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have us believe。 It could not be essentially true if the
Ordinance of '87 was valid。 But； in point of fact； there were
some degraded beings called slaves in Kaskaskia and the other
French settlements when our first State constitution was adopted；
that is a fact； and I don't deny it。 Slaves were brought here as
early as 1720； and were kept here in spite of the Ordinance of
1787 against it。 But slavery did not thrive here。 On the
contrary； under the influence of the ordinance the number
decreased fifty…one from 1810 to 1820； while under the influence
of squatter sovereignty； right across the river in Missouri； they
increased seven thousand two hundred and eleven in the same time；
and slavery finally faded out in Illinois； under the influence of
the law of freedom； while it grew stronger and stronger in
Missouri； under the law or practice of 〃popular sovereignty。〃 In
point of fact there were but one hundred and seventeen slaves in
Illinois one year after its admission； or one to every four
hundred and seventy of its population； or； to state it in another
way； if Illinois was a slave State in 1820； so were New York and
New Jersey much greater slave States from having had greater
numbers； slavery having been established there in very early
times。 But there is this vital difference between all these
States and the Judge's Kansas experiment： that they sought to
disestablish slavery which had been already established； while
the Judge seeks； so far as he can； to disestablish freedom； which
had been established there by the Missouri Compromise。 ＇Voices：
〃Good！〃＇
The Union is under…going a fearful strain； but it is a stout old
ship； and has weathered many a hard blow； and 〃the stars in their
courses；〃 aye； an invisible Power； greater than the puny efforts
of men； will fight for us。 But we ourselves must not decline the
burden of responsibility； nor take counsel of unworthy passions。
Whatever duty urges us to do or to omit must be done or omitted；
and the recklessness with which our adversaries break the laws；
or counsel their violation； should afford no example for us。
Therefore； let us revere the Declaration of Independence； let us
continue to obey the Constitution and the laws； let us keep step
to the music of the Union。 Let us draw a cordon； so to speak；
around the slave States； and the hateful institution； like a
reptile poisoning itself； will perish by its own infamy。
＇Applause。＇
But we cannot be free men if this is； by our national choice； to
be a land of slavery。 Those who deny freedom to others deserve
it not for themselves； and； under the rule of a just God； cannot
long retain
it。＇Loud applause。＇
Did you ever； my friends； seriously reflect upon the speed with
which we are tending downwards？ Within the memory of men now
present the leading statesman of Virginia could make genuine；
red…hot abolitionist speeches in old Virginia！ and； as I have
said； now even in 〃free Kansas〃 it is a crime to declare that it
is 〃free Kansas。〃 The very sentiments that I and others have just
uttered would entitle us； and each of us； to the ignominy and
seclusion of a dungeon； and yet I suppose that； like Paul； we
were 〃free born。〃 But if this thing is allowed to continue； it
will be but one step further to impress the same rule in
Illinois。 ＇Sensation。＇
The conclusion of all is； that we must restore the Missouri
Compromise。 We must highly resolve that Kansas must be free！
＇Great applause。＇ We must reinstate the birthday promise of the
Republic； we must reaffirm the Declaration of Independence； we
must make good in essence as well as in form Madison's avowal
that 〃the word slave ought not to appear in the Constitution〃；
and we must even go further； and decree that only local law； and
not that time…honored instrument； shall shelter a slaveholder。
We must make this a land of liberty in fact； as it is in name。
But in seeking to attain these resultsso indispensable if the
liberty which is our pride and boast shall endurewe will be
loyal to the Constitution and to the 〃flag of our Union；〃 and no
matter what our grievanceeven though Kansas shall come in as a
slave State； and no matter what theirseven if we shall restore
the compromiseWE WILL SAY TO THE SOUTHERN DISUNIONISTS； WE
WON'T GO OUT OF THE UNION； AND YOU SHAN'T！
＇This was the climax； the audience rose to its feet en masse；
applauded； stamped； waved handkerchiefs； threw hats in the air；
and ran riot for several minutes。 The arch…enchanter who wrought
this transformation looked； meanwhile； like the personification
of political justice。＇
But let us； meanwhile； appeal to the sense and patriotism of the
people； and not to their prejudices； let us spread the floods of
enthusiasm here aroused all over these vast prairies； so
suggestive of freedom。 Let us commence by electing the gallant
soldier Governor （Colonel） Bissell who stood for the honor of our
State alike on the plains and amidst the chaparral of Mexico and
on the floor of Congress； while he defied the Southern Hotspur；
and that will have a greater moral effect than all the border
ruffians can accomplish in all their raids on Kansas。 There is
both a power and a magic in popular opinion。 To that let us now
appeal； and while； in all probability； no resort to force will be
needed； our moderation and forbearance will stand US in good
stead when； if ever； WE MUST MAKE AN APPEAL TO BATTLE AND TO THE
GOD OF HOSTS！ ＇Immense applause and a rush for the orator。＇
One can realize with this ability to move people's minds that the
Southern Conspiracy were right to hate this man。 He； better than
any at the time was able to uncover their stratagems and tear
down their sophisms and contradictions。
POLITICAL CORRESPONDENCE
TO W。 C。 WHITNEY。
SPRINGFIELD； July 9； 1856。
DEAR WHITNEY：I now expect to go to Chicago on the 15th； and I
probably shall remain there or thereabouts for about two weeks。
It turned me blind when I first heard Swett was beaten and
Lovejoy nominated； but； after much reflection； I really believe
it is best to let it stand。 This； of course； I wish to be
confidential。
Lamon did get your deeds。 I went with him to the office； got
them； and put them in his hands myself。
Yours very truly；
A。 LINCOLN。
ON OUT…OF…STATE CAMPAIGNERS
TO WILLIAM GRIMES。
SPRINGFIELD； ILLINOIS； July 12； 1856
Your's of the 29th of June was duly received。 I did not answer
it because it plagued me。 This morning I received another from
Judd and Peck； written by consultation with you。 Now let me tell
you why I am plagued：
1。 I can hardly spare the time。
2。 I am superstitious。 I have scarcely known a party preceding
an election to call in help from the neighboring States but they
lost the State。 Last fall； our friends had Wade； of Ohio； and
others； in Maine； and they lost the State。 Last spring our
adver