ThekeytothepoliticalsituationintheNorth，duringthatmomentousyear，wastobefoundinthegreatnumberofableWhigswho，seeingthattheirownpartywaslostbutrefusingtobesidetrackedbythemake-believeissueoftheKnow-Nothings，werenowhesitatingwhattodo。ThoughtheordinarypoliticiansamongtheRepublicansdoubtlesswishedtoconciliatetheseunattachedWhigs，theastutenessoftheleaderswastoogreattoallowthemtosuccumbtothattemptation。Theyseemtohavefearedthepossibleeffectofimmediatelyincorporatingintheirranks，whiletheirneworganizationwasstillsoplastic，thebulkofthoseconservativeclasseswhichwere，afterall，thebackboneofthisirreducibleWhigminimum。
TheRepublicancampaignwasconductedwithadegreeofpassionthathadscarcelybeenequaledinAmericabeforethatday。Tothewell-orderedspiritoftheconservativeclassesthetonewhichtheRepublicansassumedappearedshocking。Boldlysectionalintheirlanguage，sweepingintheirdenunciationofslavery，theleadersofthecampaignmadebitterandeffectiveuseofanumberofrecentevents。"UncleTom'sCabin"，publishedin1852，andalreadyimmenselypopular，wasusedasapoliticaltracttoarouse，byitsgruesomepictureofslavery，ahatredofslaveholders。ReturnedsettlersfromKansaswentabouttheNorthtellinghorriblestoriesofguerrillawarfare，socoloredastothrowtheodiumallononeside。
ThescandalofthemomentwastheattackmadebyPrestonBrooksonSumner，afterthelatter'sfuriousdiatribeintheSenate，whichwaspublishedas"TheCrimeAgainstKansas"。WithdoubleskilltheRepublicansmadeequalcapitaloutoftheintellectualviolenceofthespeechandthephysicalviolenceoftheretort。Inadditiontothis，therewasreadytotheirhandstheevidenceofSouthernandDemocraticsympathywithafilibusteringattempttoconquertherepublicofNicaragua，whereWilliamWalker，anAmericanadventurer，hadrecentlymadehimselfdictator。WalkerhadsucceededinhavinghisministeracknowledgedbytheDemocraticAdministration，andinobtainingtheendorsementofagreatDemocraticmeetingwhichwasheldinNewYork。Itlooked，therefore，asifthepartyofpoliticalevasionhadananchortowindward，andthat，intheeventoftheirlosinginKansas，theyintendedtoplacatetheirSouthernwingbytheannexationofNicaragua。
Here，indeed，wasastrongerpoliticaltempestthanDouglas，weatherwisethoughhewas，hadforeseen。Howwaspoliticalevasiontobraveit?WithacouragequiteequaltotheboldnessoftheRepublicans，theDemocratstookanothertackandsteeredforlesstroubledwaters。TheirconventionatCincinnatiwastemperateanddiscreetinallitsexpressions，andforPresidentitnominatedaNortherner，JamesBuchananofPennsylvania，amanwhowaswhollydissociatedinthepublicmindfromthestruggleoverKansas。
TheDemocraticpartyleadersknewthattheyalreadyhadtwostronggroupsofsupporters。Whatevertheydid，theSouthwouldhavetogoalongwiththem，initsreactionagainstthefurioussectionalismoftheRepublicans。BesidestheSouthernsupport，theDemocratscountedupontheaidoftheprofessionalpoliticians——thosemenwhoconsideredpoliticsratherasafascinatinggamethanasseriousanddifficultworkbaseduponprinciple。UponthesetheDemocratscouldconfidentlyrely，fortheyalreadyhad，inDouglasintheNorthandToombsintheSouth，twomasterpoliticianswhoknewthistypeanditsimpulsesintimately，becausetheythemselvesbelongedtoit。ButtheDemocratsneededthesupportofathirdgroup。IftheycouldonlywinovertheNorthernremnantoftheWhigsthatwasstillunattached，theirpositionwouldbesecure。Intheireffortstoobtainthisadditionalandverynecessaryreinforcement，theydecidedtoappearastemperateandrestrainedaspossible——awellbredpartywhichallmildandconservativemencouldtrust。
ThisattitudetheyformulatedinconnectionwithKansas，whichatthattimehadtwogovernments:one，aterritorialgovernment，setupbyemigrantsfromtheSouth；theother，astategovernment，undertheconstitutiondrawnupatTopekabyemigrantsfromtheNorth。Oneauthorizedslavery；theotherprohibitedslavery；andbothhadappealedtoWashingtonforrecognition。ItwaswiththisquitedefiniteissuethatCongresswaschieflyconcernedinthespringof1856。DuringthesummerToombsintroducedabillsecuringtothesettlersofKansascompletefreedomofactionandprovidingforanelectionofdelegatestoaconventiontodrawupastateconstitutionwhichwoulddeterminewhetherslaveryorfreedomwastoprevail——inotherwords，whetherKansaswastobeannexedtotheSouthortotheNorth。ThisbillwasmerelythefullexpressionofwhatDouglashadaimedatin1854andofwhatwasnicknamed"popularsovereignty"——therightofthelocalitytochooseforitselfbetweenslaveandfreelabor。
Twoyearsbefore，suchameasurewouldhaveseemedradical。Butinpoliticstimeiswonderfullyelastic。Thosetwoyearshadbeenpackedwithturmoil。Kansashadbeenthesceneofabloodyconflict。Regardlessofwhichsidehadamajorityontheground，extremistsoneachsidehaddemandedrecognitionforthegovernmentsetupbytheirownparty。Bycontrast，Toombs'soffertoletthemajorityruleappearedtemperate。
TheRepublicanssawinstantlythattheymustdiscredittheproposalorthegroundwouldbecutfromunderthem。ThoughthebillpassedtheSenate，theywereabletosetitasideintheHouseinfavorofabilladmittingKansasasafreestatewiththeTopekaconstitution。TheDemocratsthereuponaccusedtheRepublicansofnotwantingpeaceandofwishingtokeepupthewar-cry"BleedingKansas"untilelectiontime。
That，throughoutthecountry，thetwopartiescontinuedonthelinesofpolicytheyhadchosenmaybeseenfromanillustration。
AHousecommitteewhichhadgonetoKansastoinvestigatesubmittedtworeports，oneofwhich，submittedbyaDemocraticmember，toldthetruestoryofthemurderscommittedbyJohnBrownatPottawatomie。Andyet，whiletheRepublicansspreadeverywheretheirshockingtalesofmurdersoffree-statesettlers，theDemocratsmadepracticallynouseofthisequallyshockingtaleofthemurderofslaveholders。Apparentlytheywereresolvedtoappeartemperateandconservativetothebitterend。
Andtheyhadtheirreward。Or，perhapsthefuryoftheRepublicanshaditsjustdeserts。Fromeitherpointofview，theresultwasachoiceofevilsonthepartofthereluctantWhigs，andthatchoicewasexpressedinthefollowingwordsbyastypicalaNewEnglanderasRufusChoate:"ThefirstdutyofWhigs，"wroteChoatetotheMaineStatecentralcommittee，"istounitewithsomeorganizationofourcountrymentodefeatanddissolvethenewgeographicalpartycallingitselfRepublican……
Thequestionforeachandeveryoneofusis……bywhatvotecanI
domosttopreventthemadnessofthetimesfromworkingitsmaddestacttheveryecstasyofitsmadness——thepermanentformationandtheactualtriumphofapartywhichknowsonehalfofAmericaonlytohateanddreadit。IftheRepublicanparty，"
Choatecontinued，"accomplishesitsobjectandgivesthegovernmenttotheNorth，Iturnmyeyesfromtheconsequences。
TothefifteenstatesoftheSouththatgovernmentwillappearanaliengovernment。Itwillappearworse。Itwillappearahostilegovernment。Itwillrepresenttotheireyeavastregionofstatesorganizeduponanti-slavery，flushedbytriumph，cheeredonwardbythevoiceofthepulpit，tribune，andpress；
itsmission，toinauguratefreedomandputdowntheoligarchy；
itsconstitution，theglitteringandsoundinggeneralitiesofnaturalrightwhichmakeuptheDeclarationofIndependence……
Practicallythecontest，inmyjudgment，isbetweenMr。BuchananandColonelFremont。Inthesecircumstances，IvoteforMr。
Buchanan。"
ThepartyofpoliticalevasionthusbecametherefugeoftheoldoriginalWhigswhowereforcedtotakeadvantageofanyportinastorm。Buchananwaselectedbyanoverwhelmingmajority。Tothecarelesseye，Douglashadbeenjustifiedbyresults；hispartyhadtriumphedasperhapsneverbefore；andyet，nogreatpoliticalsuccesswaseverbaseduponlessstablefoundations。
Tomaintainthisposition，thoseNorthernerswhoreasonedasChoatedidwereanecessity；buttokeeptheminthepartyofpoliticalevasionwoulddependupontheabilityofthispartytoplaythegameofpoliticswithoutacknowledgingsectionalbias。
WhetherthisdifficulttaskcouldbeaccomplishedwoulddependupontheSouth。Toombs，onhispart，wasanxioustocontinuemakingthepartyofevasionplaythegreatAmericangameofpolitics，andinhiseagernessheperhapsoverestimatedhisholdupontheSouth。This，however，remainstobeseen。
AlreadyanotherfactionhadformedaroundWilliamL。YanceyofAlabama——afactionasintolerantofpoliticalevasionastheRepublicansthemselves，andonethatwaseagertomatchthesectionalNorthernpartybyasectionalSouthernparty。IthadforthemomentfallenintolinewiththeToombsfactionbecause，liketheWhigs，ithadnotthecouragetodootherwise。Thequestionnowwaswhetheritwouldcontinuefearful，andwhetherpoliticalevasionwouldcontinuetoreign。
ThekeytothehistoryofthenextfouryearsisinthegrowthofthispositiveSouthernparty，whichhadtheinevitableresultofforcingtheWhigremaindertochoose，notasin1856betweenapositivesectionalpolicyandanevasivenonsectionalpolicy，butin1860betweentwopoliciesbothofwhichwereatoncepositiveandsectional。
CHAPTERIII。THEPOLITICIANSANDTHENEWDAY
TheSouthhadthusfarbeenkeptinlinewiththecauseofpoliticalevasionbyasmallgroupofablepoliticians，chiefamongwhomwereRobertToombs，HowellCobb，andAlexanderH。
Stephens。CuriouslyenoughallthreewereGeorgians，andthismightindeedbecalledthedayofGeorgiainthehistoryoftheSouth。
Adifferenttypeofman，however，andonesignificantofadivergentpointofview，hadlongendeavoredtoshaketheleadershipoftheGeorgiangroup。RhettinSouthCarolina，JeffersonDavisinMississippi，andaboveallYanceyinAlabama，togetherwiththeinterestsandsentimentwhichtheyrepresented，werealmostreadytocontesttheorthodoxyofthepolicyof"nothingdoing。"Toconsolidatetheinterestsbehindthem，toarouseandfirethesentimentonwhichtheyrelied，wasnowtheconfessedpurposeofthesedeterminedmen。SolittleattentionhashithertobeengiventomotiveinAmericanpoliticsthatthemodernstudentstilllacksaclear-cutandintelligentperceptionofthesevariousfactions。Inspiteofthisfact，however，thesemenmaysafelyberegardedasbeingdistinctlymoreintellectual，andashavingdistinctlydeepernatures，thanthemenwhocametogetherundertheleadershipofToombsandCobb，andwhohadthetrueprovincialenthusiasmforpoliticsasthegreatAmericansport。
ThefactionsofbothToombsandYanceywereintenselySouthernand，wheneveracrisismightcome，neithermeanttohesitateaninstantoverstrikinghardfortheSouth。Toombs，however，wantedtopreventsuchasituation，whileYanceywasanxioustoforceone。Theformerconceivedfelicityasthejoyofplayingpoliticsonthebiggeststage，andhethereforebentallhisstrengthtopreservingtheso-callednationalparties；thelatter，scornfulofallsuchunion，wasforaseparateSoutherncommunity。
Furthermore，nomancouldbecomeenthusiasticaboutpoliticalevasionunlessbynaturehealsotookkindlytocompromise。So，ToombsandhisfollowerswereforpreservingthenegativeDemocraticpositionof1856。InaformalpaperofgreatabilityStephensdefendedthatpositionwhenheappearedforreelectiontoCongressin1857。Cobb，whohadenteredBuchanan'sCabinetasSecretaryoftheTreasury，andwhospokehopefullyofmakingKansasaslavestate，insistedneverthelessthatsuchachangemustbe"broughtaboutbytherecognizedprinciplesofcarryingoutthewillofthemajoritywhichisthegreatdoctrineoftheKansasBill。"ToYancey，astotheRepublicans，Kansaswasadisputedborder-landforwhichtheso-calledtwonationswerefighting。
TheinternalSouthernconflictbetweenthesetwofactionsbegananewwiththeCongressionalelectionsof1857。Itisworthobservingthatthemake-upofthesefactionswasalmostaresurrectionofthetwogroupswhich，in1850，haddividedtheSouthonthequestionofrejectingtheCompromise。InalettertoStephensinreferencetooneoftheYanceymen，Cobbprophesied:"McDonaldwillutterlyfailtogetupanewSouthernRightsparty。Burntchildrendreadthefire，andhecannotgetupasstronganorganizationashedidin1850。Stillitisnecessarytoguardeverypoint，asMcDonaldisahardhandtodealwith。"Forthemoment，heforetoldeventscorrectly。TheSouthernelectionsof1857didnotbreaktheholdofthemoderates。
Yanceyturnedtodifferentmachinery，quiteasusefulforhispurpose。ThishefoundintheSoutherncommercialconventions，whichwereheldannually。Atthispointtherearisesavexedquestionwhichhas，oflate，arousedmuchdiscussion。Wastherethenwhatweshouldcalltodayaslave"interest"?Wasorganizedcapitaldeliberatelyexploitingslavery?AnddidYanceyplayintoitshands?*Thetruthseemstobethat，between1856and1860，boththeidealistparties，theRepublicansandtheSecessionists，madepeacewith，shallwesay，theMammonofunrighteousness，ormerelyorganizedcapital?TheonejoinedhandswiththeironinterestoftheNorth；theother，withtheslaveinterestoftheSouth。TheRepublicanspreachedthedominationoftheNorthandaprotectivetariff；theYanceymenpreachedtheindependenceoftheSouthandthereopeningoftheslavetrade。
*Forthosewhowouldbepersuadedthattherewassuchaslaveinterest，perhapsthebestpresentationistobefoundinProfessorDodd'sLifeofJeffersonDavis。
ThesetwoissuesYancey，however，failedtounite，thoughthecommercialconventionof1859atlastgaveitssupporttoaresolutionthatalllaws，stateorfederal，prohibitingtheAfricanslavetradeoughttoberepealed。ThatgreatbodyofNortherncapitalwhichhaddealingswiththeSouthwasready，asitalwayshadbeen，tofinanceanyschemethatSouthernbusinessdesired。SlaverswerefittedoutinNewYork，andthecityauthoritiesdidnotpreventtheirsailing。AgainstthissomberbackgroundstandsforththatmuchadmiredactionofLewisCassofMichigan，Buchanan'sSecretaryofState。Alreadytheslavetradewasinprocessofrevival，andtheBritishNavy，impelledbythepowerfulanti-slaverysentimentinEngland，wasactiveinitssuppression。Americanshipssuspectedofbeingslaverswerevisitedandsearched。Cassseizedhisopportunity，anddeclaringthatsuchthings"couldnotbesubmittedtobyanindependentnationwithoutdishonor，"sentoutAmericanwarshipstopreventthisinterference。ThereupontheBritishgovernmentconsentedtogiveuptryingtopolicetheoceanagainstslavers。Itisindeedtrue，therefore，thatneitherNorthnorSouthhasanhistoricalmonopolyofthesupportofslavery!
Itisbutfairtoaddthat，sofarasthemovementtoreopentheslavetradefoundfavoroutsidetheslavebaronsandtheirNewYorkallies，itwasadvocatedasameansofpoliticaldefense，ofincreasingSouthernpopulationasanoffsettothemovementoffreeemigrationintotheNorth，andofkeepingtheproportionofSouthernrepresentationinCongress。Stephens，justafterCasshadsuccessfullytwistedthelion'stail，tookthispositioninaspeechthatcausedasensation。Inaprivateletterheadded，"Unlesswegetimmigrationfromabroad，weshallhavefewmoreslavestates。Thisgreattruthseemstotakethepeoplebysurprise。Someshrinkfromitastheywouldfromdeath。Still，itisastrueasdeath。"Thescheme，however，neverreceivedgeneralacceptance；andintheconstitutionoftheSouthernConfederacytherewasasectionprohibitingtheAfricanslavetrade。Ontheotherofthesetwoissues——theindependenceoftheSouth——Yanceysteadilygainedground。Witheachyearfrom1856
to1860，alargerproportionofSouthernersdrewoutofpoliticalevasionandgaveadherencetotheideaofpresentinganultimatumtotheNorth，withsecessionasanalternative。
Meanwhile，BuchanansenttoKansas，asGovernor，RobertJ。
Walker，oneofthemostastuteoftheDemocratsoftheoppositefactionandaMississippian。ThetangledsituationwhichWalkerfound，thedetailsofhisattempttostraightenitout，belonginanothervolume。*ItisenoughinthisconnectionmerelytomentiontheepisodeoftheLecomptonconventionintheelectionofwhichtheNorthernsettlersrefusedtoparticipate，thoughWalkerhadpromisedthattheyshouldhavefullprotectionandafaircountaswellasthattheworkoftheconventionshouldbesubmittedtoapopularvote。ThisactionofWalker'swasonemorecauseofcontentionbetweenthewarringfactionsintheSouth。ThefactthathehadmettheNorthernershalf-waywasseizeduponbytheYanceymenasevidenceofthebetrayaloftheSouthbytheDemocraticmoderates。Ontheotherhand，Cobb，writingofthesituationinKansas，saidthat"alargemajorityareagainstslaveryand……ourfriendsregardthefateofKansasasafreestateprettywellfixed……thepro-slaverymen，findingthatKansaswaslikelytobecomeaBlackRepublicanState，determinedtounitewiththefree-stateDemocrats。"HereisthecluetoWalker'scourse。Asastrictpartyman，hepreferredtoacceptKansasfree，withDemocratsincontrol，ratherthanrisklosingitaltogether。
*SeeJesseMacy，"TheAnti-SlaveryCrusade"。In"TheChroniclesofAmerica"。
ThenextstepintheaffairisoneoftheunsolvedproblemsinAmericanhistory。Buchanansuddenlychangedfront，disgracedWalker，andthrewhimselfintothearmsoftheSouthernextremists。Thoughhisreasonsfordoingsohavebeendebatedtothisday，theyhavenotyetbeenestablishedbeyonddispute。
WhatseemstobethefavoriteexplanationisthatBuchananwasinapanic。Whatbroughthimtothatconditionmayhavebeenthefollowingevents。
Thefree-statemen，byrefusingtotakepartinelectingtheconvention，hadgivencontroltotheslaveholders，whoprovedtheywerenotslowtoseizetheiropportunity。Theydrewupaconstitutionfavoringslavery，butthisconstitution，Walkerhadpromised，wastobesubmittedinreferendum。Iftheconventiondecided，however，nottosubmittheconstitution，wouldnotCongresshavetherighttoacceptitandadmitKansasasaMate?
Thisquestionwasimmediatelyraised。Itnowbecameplainthat，byrefusingtotakepartintheelection，thefree-stateKansanshadthrownawayagreattacticaladvantage。OfthisblunderingeneralshiptheYanceymentookinstantadvantage。ItwasknownthattheproportionofFree-SoilersinKansaswasverygreat——
perhapsamajority——andtheSouthernersreasonedthattheyshouldnotbeobligedtogiveuptheadvantagetheyhadwonmerelytolettheirenemiesretrievetheirmistake。JeffersonDavisformulatedthispositioninanaddresstotheMississippiLegislatureinwhichheinsistedthatCongress，nottheKansaselectorate，wasentitledtocreatetheKansasconstitution，thattheConventionwasaproperlychosenbody，andthatitsworkshouldstand。WhatDavissaidinastatelyway，otherssaidinafuriousway。BuchananstatedafterwardthathechangedfrontbecausecertainSouthernStateshadthreatenedthat，ifhedidnotabandonWalker，theywouldsecede。
Bethatasitmay，BuchanandidabandonWalkerandthrewalltheinfluenceoftheAdministrationinfavorofadmittingKansaswiththeLecomptonconstitution。Butwouldthisbetruetothatprincipleof"popularsovereignty"whichwastheveryessenceoftheKansas-NebraskaAct?Woulditbetruetotheprinciplethateachlocalityshoulddecideforitselfbetweenslaveryandfreedom?OnthisissuetheSouthernerswerefairlygenerallyagreedandmaintainedthattherewasnoobligationtogobehindtheworkoftheconvention。Notso，however，thegreatexponentofpopularsovereignty，Douglas。RisinginhisplaceintheSenate，hechargedthePresidentwithconspiringtodefeatthewillofthemajorityinKansas。"IfKansaswantsaslavestateconstitution，"saidhe，"shehasarighttoit；ifshewantsafreestateconstitution，shehasarighttoit。Itisnoneofmybusinesswhichwaytheslaveryclauseisdecided。Icarenotwhetheritisvotedupordown。"
TherefollowedoneofthoseprolongedlegislativebattlesforwhichtheCongressoftheUnitedStatesisjustlycelebrated。
Furiousoratory，propositions，counter-propositions，projectedcompromises，othercompromises，andattheendnothingpositive。
ButDouglashaddefeatedtheattempttobringinKansaswiththeLecomptonconstitution。Astothedetailsofthestory，theyincludesuchdistinguishedhappeningsasabrawling，all-nightsessionwhen"thirtymen，atleast，wereengagedinthefisticuff，"andoneRepresentativeknockedanotherdown。
Douglaswasagainatthecenterofthestage，buthistermasSenatorwasnearingitsend。HeandthePresidenthadsplittheirparty。PursuedbythevengefulmaliceoftheAdministration，Douglaswenthomein1858toIllinoistofightforhisreelection。Hisissue，ofcourse，waspopularsovereignty。Histemperwasstillthetemperofpoliticalevasion。Howtoholdfasttohisowndoctrine，andatthesametimekeeptohisprogrammeof"nothingdoing"；howtosatisfythenegativeDemocratsoftheNorthwithoutlosinghislastholdonthepositivemenoftheSouth——suchwerehisproblems，andtheyweremadestillmoredifficultbyarecentdecisionoftheSupremeCourt。
ThenowfamouscaseofDredScotthadbeendecidedinthepreviousyear。Itsbewilderinglegaltechnicalitiesmayherebepassedover；fundamentally，therealquestioninvolvedwasthestatusofanegro，DredScott。AslavewhohadbeenownedinMissouri，andwhohadbeentakenbyhismastertotheStateofIllinois，tothefreeterritoryofMinnesota，andthenbacktoMissouri，nowclaimedtobefree。TheSupremeCourtundertooktodecidewhetherhisresidenceinMinnesotarenderedhimfree，andalsowhetheranynegroofslavedescentcouldbeacitizenoftheUnitedStates。TheofficialopinionoftheCourt，deliveredbyChiefJusticeTaney，decidedbothquestionsagainstthesuppliant。Itwasheldthatthe"citizens"recognizedbytheConstitutiondidnotincludenegroes。So，evenifScottwerefree，hecouldnotbeconsideredacitizenentitledtobringsuitintheFederalCourts。Furthermore，hecouldnotbeconsideredfree，inspiteofhisresidenceinMinnesota，because，astheCourtnowruled，Congress，whenitenactedtheMissouriCompromise，hadexceededitsauthority；theenactmenthadneverreallybeeninforce；therewasnobindingprohibitionofslaveryintheNorthwesternterritories。
Ifthisdecisionwasgoodlaw，allthediscussionaboutpopularsovereigntywentfornothing，andneitheranactofCongressnorthevoteofthepopulationofaterritory，whetherfororagainstslavery，wasofanyvaluewhatsoever。NothingmattereduntilthenewmadestateitselftookactionafteritsadmissiontotheUnion。Untilthattime，nopower，nationalorlocal，couldlawfullyinterferewiththeintroductionofslaves。InthecaseofKansas，itwasnolongeroftheleastimportancewhatbecameoftheLecomptonconstitutionorofanyotherthatthesettlersmightmake。Theterritorywasopentosettlementbyslaveholdersandwouldcontinuetobesoaslongasitremainedaterritory。
ThesameconditionsexistedinNebraskaandinalltheNorthwest。
TheDredScottdecisionwasacceptedasorthodoxDemocraticdoctrinebytheSouth，bytheAdministration，andbythe"NorthernmenwithSouthernprinciples。"TheastutemastersofthegameofpoliticsontheDemocraticsidestruckthenoteoflegality。Thiswaslaw，theexpressionofthehighesttribunaloftheRepublic；whatmorewastobesaid?Thoughintruththerewasbutoneotherthingtobesaid，andthatrevolutionary，theRepublicans，nevertheless，didnotfalteroverit。SewardannounceditinaspeechinCongresson"FreedominKansas，"whenheutteredthismenace:"WeshallreorganizetheCourtandthusreformitspoliticalsentimentsandpractices。"
Intheautumnof1858DouglasattemptedtoperformtheacrobaticfeatofreconcilingtheDredScottdecision，whichasaDemocrathehadtoaccept，withthatideaofpopularsovereigntywithoutwhichhisimmediatefollowerscouldnotbecontent。InacceptingtheRepublicannominationasDouglas'sopponentforthesenatorship，Lincolnusedthesewordswhichhavetakenrankamonghismostfamousutterances:"Ahousedividedagainstitselfcannotstand。Ibelievethisgovernmentcannotendurepermanentlyhalfslaveandhalffree。IdonotexpecttheUniontobedissolved。IdonotexpectthehousetofallbutIdoexpectitwillceasetobedivided。Itwillbecomeallonethingoralltheother。Eithertheopponentsofslaverywillarrestthefurtherspreadofit，andplaceitwherethepublicmindshallrestinthebeliefthatitisinthecourseofultimateextinction；oritsadvocateswillpushitforwardtillitshallbecomealikelawfulinallthestates，oldaswellasnew——NorthaswellasSouth。"
Noonehadeversotellinglyexpressedthedeathgrappleofthesections:slaverytheweaponofone，freelabortheweaponoftheother。ThoughLincolnwasatthattimeforty-nineyearsold，hispoliticalexperience，incontrastwiththatofDouglas，wasnegligible。HeafterwardaptlydescribedhisearlylifeinthatexpressivelinefromGray，"Theshortandsimpleannalsofthepoor。"Helackedregularschooling，anditwasaltogetherfromthepracticeoflawthathehadgainedsuchformaleducationashehad。Inlaw，however，hehadbecomeamaster，andhisposition，tojudgefromtheclassofcasesentrustedtohim，wassecondtononeinIllinois。Tothatsevereyetwholesomecastofmindwhichthelawestablishesinmennaturallylofty，Lincolnaddedthetonicinfluenceofasenseofstyle——nottheverbalacrobaticsofarhetorician，butthatpowertomakewordsandthoughtaunitwhichmakestheartistofamanwhohasgreatideas。HowLincolncamebythisliteraryfacultyis，indeed，aspuzzlingashowBurnscamebyit。Butthereitwas，disciplinedbythecourtroom，madepungentbyfamiliaritywithplainpeople，stimulatedbyconstantreadingofShakespeare，andchastenedbystudyoftheBible。
ItwasarrangedthatDouglasandLincolnshouldtourtheStatetogetherinaseriesofjointdebates。Asaconsequencetherefollowedamostinterestingoppositionofmethodsintheuseofwords，acontestbetweenthemethodformedinCongressatatimewhenCongresswasaperfectrhetoricalacademy，andthatmethodofusingwordswhichwasbasedonanarduousstudyofBlackstone，Shakespeare，andIsaiah。LincolnissuedfromthedebatesoneofthechiefintellectualleadersofAmerica，andwithaplaceinEnglishliterature；DouglascameoutaSenatorfromIllinois。
ButthoughDouglaskepthisfollowingtogether，andthoughLincolnwasvoteddown，toLincolnbelongedtherealstrategicvictory。Inordertosavehimselfwithhisownpeople，DouglashadbeenforcedtomakeadmissionsthatruinedhimwiththeSouth。Becauseoftheseadmissionsthebreachinthepartyofpoliticalevasionbecameirreparable。ItwasinthedebateatFreeportthatDouglas'sfateovertookhim，forLincolnputthisquestion:"CanthepeopleofaUnitedStatesterritory，inanylawfulway，againstthewishofanycitizenoftheUnitedStates，excludeslaveryfromitslimits，priortotheformationofastateconstitution?"
Douglasansweredinhisbeststyleofpoliticalthunder。"Itmattersnot，"hesaid，"whatwaytheSupremeCourtmayhereafterdecideastotheabstractquestionwhetherslaverymayormaynotgointoaterritoryundertheConstitution；thepeoplehavethelawfulmeanstointroduceitorexcludeitastheyplease，forthereasonthatslaverycannotexistadayoranhouranywhereunlessitissupportedbylocalpoliceregulations。Thosepoliceregulationscanonlybeestablishedbythelocallegislatures；
andifthepeopleareopposedtoslavery，theywillelectrepresentativestothatbodywhowillbyunfriendlylegislationeffectuallypreventtheintroductionofitintotheirmidst。If，onthecontrary，theyareforit，theirlegislationwillfavoritsextension。Hence，nomatterwhatthedecisionoftheSupremeCourtmaybeonthatabstractquestion，stilltherightofthepeopletomakeaslaveterritoryorafreeterritoryisperfectandcompleteundertheNebraskaBill。"
Astothemoralaspectofhisactions，Douglasmustultimatelybejudgedbythesignificancewhichthispositioninwhichheplacedhimselfassumedinhisownmind。Friendlycriticsexcusehim:aninterpretationoftheDredScottdecisionwhichexplaineditawayasanirresponsibleutteranceonasubjectoutsidethescopeofthecase，amereobiterdictum，isthejustificationwhichiscalledintosavehimfromthechargeofinsincerity。Hisfriends，today，admitthatthisinterpretationwasbadlaw，butmaintainthatitmayhavebeengoodmorals，andthatDouglashonestlyheldit。Butmanyofushavenotyetadvancedsofarincriticalgenerosity，andcannothelpfeelingthatDouglas'spositionremainspoliticallegerdemain——anattemptbyagreatofficerofthegovernment，professingtodefendtheSupremeCourt，toshowthepeoplehowtogothroughthemotionsofobediencetotheCourtwhiledefeatingitsintention。Ifnotdouble-dealinginastrictsense，itmustyetbeconsideredashavinginitthetemperofdouble-dealing。*Thiswas，indeed，theviewofmanymenofhisowndayand，amongthem，ofLincoln。YetthetypeofmanonwhomthemastersofthegameofpoliticsreliedsawnothinginDouglas'spositionatwhichtobedisturbed。Itwasmerelyplayingpolitics，andifthatabsorbingsportrequiredonetocarrywateronbothshoulders，why——playthegame!Douglaswasthemanforpeoplelikethat。TheycheeredhimtotheechoandsenthimbacktotheSenate。SowellwasthistypeunderstoodbysomeofLincoln'sfriendsthattheyhadbeggedhim，atleastaccordingtotradition，nottoputthequestionatFreeport，asbydoingsohewouldenableDouglastosavehimselfwithhisconstituency。Lincolnsawfurther，however。HeunderstoodbetterthantheytheforcesthenatworkinAmerica。Thereplyreportedofhimwas:"IfDouglasanswers，hecanneverbePresident，andthebattleof1860isworthahundredofthis。"
*TherearethreewaysofregardingDouglas'sposition:1AsadaringpieceofevasiondesignedtoholdalltheDemocratstogether；2asanattempttosecurehislocalityatallcosts，takinghischancesontheSouth；3asasincereexpressionofthelegalinterpretationmentionedabove。Itisimpossibleinattemptingtochooseamongthesetoescapewhollyone'simpressionoftheman'scharacter。
WellmightYanceyandhisfollowersreceivewithashoutofjoythe"FreeportDoctrine，"asDouglas'ssupremeevasionwascalled。
ShouldSouthernerstrustanylongerthemanwhohadevolvedfromtheprincipleoflet-'em-alonetotheprincipleofdouble-dealing?However，theSouthernerswerefarfromcontrollingthesituation。Thoughtheeventsof1858hadcreateddiscordintheDemocraticparty，theyhadnotconsolidatedtheSouth。MenlikeToombsandStephenswerestillhopefulofkeepingtheStatestogetherintheoldbondofpoliticalevasion。
TheDemocraticmachine，damagedthoughitwas，hadnotyetlostitsholdonthemoderateSouth，andwhilethatcontinuedtobethecase，therewasstillpowerinit。
CHAPTERIV。THECRISIS
TheSouthernmoderatesin1859formoneofthosepoliticalgroups，numerousenoughinhistory，whoatacrisisarrestourimaginationbecauseoftheironyoftheirsituation。
Unsuspecting，thesemenwenttheirway，duringthelastsummeroftheoldregime，busywiththeordinaryaffairsofstate，absorbedintheiroppositiontotheSouthernradicals，neverdreamingofthedoomthatwassecretlymovingtowardthemthroughtheplansofJohnBrown。InthesoftbrilliancyoftheSouthernsummerwhentheroseswereinbloom，manygravegentlemenwalkedslowlyupanddowntogetherundertheoaksoftheirplantationavenues，inthegratefuldusk，talkingeagerlyofhowthescalestrembledinSouthernpoliticsbetweenToombsandYancey，andquestioningwhethertheextremistscouldridedownthemoderateSouthandreopentheslavetrade。InalltheirwonderingwhetherDouglaswouldevercomebacktothemorwouldprovetheblindSamsonpullingdowntheirtempleabouttheirears，therewasneverawordabouttheapproachingshadowwhichwassomuchmorerealthantheshadesofthefallingnight，andyetsoentirelyshutawayfromtheirobservation。
Inthissummer，Stephenswithdrewashethoughtfrompubliclife。
Withanintenselysensitivenature，hehadattimesflashesofstrangefeelingwhichanunsophisticatedsocietywouldregardaspropheticinspirations。WhenheleftWashington"onthebeautifulmorningofthe5thofMarch，1859，hestoodatthesternoftheboatforsomeminutesgazingbackatthecapital。"
HehadannouncedhisintentionofnotstandingagainasaRepresentative，andoneofhisfellow-passengersaskedjokinglywhetherhewasthinkingofhisreturnasaSenator。Stephen'sreplywasfullofemotion，"No，IneverexpecttoseeWashingtonagainunlessIambroughthereasaprisonerofwar。"Duringthesummerheendeavoredtocastoffhisintuitionofapproachingdisaster。Athisplantation，"LibertyHall，"heendeavoredtobecontentwiththeinnumerableobjectsassociatedwithhisyouth；
hetriedtofeelagainthegraceofthedaysthatweregone，themysteriouslovelinessoftheSouthernlandscapewithitsimmensefields，itsforests，itsgreatemptyspacesfilledwithglowingsunshine。Hetriedtopossesshistroubledsoulwiththesevereintellectualardorofthelaw。Buthisgiftofsecondsightwouldnotrest。Hecouldnotovercomehisintuitionthat，forallthepeaceanddreaminessoftheoutwardworld，destinywasuponhim。Lookingoutfromhisspiritualseclusion，hebeheldwhatseemedtohimcompletepoliticalconfusion，bothlocalandnational。Hisdespairingmoodfoundexpressionalittlelaterinthewords:"IndeedifwewerenowtohaveaSouthernconventiontodetermineuponthetruepolicyoftheSoutheitherintheUnionoroutofit，Ishouldexpecttoseejustasmuchprofitlessdiscussion，disagreement，crimination，andrecriminationamongstthemembersofitfromdifferentstatesandfromthesamestate，aswewitnessinthepresentHouseofRepresentativesbetweenDemocrats，Republicans，andAmericans。"
AmongthesourcesofconfusionStephenssaw，closeathome，wastheSouthernbattleoverthereopeningoftheslavetrade。TherealityofthatissuehadbeenmadeplaininMay，1859，whentheSoutherncommercialcongressatVicksburgentertainedatthesametimetworesolutions:one，thattheconventionshouldurgeallSouthernStatestoamendtheirconstitutionsbyaclauseprohibitingtheincreaseofAfricanslavery；theother，thattheconventionurgealltheLegislaturesofSouthernStatestopresentmemorialstoCongressaskingtherepealofthelawagainstAfricanslavetrade。Oftheseopposedresolutions，thelatterwasadoptedonthelastdayoftheconvention*，thoughthemoderatesfoughthardagainstit。
*ItissignificantthatthecompositionoftheseSoutherncommercialcongressesandtheCongressofthewholeSouthernpeoplewasstrikinglydifferentinpersonnel。VeryfewmembersofthecommercialcongressesreappearintheConfederateCongress。
ThesplitbetweenSouthernmoderatesandSouthernradicalswasfurtherindicatedbytheirdifferingattitudestowardtheadventurersfromtheUnitedStatesinCentralAmerica。TheVicksburgConventionadoptedresolutionswhichwerethinlyveiledendorsementsofsouthwardexpansion。IntheearlyautumnanotherNicaraguanexpeditionwasnippedinthebudbythevigilanceofAmericannavalforces。Cobb，primefactorinthegroupofSouthernmoderatesaswellasSecretaryoftheTreasury，wrotetoBuchananexpressinghissatisfactionattheevent，mentioningtheworkofhisowndepartmentinbringingitabout，andalsoalludingtohisarrangmentstopreventslavetradingofftheFloridacoast。
Butthespiritofdoubtwasstrongevenamongthemoderates。
Douglaswasthetarget。StephensgivesaglimpseofitinaletterwrittenduringhislastsessioninCongress。"CobbcalledonmeSaturdaynight，"hewrites。"HeisexceedinglybitteragainstDouglas。Ijokedhimagooddeal，andtoldhimhehadbetternotfight，orhewouldcertainlybewhipped；thatis，indrivingDouglasoutoftheDemocraticparty。HesaidthatifDouglaseverwasrestoredtotheconfidenceoftheDemocracyofGeorgia，itwouldbeoverhisdeadbodypolitically。Thisshowshisexcitement，thatisall。Ilaughedathim，andtoldhimhewouldrunhisfeelingsandhispolicyintotheground。"TheangerofCobb，whowashimselfaconfessedcandidatefortheDemocraticnomination，wasimperilingtheDemocraticnationalmachinewhichToombswasstillstrugglingsoresolutelytoholdtogether。Indeed，aslateastheautumnof1859themachinestillheldtogether。
Thencamethemanofdestiny，theboltfromtheblue，theendofthechapter。Amarvelousfanatic——asortofreincarnationofthegrimmestoftheCovenanters——byonedaringactshatteredthemachineandmadeimpossibleanyfurthercoalitionontheprincipleof"nothingdoing。"ThismanofdestinywasJohnBrown，whoseattackonHarper'sFerrytookplaceOctober16th，andwhoseexecutionbytheauthoritiesofVirginiaonthechargesofmurderandtreasonoccurredonthe2ndofDecember。
TheincidentfilledtheSouthwithconsternation。ThepromptcondemnationofitbymanyRepublicanleadersdidnotoffset，inthemindsofSoutherners，thefuryofpraiseaccordedbyothers。
TheSouthhadaghastlytraditionderivedchieflyfromwhatisknownasNatTurner'sRebellioninVirginia，atraditionofthemassacreofwhitewomenandchildrenbynegroes。AsBrownhadsetopttorouseaslaverebellion，everySouthernerfamiliarwithhisowntraditionsshuddered，identifyinginimaginationJohnBrownandNatTurner。HorrorbecameragewhentheSouthernersheardofenthusiasticapplauseinBostonandofEmerson'sdescriptionofBrownas"thatnewsaint"whowasto"makethegallowsgloriouslikethecross。"Intheexcitementproducedbyremarkssuchasthis，justicewasnotdonetoLincoln'scensure。InhisspeechatCooperInstituteinNewYork，inFebruary，1860，Lincolnhadsaid:"JohnBrown'seffort……initsphilosophycorrespondswiththemanyattemptsrelatedinhistoryattheassassinationofkingsandemperors。
Anenthusiastbroodsovertheoppressionofapeople，untilhefancieshimselfcommissionedbyHeaventoliberatethem。Heventurestheattemptwhichendsinlittleelsethaninhisownexecution。"Afewmonthsafterwards，theRepublicannationalconventioncondemnedtheactofBrownas"amongthegravestofcrimes。"
AnimmediateeffectoftheJohnBrownepisodewasapassionateoutburstfromalltheradicalpressoftheSouthindefenseofslavery。ThefollowersofYanceymadethemostoftheiropportunity。ThemenwhovotedatVicksburgtoreopentheslavetradecouldfindnowordstomeasuretheirhatredofeveryonewho，atthismomentofcrisis，wouldnotdeclareslaveryablessing。Manyofthemenwhoopposedtheslavetradersalsofeltthat，inthefaceofpossibleslaveinsurrection，theperiloftheirfamilieswastheoneparamountconsideration。
Nevertheless，itiseasyforthespecialpleadertogiveawrongimpressionofthesentimentofthetime。Agrimdesireforself-preservationtookpossessionoftheSouth，aswellasadeadlyfearofanypersonoranythingthattendeddirectlyorindirectlytoincitetheblackstoinsurrection。Northernersofabolitionistsympathieswerewarnedtoleavethecountry，andinsomecasestheyweretarredandfeathered。
Greatangerwasarousedbythedetectionofbook-agentswhoweredistributingafuriouspolemicagainstslavery，"TheImpendingCrisisoftheSouth:HowtoMeetIt"，byHintonRowanHelper，aSouthernerofinferiorsocialpositionbelongingtotheclassknownaspoorwhites。Thebookteemedwithsuchsentencesasthis，addressingslaveholders:"Doyouaspiretobecomevictimsofwhitenon-slave-holdingvengeancebydayandofbarbarousmassacresbythenegroesatnight?"
Itisscarcelystrange，therefore，thatin1859noSouthernerwouldhearagoodwordofanyonecaughtdistributingthebook。Andyet，inthemidstofallthisvehementexaltationofslavery，thefighttopreventareopeningoftheslavetradewentbravelyon。Stephens，writingtoafriendwhowascorrespondentforthe"SouthernConfederacy"，inAtlanta，warnedhiminApril，1860，"neithertoadvocatedisunionortheopeningoftheslavetrade。ThepeoplehereatpresentIbelieveareasmuchopposedtoitastheyareattheNorth；andIbelievetheNorthernpeoplecouldbeinducedtoopenitsoonerthantheSouthernpeople。"
Thewinterof1859-1860witnessedafamouscongressionalbattleoverthespeakership。ThenewCongresswhichmetinDecembercontained109Republicans，101Democrats，and27Know-Nothings。
TheRepublicancandidateforspeakerwasJohnShermanofOhio。
Asthefirstballotshowedthathecouldnotcommandamajority，aDemocratfromMissouriintroducedthisresolution"WhereascertainmembersofthisHouse，nowinnominationforspeaker，didendorsethebookhereinaftermentioned，resolved，Thatthedoctrinesandsentimentsofacertainbook，called'TheImpendingCrisisoftheSouth:HowtoMeetIt'，areinsurrectionaryandhostiletothepeaceandtranquillityofthecountry，andthatnomemberofthisHouse，whohasindorsedorrecommendedit，isfittobespeakeroftheHouse。"
DuringtwomonthstherewerestrangescenesintheHouse，whiletheclerkactedastemporaryspeakerandfuriousdiatribeswerethunderedbackandforthacrosstheaislethatseparatedRepublicansfromDemocrats，withapassageoffisticuffsorevenadrawnpistoltoaddvarietytothescene。Theendofitallwasadeal。Pennington，ofthe"People'sParty"ofNewJersey，whohadsupportedShermanbuthadnotendorsedHelper，wasgiventheRepublicansupport；aKnow-Nothingwasmadesergeant-at-arms；
andKnow-NothingvotesaddedtotheRepublicanvotesmadePenningtonspeaker。InmanyNortherncitiesthenewsofhiselectionwasgreetedwiththegreatsaluteofahundredguns，butatRichmondthepaperscameoutinmourningtype。
TwogreatfiguresnowadvancedtothecenteroftheCongressionalstage——JeffersonDavis，SenatorfromMississippi，aleaneagleofamanwithpiercingblueeyes，andJudahP。Benjamin，SenatorfromLouisiana，whoseperpetualsmilecloakedanintellectthatwasnimble，keen，andruthless。Bothmenweredestinedtoplayleadingrolesintheloftydramaofrevolution；eachwastoexperienceatragicendingofhispoliticalhope，oneinexile，theotherinasolitaryproscriptionamidtheruinsofthesocietyforwhichhehadsacrifiedhisall。Thesemen，thoughoftenspokenofasmeremouthpiecesofYancey，wereinrealityquitedifferentfromhimbothintemperandinpointofview。