnottoaskarepealormodificationoftheFugitiveSlavelaw。I

meantnottoaskfortheabolitionofslaveryintheDistrictofColumbia。ImeantnottoresisttheadmissionofUtahandNewMexico，evenshouldtheyasktocomeinasslaveStates。ImeantnothingaboutadditionalTerritories，because，asIunderstood，wethenhadnoTerritorywhosecharacterastoslaverywasnotalreadysettled。AstoNebraska，IregardeditscharacterasbeingfixedbytheMissouriCompromiseforthirtyyears——asunalterablyfixedasthatofmyownhomeinIllinois。Astonewacquisitions，Isaid，"Sufficientuntothedayistheevilthereof。"Whenwemakenewacquisitions，wewill，asheretofore，trytomanagethemsomehow。Thatismyanswer；thatiswhatI

meantandsaid；andIappealtothepeopletosayeachforhimselfwhetherthatisnotalsotheuniversalmeaningofthefreeStates。

Andnow，inturn，letmeaskafewquestions。If，byanyorallthesematters，therepealoftheMissouriCompromisewascommanded，whywasnotthecommandsoonerobeyed？WhywastherepealomittedintheNebraskaBillof1853？Whywasitomittedintheoriginalbillof1854？Whyintheaccompanyingreportwassucharepealcharacterizedasadeparturefromthecoursepursuedin1850anditscontinuedomissionrecommended？

IamawareJudgeDouglasnowarguesthatthesubsequentexpressrepealisnosubstantialalterationofthebill。Thisargumentseemswonderfultome。Itisasifoneshouldarguethatwhiteandblackarenotdifferent。Headmits，however，thatthereisaliteralchangeinthebill，andthathemadethechangeindeferencetoothersenatorswhowouldnotsupportthebillwithout。Thisprovesthatthoseothersenatorsthoughtthechangeasubstantialone，andthattheJudgethoughttheiropinionsworthdeferringto。Hisownopinions，therefore，seemnottorestonaveryfirmbasis，eveninhisownmind；andI

supposetheworldbelieves，andwillcontinuetobelieve，thatpreciselyonthesubstanceofthatchangethiswholeagitationhasarisen。

Iconclude，then，thatthepublicneverdemandedtherepealoftheMissouriCompromiseInowcometoconsiderwhethertheappealwithitsavowedprinciples，isintrinsicallyright。Iinsistthatitisnot。

Taketheparticularcase。Acontroversyhadarisenbetweentheadvocatesandopponentsofslavery，inrelationtoitsestablishmentwithinthecountrywehadpurchasedofFrance。Thesouthern，andthenbest，partofthepurchasewasalreadyinasaslaveState。ThecontroversywassettledbyalsolettingMissouriinasaslaveState；butwiththeagreementthatwithinalltheremainingpartofthepurchase，northofacertainline，thereshouldneverbeslavery。Astowhatwastobedonewiththeremainingpart，southoftheline，nothingwassaid；butperhapsthefairimplicationwas，itshouldcomeinwithslaveryifitshouldsochoose。Thesouthernpart，exceptaportionheretoforementioned，afterwarddidcomeinwithslavery，astheStateofArkansas。Allthesemanyyears，since1820，thenorthernparthadremainedawilderness。Atlengthsettlementsbeganinitalso。InduecourseIowacameinasafreeState，andMinnesotawasgivenaterritorialgovernment，withoutremovingtheslaveryrestriction。Finally，thesoleremainingpartnorthoftheline——KansasandNebraska——wastobeorganized；

anditisproposed，andcarried，toblotouttheolddividinglineofthirty—fouryears’standing，andtoopenthewholeofthatcountrytotheintroductionofslavery。Nowthis，tomymind，ismanifestlyunjust。Afteranangryanddangerouscontroversy，thepartiesmadefriendsbydividingtheboneofcontention。Theonepartyfirstappropriatesherownshare，beyondallpowertobedisturbedinthepossessionofit，andthenseizestheshareoftheotherparty。Itisasiftwostarvingmenhaddividedtheironlyloaf，theonehadhastilyswallowedhishalf，andthengrabbedtheother’shalfjustashewasputtingittohismouth。

Letmeheredropthemainargument，tonoticewhatIconsiderratheraninferiormatter。ItisarguedthatslaverywillnotgotoKansasandNebraska，inanyevent。Thisisapalliation，alullaby。Ihavesomehopethatitwillnot；butletusnotbetooconfident。Astoclimate，aglanceatthemapshowsthattherearefiveslaveStates——Delaware，Maryland，Virginia，Kentucky，andMissouri，andalsotheDistrictofColumbia，allnorthoftheMissouriCompromiseline。Thecensusreturnsof1850showthatwithinthesethereareeighthundredandsixty—

seventhousandtwohundredandseventy—sixslaves，beingmorethanonefourthofalltheslavesinthenation。

Itisnotclimate，then，thatwillkeepslaveryoutoftheseTerritories。Isthereanythinginthepeculiarnatureofthecountry？MissouriadjoinstheseTerritoriesbyherentirewesternboundary，andslaveryisalreadywithineveryoneofherwesterncounties。IhaveevenhearditsaidthattherearemoreslavesinproportiontowhitesinthenorthwesterncountyofMissourithanwithinanyothercountyintheState。SlaverypressedentirelyuptotheoldwesternboundaryoftheState，andwhenratherrecentlyapartofthatboundaryatthenorthwestwasmovedoutalittlefartherwest，slaveryfollowedonquiteuptothenewline。Now，whentherestrictionisremoved，whatistopreventitfromgoingstillfarther？Climatewillnot，nopeculiarityofthecountrywill，nothinginnaturewill。Willthedispositionofthepeoplepreventit？Thosenearestthesceneareallinfavoroftheextension。TheYankeeswhoareopposedtoitmaybemostflumerous；but，inmilitaryphrase，thebattlefieldistoofarfromtheirbaseofoperations。

ButitissaidtherenowisnolawinNebraskaonthesubjectofslavery，andthat，insuchcase，takingaslavethereoperateshisfreedom。Thatisgoodbook—law，butitisnottheruleofactualpractice。Whereverslaveryisithasbeenfirstintroducedwithoutlaw。Theoldestlawswefindconcerningitarenotlawsintroducingit，butregulatingitasanalreadyexistingthing。AwhitemantakeshisslavetoNebraskanow。

Whowillinformthenegrothatheisfree？Whowilltakehimbeforecourttotestthequestionofhisfreedom？Inignoranceofhislegalemancipationheiskeptchopping，splitting，andplowing。Othersarebrought，andmoveoninthesametrack。Atlast，ifeverthetimeforvotingcomesonthequestionofslaverytheinstitutionalready，infact，existsinthecountry，andcannotwellberemoved。Thefactofitspresence，andthedifficultyofitsremoval，willcarrythevoteinitsfavor。