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any free negro or mulatto from entering the State。 In short； our
Illinois 〃black 1aws〃 were hidden away in their constitution
＇Laughter＇； and the controversy was thus revived。 Then it was
that Mr。 Clay's talents shone out conspicuously； and the
controversy that shook the union to its foundation was finally
settled to the satisfaction of the conservative parties on both
sides of the line； though not to the extremists on either； and
Missouri was admitted by the small majority of six in the lower
House。 How great a majority； do you think； would have been given
had Kansas also been secured for slavery？ ＇A voice： 〃A majority
the other way。〃＇ 〃A majority the other way；〃 is answered。 Do you
think it would have been safe for a Northern man to have
confronted his constituents after having voted to consign both
Missouri and Kansas to hopeless slavery？ And yet this man
Douglas； who misrepresents his constituents and who has exerted
his highest talents in that direction； will be carried in triumph
through the State and hailed with honor while applauding that
act。 ＇Three groans for 〃Dug！〃＇ And this shows whither we are
tending。 This thing of slavery is more powerful than its
supporterseven than the high priests that minister at its
altar。 It debauches even our greatest men。 It gathers strength；
like a rolling snowball； by its own infamy。 Monstrous crimes are
committed in its name by persons collectively which they would
not dare to commit as individuals。 Its aggressions and
encroachments almost surpass belief。 In a despotism； one might
not wonder to see slavery advance steadily and remorselessly into
new dominions； but is it not wonderful； is it not even alarming；
to see its steady advance in a land dedicated to the proposition
that 〃all men are created equal〃？ ＇Sensation。＇
It yields nothing itself； it keeps all it has； and gets all it
can besides。 It really came dangerously near securing Illinois
in 1824； it did get Missouri in 1821。 The first proposition was
to admit what is now Arkansas and Missouri as one slave State。
But the territory was divided and Arkansas came in； without
serious question； as a slave State； and afterwards Missouri； not；
as a sort of equality； free； but also as a slave State。 Then we
had Florida and Texas； and now Kansas is about to be forced into
the dismal procession。 ＇Sensation。＇ And so it is wherever you
look。 We have not forgottenit is but six years sincehow
dangerously near California came to being a slave State。 Texas
is a slave State； and four other slave States may be carved from
its vast domain。 And yet； in the year 1829； slavery was
abolished throughout that vast region by a royal decree of the
then sovereign of Mexico。 Will you please tell me by what right
slavery exists in Texas to…day？ By the same right as； and no
higher or greater than； slavery is seeking dominion in Kansas：
by political forcepeaceful； if that will suffice； by the torch
（as in Kansas） and the bludgeon （as in the Senate chamber）； if
required。 And so history repeats itself； and even as slavery has
kept its course by craft； intimidation； and violence in the past；
so it will persist； in my judgment； until met and dominated by
the will of a people bent on its restriction。
We have； this very afternoon； heard bitter denunciations of
Brooks in Washington； and Titus； Stringfellow； Atchison； Jones；
and Shannon in Kansasthe battle…ground of slavery。 I certainly
am not going to advocate or shield them； but they and their acts
are but the necessary outcome of the Nebraska law。 We should
reserve our highest censure for the authors of the mischief； and
not for the catspaws which they use。 I believe it was
Shakespeare who said； 〃Where the offence lies； there let the axe
fall〃； and； in my opinion； this man Douglas and the Northern men
in Congress who advocate 〃Nebraska〃 are more guilty than a
thousand Joneses and Stringfellows； with all their murderous
practices； can be。 ＇Applause。＇
We have made a good beginning here to…day。 As our Methodist
friends would say； 〃I feel it is good to be here。〃 While
extremists may find some fault with the moderation of our
platform； they should recollect that 〃the battle is not always to
the strong； nor the race to the swift。〃 In grave emergencies；
moderation is generally safer than radicalism； and as this
struggle is likely to be long and earnest； we must not； by our
action； repel any who are in sympathy with us in the main； but
rather win all that we can to our standard。 We must not belittle
nor overlook the facts of our conditionthat we are new and
comparatively weak； while our enemies are entrenched and
relatively strong。 They have the administration and the
political power； and； right or wrong； at present they have the
numbers。 Our friends who urge an appeal to arms with so much
force and eloquence should recollect that the government is
arrayed against us； and that the numbers are now arrayed against
us as well； or； to state it nearer to the truth； they are not yet
expressly and affirmatively for us； and we should repel friends
rather than gain them by anything savoring of revolutionary
methods。 As it now stands； we must appeal to the sober sense and
patriotism of the people。 We will make converts day by day； we
will grow strong by calmness and moderation； we will grow strong
by the violence and injustice of our adversaries。 And； unless
truth be a mockery and justice a hollow lie； we will be in the
majority after a while； and then the revolution which we will
accomplish will be none the less radical from being the result of
pacific measures。 The battle of freedom is to be fought out on
principle。 Slavery is a violation of the eternal right。 We have
temporized with it from the necessities of our condition； but as
sure as God reigns and school children read； THAT BLACK FOUL LIE
CAN NEVER BE CONSECRATED INTO GOD'S HALLOWED TRUTH！ ＇Immense
applause lasting some time。＇
One of our greatest difficulties is； that men who know that
slavery is a detestable crime and ruinous to the nation are
compelled； by our peculiar condition and other circumstances； to
advocate it concretely； though damning it in the raw。 Henry Clay
was a brilliant example of this tendency； others of our purest
statesmen are compelled to do so； and thus slavery secures actual
support from those who detest it at heart。 Yet Henry Clay
perfected and forced through the compromise which secured to
slavery a great State as well as a political advantage。 Not that
he hated slavery less； but that he loved the whole Union more。
As long as slavery profited by his great compromise； the hosts of
proslavery could not sufficiently cover him with praise； but now
that this compromise stands in their way…
〃。。。。they never mention him；
His name is never heard：
Their lips are now forbid to speak
That once familiar word。〃
They have slaughtered one of his most cherished measures； a