Theresultwasthenicknameofthe``OldWhiteHossofSchoharie，’’andareputationforsimplicityandhonestywhichmadehimforashorttimegovernoroftheState。
Astorythentoldofhimrevealssomethingofhischaracter。BeinginformedthatBishopHughesofNewYorkwascomingtoAlbany，andthatitwouldbewelltotreathimwithespecialcourtesy，thegovernorpreparedhimselftobemorethangracious，and，onthearrivalofthebishop，greetedhimmostcordiallywiththewords，``Howdoyoudo，Bishop;Ihopeyouarewell。HowdidyouleaveMrs。Hughesandyourfamily？’’Tothisthebishopanswered，``Governor，Iamverywell，butthereisnoMrs。Hughes;bishopsinourchurchdon’tmarry。’’
``Goodgracious，’’answeredthegovernor，``youdon’tsayso;howlonghasthatbeen？’’Thebishopmusthavethoroughlyenjoyedthis。HisIrishwitmadehimquickbothatcomprehensionandrepartee。DuringadebateontheschoolquestionaleadingPresbyterianmerchantofNewYork，Mr。HiramKetchum，madeaveryearnestspeechagainstseparateschoolsforRomanCatholics，andpresently，turningtoBishopHughes，said，``Sir，werespectyou，sir，but，sir，wecan’tgoyourpurgatory，sir。’’
Tothisthebishopquietlyreplied，``Youmightgofurtherandfareworse。’’
Anotherleadingfigure，butontheWhigside，wasaStatesenator，commonlyknownas``Bray’’Dickinson，todistinguishhimfromD。S。DickinsonwhohadbeenasenatoroftheUnitedStates，andacandidateforthePresidency。``Bray’’DickinsonwasamostearnestsupporterofMr。Seward;staunch，prompt，vigorous，andreallydevotedtothepublicgood。Onestoryregardinghimshowshisrough—and—readiness。
DuringapoliticaldebateintheoldWhigdays，oneofhisDemocraticbrothersenatorsmadealongharangueinfavorofMartinVanBurenasacandidateforthePresidency，andinthecourseofhisspeechreferredtoMr。VanBurenas``theCurtiusoftheRepublic。’’UponthisDickinsonjumpedup，wenttosomememberbettereducatedintheclassicsthanhimself，andsaid，``WhointhunderisthisCurtisthatthismanistalkingabout？’’``Itisn’tCurtis，it’sCurtius，``wasthereply。``Well，now，``
saidDickinson，``whatdidCurtiusdo？’’``Oh，’’saidhisinformant，``hethrewhimselfintoanabysstosavetheRomanRepublic。’’UponthisDickinsonreturnedtohisseat，andassoonastheDemocraticspeakerhadfinished，aroseandsaid:``Mr。President，Idenythejusticeofthegentleman’sreferencetoCurtiusandMartinVanBuren。WhatdidCurtiusdo？Hethrewhimself，sir，intoanabysstosavehiscountry。What，sir，didMartinVanBurendo？Hethrewhiscountryintoanabysstosavehimself。’’
Rarely，ifever，hasanyscholarusedabitofclassicalknowledgetobetterpurpose。
Anotherleadingfigure，atalaterperiod，wasaDemocrat，FernandoWood，mayorofNewYork，abrilliantdesperado;andononeoccasionIsawthehenchmenwhomhehadbroughtwithhimtakepossessionofaStateconventionanddeliberatelyknockitspresident，oneofthemostrespectedmenintheState，offtheplatform。ItwasanunfortunateperformanceforMayorWood，sincethedisgustandreactiontherebyarousedledallfactionsoftheDemocraticpartytouniteagainsthim。
OtherleadingmenweresuchasCharlesO’ConorandJohnVanBuren;theformerlearnedandgenerous，butimpracticable;thelatterbrilliantbeyondbelief，butnotconsideredasrepresentinganypermanentideasorprinciples。
Duringthecampaignof1848，asayouthofsixteen，Itookthelibertyofbreakingfromthepaternalparty;
myfathervotingforGeneralTaylor，IhurrahingforMartinVanBuren。Irememberwellhowonedaymyfatherearnestlyremonstratedagainstthis。Hesaid，``Mydearboy，youcheerMartinVanBuren’snamebecauseyoubelievethatifheiselectedhewilldosomethingagainstslavery:inthefirstplace，hecannotbeelected;
andinthesecondplace，ifyouknewhimasweolderpeopledo，youwouldnotbelieveinhisattachmenttoanygoodcausewhatever。’’
TheresultofthecampaignwasthatGeneralTaylorwaselected，andIrecallthefeelingofaweandhopewithwhichIgazeduponhiswar—wornface，forthefirstandlasttime，ashestoppedtoreceivethecongratulationsofthecitizensofSyracuse;——hope，alas，soonbroughttonaught，forhe，too，soonsuccumbedtothepressureofofficialcare，andMillardFillmoreofNewYork，theVice—
President，reignedinhisstead。
IrememberMr。Fillmorewell。Hewasatall，large，fine—lookingman，withafaceintelligentandkindly，andhewasnotedbothasanexcellentpublicservantandaneffectivepublicspeaker。HehadbeencomptrolleroftheStateofNewYork，——thenthemostimportantofStateoffices，hadbeendefeatedasWhigcandidateforgovernor，andhadbeenarepresentativeinCongress。HewasthesecondoftheaccidentalPresidents，andsoonfeltithisdutytoarrayhimselfonthesideofthosewho，bycompromisewiththeSouthontheslaveryquestion，soughttomaintainandstrengthentheFederalUnion。Underhimcamethecompromisemeasuresonwhichourgreatstatesmenofthemiddleperiodofthenineteenthcentury，Clay，Webster，Calhoun，andBenton，madetheirlastspeeches。Mr。Fillmorewasundoubtedlyledmainlybypatrioticmotives，inpromotingtheseriesofmeasureswhichwereexpectedtoendalltroublebetweentheNorthandSouth，butwhich，unfortunately，embracedtheFugitiveSlaveLaw;yetthis，asIthenthought，renderedhimaccursed。Irememberfeelinganabhorrenceforhisveryname，andthisfeelingwasincreasedwhentheretookplace，inthecityofSyracuse，thefamous``JerryRescue。’’
CHAPTERIV
EARLYMANHOOD——1851—1857
OnthefirstdayofOctober，1851，therewasshufflingaboutthestreetsofSyracuse，inthequietpursuitofhissimpleavocations，acoloredperson，asnearly``ofnoaccount’’asanyeverseen。Sofaraswasknownhehadnosurname，and，indeed，noChristianname，savethefragmentandtravesty，——``Jerry。’’
Yetbeforethatdaywasdonehewasfamous;hisname，suchasitwas，resoundedthroughtheland;andhehadbecome，inallseriousness，aweightypersonageinAmericanhistory。
Underthelawrecentlypassed，hewasarrested，openlyandinbroaddaylight，asafugitiveslave，andwascarriedbeforetheUnitedStatescommissioner，Mr。JosephSabine，amostkindlypublicofficer，whointhismatterwassadlyembarrassedbytheantagonismbetweenhissworndutyandhispersonalconvictions。
Thereby，aswassupposed，werefulfilledtheLawandtheProphets——theLawbeingthefugitiveslavelawrecentlyenacted，andtheProphetsbeingnolessthanHenryClayandDanielWebster。
For，asiftopreparethelittlecitytosacrificeitscherishedbeliefs，Mr。ClayhadsometimebeforemadeaspeechfromthepiazzaoftheSyracuseHouse，urginguponhisfellow—citizensthecompromisesoftheConstitution;andsomemonthslaterMr。Websterappeared，spokefromabalconyneartheCityHall，andtothesamepurpose;butmoreso。Thelatterstatesmanwasprophetic，notonlyinthehortatory，butinthepredictivesense;forhedeclarednotonlythattheFugitiveSlaveLawmustbeenforced，butthatitWOULDbeenforced，andheadded，insubstance:``itwillbeenforcedthroughouttheNorthinspiteofallopposition——eveninthiscity——
eveninthemidstofyourabolitionconventions。’’Thispieceofprophecywasaccompaniedbyagesturewhichseemedtomeanmuch;forthegreatman’shandwaswavedtowardtheCityHalljustacrossthesquare——theclassicseatandcenterofabolitionconventions。
Howtrueisthewarning，``Don’tprophesyunlessyouknow！’’ThearrestofJerrytookplacewithinsixmonthsafterMr。Webster’sspeech，andindeedwhileanabolitionconventionwasinsessionatthatsameCityHall;
butwhenthenewscametheconventionimmediatelydissolved，thefire—bellsbegantoring，acrowdmoveduponthecommissioner’soffice，surgedintoit，andsweptJerryoutofthehandsoftheofficers。Theauthoritieshavingrallied，re—arrestedthefugitive，andputhiminconfinementandinirons。Butintheeveningtheassailantsreturnedtotheassault，carriedthejailbystorm，rescuedJerryforgood，andspiritedhimoffsafeandsoundtoCanada，thusbringingtonoughtthefugitiveslavelaw，aswellastheexhortationsofMr。ClayandthepredictionsofMr。Webster。
Thisrescueproducedgreatexcitementthroughoutthenation。Variouspersonswerearrestedfortakingpartinit，andtheirtrialswereadjournedfromplacetoplace，tothegreathardshipofallconcerned。DuringacollegevacationIwaspresentatoneofthesetrialsatCanandaigua，theUnitedStatesJudge，beforewhomitwasheld，beingtheHon。N。K。Hall，whohadbeenMr。Fillmore’slawpartnerinBuffalo。Theeveningbeforethetrialananti—slaverymeetingwasheld，whichIattended。ItwasopenedwithprayerbyabishopoftheAfricanMethodistEpiscopalChurch，Loguen，andofallprayersIhaveeverheard，thisdwellsinmymindasperhapsthemostimpressive。Thecoloredminister’spetitionsforhisrace，bondandfree，forJerryandforthosewhohadsoughttorescuehim，forthesoulsofthekidnappers，andforthecountrywhichwastohispeoplealandofbondage，weremostpathetic。ThenaroseGerritSmith。OfallTribunesofthePeopleIhaveeverknownhedwellsinmymemoryaspossessingthegreatestvarietyofgifts。
Hehadtheprestigegivenbygreatwealth，bylavishgenerosity，bytransparenthonesty，byearnestnessofpurpose，byadvocacyofeverygoodcause，byasuperbpresence，andbynaturaleloquenceofaveryhighorder。Hewasverytallandlarge，withanoblehead，anearnest，yetkindlyface，andofallhumanvoicesIhaveeverheardhiswasthemostremarkableforitsrichness，depth，andstrength。IrememberseeingandhearinghimonceataRepublicanStateConventionintheCityHallatSyracuse，when，havingcomeinforafewmomentsasaspectator，hewasrecognizedbythecrowdandgreetedwithoverwhelmingcallsforaspeech。Hewasstandingattheentrancedoor，toweringaboveallabouthim，andtherewasageneralcryforhimtocomeforwardtotheplatform。Hedeclinedtocomeforward;butfinallyobservedtothosenearhim，inhisquiet，naturalway，withtheutmostsimplicity，``Oh，Ishallbeheard。’’Atthisashoutwentupfromtheentireaudience;foreveryhumanbeinginthatgreathallhadheardthesewordsperfectly，thoughutteredinhisusualconversationalvoice。
IalsorememberonceenteringtheoldDelavanHouseatAlbany，withacollegefriendofmine，afterwardBishopofMaine，andseeing，attheotherendofalonghall，GerritSmithinquietconversation。Inamomentweheardhisvoice，andmyfriendwasgreatlyimpressedbyit，declaringhehadneverimaginedsuchanutterancepossible。Itwasindeedamazing;itwaslikethedeep，clear，richtonefromthepedalbassofacathedralorgan。DuringhiscareerinCongress，itwasnotedthathewastheonlyspeakerwithinremembrancewhowithouteffortmadehimselfheardineverypartoftheoldchamberoftheHouseofRepresentatives，whichwasacousticallyoneoftheworsthallseverdevised。Anditwasnotacaseofvoiceandnothingelse;
hisstrengthofargument，hisgiftoffitexpression，andhiswealthofillustrationwerenolessextraordinary。
OnthisoccasionatCanandaiguaherosetospeak，andeverywordwenttotheheartsofhisaudience。``Why，’’
hebegan，``dotheyconducttheseharassingproceedingsagainstthesemen？Ifanyoneisguilty，Iamguilty。
WithSamuelJ。MayIproposedtheJerryRescue。Weareresponsibleforit;whydotheynotprosecuteus？’’
Andthesewordswerefollowedbyatrainofcogentreasoningandstirringappeal。
TheJerryRescuetrialsonlymademattersworse。
TheirinjusticedisgustedtheNorth，andtheirfutilityangeredtheSouth。TheyrevealedonefactwhichespeciallyvexedtheSouthernwingoftheDemocraticparty，andthiswas，thattheirNorthernalliescouldnotbedependedupontoexecutethenewcompromise。InthisSyracuserescueoneofthemostdeterminedleaderswasaroughburlybutcher，whohadbeenallhislifeoneoftheloudestofpro—slaveryDemocrats，andwho，untilhesawJerrydraggedinmanaclesthroughthestreets，hadbeenmostviolentinhissupportofthefugitiveslavelaw。Thetrialsalsostimulatedtheanti—slaveryleadersandoratorstonewvigor。Garrison，Phillips，GerritSmith，Sumner，andSewardarousedtheanti—slaveryforcesasneverbefore，andthe``BiglowPapers’’ofJamesRussellLowell，whichmadeNorthernpro—slaverymenridiculous，werereadwithmorezestthanever。
Buttheabolitionforceshadthedefectsoftheirqualities，andtheirmaindifficultyreallyarosefromthestimulusgiventoathinfanaticism。Therefollowed，inthetrainofthenoblerthinkersandorators，the``FoolReformers，’’——sundrylong—hairedmenandshort—hairedwomen，whothoughtittheirdutytostirgoodChristianpeoplewithblasphemy，todelugethefoundersoftheRepublicwithblackguardism，andtoinventevermoreandmoreingeniouswaysfordrivingeverysober—mindedmanandwomanoutoftheanti—slaveryfold。MorethanonceinthosedaysIhungmyheadindisgustasIlistenedtothesepeople，andwondered，forthemoment，whether，afterall，eventhesupremacyofslaveholdersmightnotbemoretolerablethanthenewheavensandthenewearth，inwhichshoulddwellsuchbedraggled，screaming，denunciatorycreatures。
AtthenextnationalelectiontheWhigsnominatedGeneralScott，amanofextraordinarymeritandofgrandioseappearance;butofboththesequalitieshewashimselfunfortunatelytoowellaware;asaresulttheDemocratsgavehimthenameof``OldFussandFeathers，’’andafewunfortunatespeeches，inoneofwhichheexpressedhisjoyathearingthat``sweetIrishbrogue，’’broughtthelaughofthecampaignuponhim。
OntheotherhandtheDemocratsnominatedFranklinPierce;amangreatlyinferiortoGeneralScottinmilitarymatters，butwhohadservedwellintheStatepoliticsofNewHampshireandinCongress，waswidelybeloved，ofespeciallyattractivemanners，andofhighpersonalcharacter。
HealsohadbeenintheMexicanWar，butthoughhehadrisentobebrigadier—general，hismilitaryrecordamountedtoverylittle。Therewasinhim，nodoubt，somealloyofpersonalwithpublicmotives，butitwouldbeunjusttosaythatselfishnesswastheonlysourceofhispoliticalideas。HewasgreatlyimpressedbythenecessityofyieldingtotheSouthinordertosavetheUnion，andhadshownthisbyhisutterancesandvotesinCongress:theSouth，therefore，acceptedhimagainstGeneralScott，whowassupposedtohavemoderateanti—
slaveryviews。
GeneralPiercewaselected;thepolicyofhisadministrationbecamemoreandmoredeeplypro—slavery;andnowappeareduponthesceneStephenArnoldDouglas——
senatorfromIllinois，amanofremarkableability，——abrilliantthinkerandmosteffectivespeaker，withanextraordinarypowerofswayingmen。Iheardhimatvari—
oustimes;andevenafterhehadcommittedwhatseemedtometheunpardonablesin，itwashardtoresisthiseloquence。Heitwaswho，doubtlessfromamixtureofmotives，personalandpublic，hadproposedtheabolitionoftheMissouriCompromise，whichsincetheyear1820hadbeenthebulwarkofthenewterritoriesagainsttheencroachmentsofslavery。Thewholeanti—slaverysentimentoftheNorthwastherebyintensified，andastheestablishmentofnorthpolarityatoneendofthemagnetexcitessouthpolarityattheother，soSouthernfeelinginfavorofslaverywastherebyincreased。UptoarecentperiodSouthernleadershad，asarule，deprecatedslavery，andhopedforitsabolition;nowtheyasgenerallyadvocateditasgoodinitself;——themainfoundationofcivilliberty;thenormalconditionoftheworkingclassesofeverynation;andsomeofthemurgedtherevivaloftheAfricanslave—trade。Thestrugglebecamemoreandmorebitter。IwasduringthattimeatYale，andthegeneralsentimentofthatuniversityinthosedaysfavoredalmostanyconcessiontosavetheUnion。ThevenerableSilliman，andagreatmajorityoftheolderprofessorsspokeatpublicmeetingsinfavorofthepro—slaverycompromisemeasureswhichtheyfondlyhopedwouldsettlethedifficultybetweenNorthandSouthandrestablishtheUniononfirmfoundations。Thenewcompromisewasindeedabitterdoseforthem，sinceitcontainedthefugitiveslavelawinitsmostdrasticform;andeveryoneofthem，withtheexceptionofafewtheologicaldoctrinaireswhofoundslaveryintheBible，abhorredthewholeslavesystem。TheYalefaculty，asarule，tookgroundagainstanti—slaveryeffort，and，amongotherwaysofpropagatingwhattheyconsideredrightopinions，therewasfreelydistributedamongthestudentsasermonbytheRev。Dr。BoardmanofPhiladelphia，whichwenttoextremesinadvocatingcompromisewithslaveryandtheslavepower。
Thegreatbodyofthestudents，also，fromNorthandSouth，tookthesameside。ItisasuggestivefactthatwhereasEuropeanstudentsaregenerallyinclinedtoradicalism，Americanstudentshavebeen，sincethewaroftheRevolution，eminentlyconservative。
Tothispro—slaverytendencyatYale，inhopeofsavingtheUnion，thereweretworemarkableexceptions，onebeingthebelovedandrespectedpresidentoftheuniversity，Dr。TheodoreDwightWoolsey，andtheotherhisclassmateandfriend，theRev。Dr。LeonardBacon，pastorofthegreatCenterChurchofNewHaven，andfrequentlyspokenofasthe``CongregationalPopeofNewEngland。’’Theywereindeedaremarkablepair;Woolsey，quietandscholarly，attimesirascible，butalwayskindandjust;Baconarugged，leoninesortofmanwho，whenheshookhismaneinthepulpitandaddressedtheNewEnglandconscience，washeardthroughoutthenation。
Thesetwo，especially，bravedpublicsentiment，aswellastheopinionoftheircolleagues，andweresupposed，atthetime，toendangertheinterestsofYalebystandingagainstthefugitiveslavelawandotherconcessionstoslaveryanditsextension。AsaresultYalefellintodisreputeintheSouth，whichhad，uptothattime，sentlargebodiesofstudentstoit，andIrememberthataclassmateofmine，atall，harum—scarum，big—hearted，sandy—hairedGeorgianknownas``Jim’’Hamilton，leftYaleindisgust，returnedtohisnativeheath，andwastherewelcomedwithgreatjubilation。Apoemwassentme，writtenbysomeardentadmirerofhis，beginningwiththewords:
``Godblessthee，nobleHamilton，’’&c。
OntheotherhandIwasoneofthesmallminorityofstudentswhoremaineduncompromisinglyanti—slavery，andwheneverIreturnedfromSyracuse，myclassmatesandfriendsusedtogreetmeinajollywaybyaskingme``Howareyou，Gerrit;howdidyouleavetheRev。
AntoinetteBrownandbrotherFredDouglas？’’InconsequenceIcameverynearbeing，inasmallway，amartyrtomyprinciples。Havinghadsomesuccessinwinningessayprizesduringmysophomoreandjunioryears，mynamewasnaturallymentionedinconnectionwiththeelectionofeditorsforthe``YaleLiteraryMagazine。’’AtthisaveryconsiderablebodyofSouthernstudentsandtheirNorthernadherentsdeclaredagainstme。Ineithersaidnordidanythinginthepremises，buttwoofmymostconservativefriendswroughtvaliantlyinmybehalf。
Onewasmydearoldchum，Davies，thepresentBishopofMichigan，attheveryantipodesfrommyselfoneverypossiblequestion;andtheothermylife—longfriend，RandallLeeGibsonofKentucky，himselfalargeslaveholder，afterwardageneralintheConfederateservice，andfinally，athislamenteddeathafewyearssince，UnitedStatessenatorfromLouisiana。Boththesefriendschampionedmycause，withtheresultthattheysavedmebyasmallmajority。
Aseditorofthe``YaleLiteraryMagazine，’’throughmysenioryear，Icouldpublishnothinginbehalfofmycherishedanti—slaveryideas，sinceadecidedmajorityofmyfellow—editorswouldhavecertainlyrefusedadmissiontoanyobnoxiousarticle，andIthereforeconfinedmyself，inmyeditorialcapacity，toliteraryandabstractmatters;butwithmycollegeexercisesitwasdifferent。
ProfessorLarned，whowaschargedwiththecriticismofouressaysandspeeches，thoughaveryquietman，wasatheartdeeplyanti—slavery，andthereforeitwasthatinsundryclass—roomessays，aswellasinspeechesatthejuniorexhibitionandatcommencement，Iwasabletopourforthmyideasagainstwhatwasstigmatizedasthe``sumofhumanvillainies。’’
Iwasnotfreefromtemptationtoanoppositecourse。
MyexperienceatthecollegeelectionhadmorethanoncesuggestedtomymindtheideathatpossiblyImightbewrong，afterall;thatperhapsthevoiceofthepeoplewasreallythevoiceofGod;thatifonewishestoaccomplishanythinghemustworkinharmonywiththepopularwill;
andthatperhapsthebestwaywouldbetoconformtothegeneralopinion。Todososeemed，certainly，theonlyroadtoprefermentofanykind。Suchwerethetemptationswhich，inthosedays，beseteveryyoungmanwhodreamedofaccomplishingsomethinginlife，andtheybesetmeinmyturn;buttherecameadaywhenIdealtwiththemdecisively。IhadcomeupacrossNewHavenGreenthinkingthemover，andperhapspalteringrathercontemptiblywithmyconscience;butarrivingatthedoorofNorthCollege，Istoppedamoment，ranthroughthewholesubjectinaninstant，andthenandthere，onthestairwayleadingtomyroom，silentlyvowedthat，comewhatmight，Iwouldneverbeanapologistforslaveryorforitsextension，andthatwhatlittleIcoulddoagainstbothshouldbedone。
ImayaddthatmyconsciencewassomewhataidedbyapieceofcasuistryfromthemostbrilliantscholarintheYalefacultyofthattime，ProfessorJamesHadley。
IhadbeenbroughtupwithastrongconvictionofthenecessityofobediencetolawasthefirstrequirementinanyState，andespeciallyinaRepublic;butherewasthefugitiveslavelaw。Whatwasourdutyregardingit？
Thisquestionhavingcomeupinoneofourdivision—
roomdebates，ProfessorHadley，presiding，gaveadecisiontothefollowingeffect:``Onthestatutebooksofallcountriesaremanylaws，obsoleteandobsolescent;todisobeyanobsoletelawisfrequentlyanecessityandneveracrime。Astodisobediencetoanobsolescentlaw，thequestionineveryman’smindmustbeastothedegreeofitsobsolescence。Lawsaremadeobsolescentbychangeofcircumstances，bythegrowthofconvictionswhichrendertheirexecutionimpossible，andthelike。Everyman，therefore，mustsolemnlydecideforhimselfatwhatperiodalawisvirtuallyobsolete。’’
Imustconfessthatthedoctrineseemstomenowratherdangerous，butatthattimeIwelcomeditasaveryserviceablepieceofcasuistry，andfeltthattherewasindeed，asMr。Sewardhaddeclared，a``higherlaw’’thantheiniquitousenactmentwhichallowedthetakingofapeacefulcitizenbackintoslavery，withoutanyofthesafeguardswhichhadbeendevelopedunderAnglo—Saxonliberty。
Thoughmypoliticalfeelingsthroughoutthesenioryeargrewmoreandmoreintense，therewasnochancefortheirexpressioneitherincompetitionfortheClarkeEssayPrizeorfortheDeForestOrationGoldMedal，thesubjectsofbothbeingassignedbythefaculty;andthoughIafterwardhadthesatisfactionoftakingboththese，myexultationwasgreatlyalloyedbythethoughtthattheideasImostcherishedcouldfindlittle，ifany，expressioninthem。
ButonCommencementDaymychancecame。ThenI
chosemyowntheme，andonthesubjectof``ModernOracles’’pouredforthmyviewstoachurchfullofpeople;
manyevidentlydisgusted，butafewasevidentlypleased。IdweltespeciallyuponsundryutterancesofJohnQuincyAdams，whohaddiednotlongbefore，andwhohadbeen，duringallhislateryears，amostearnestopponentofslavery，andIarguedthatthese，withthedeclarationsofotherstatesmenofliketendencies，weretheoraclestowhichthenationshouldlisten。
Curiouslyenoughthiscommencementspeechsecuredformethefriendshipofamanwhowasopposedtomyideas，butseemedtolikemypresentingthemthenandthere——thegovernoroftheState，ColonelThomasSeymour。HehadservedwithdistinctionintheMexicanWar，hadbeenelectedandrelected，againandagain，governorofConnecticut，wasdevotedlypro—slavery，intheinterest，ashethought，ofpreservingtheUnion;butherememberedmyspeech，andafterward，whenhewasmadeministertoRussia，invitedmetogowithhim，attachedmetohisLegation，andbecameoneofthedearestfriendsIhaveeverhad。
Ofthediplomaticphaseofmylifeintowhichheinitiatedme，Ishallspeakinanotherchapter;but，asregardsmypoliticallife，heinfluencedmedecidedly，forhisconversationandthereadinghesuggestedledmetostudycloselythewritingsofJefferson。TheimpulsethusgivenmymindwasnotspentuntiltheCivilWar，which，betrayingtheultimateresultsofsundryJeffersonianideas，ledmetorevisemyopinionssomewhatandtomoderatemyadmirationforthefounderofAmerican``Democracy，’’thoughIhaveeversinceretainedastronginterestinhisteaching。
Butdeeplyasboththegovernorandmyselffeltontheslaveryquestion，webothavoideditinourconversation。
Eachknewhowearnestlytheotherfeltregardingit，andeach，asifbyinstinct，keptclearofadiscussionwhichcouldnotchangeouropinions，andmightwreckourfriendship。Theresultwas，that，sofarasIremember，weneverevenalludedtoitduringthewholeyearweweretogether。Everyothersubjectwediscussedfreelybutthiswenevertouched。ThenearestapproachtoadiscussionwaswhenonedayintheLegationChanceryatSt。Petersburg，Mr。Erving，alsoadevotedUnionpro—
slaveryDemocrat，pointingtoamapoftheUnitedStateshangingonthewall，wentintoarhapsodyovertheextensionofthepowerandwealthofourcountry。Ianswered，``IfourcountrycouldgetridofslaveryinallthatbeautifulregionoftheSouth，suchariddancewouldbecheapatthecostoffiftythousandlivesandahundredmillionsofdollars。’’AtthisErvingburstforthintoatorrentofbrotherlyanger。``Therewasnoconceivablecause，’’hesaid，``worththesacrificeoffiftythousandlives，andthelossofahundredmillionsofdollarswouldmeantheblottingoutofthewholeprosperityofthenation。’’Hisdeepearnestnessshowedmetheimpossibilityofconvertingamanofhisopinions，andthedangerofwreckingourfriendshipbyattemptingit。LittledideitherofusdreamthatwithintenyearsfromthatdayslaverywastobeabolishedintheUnitedStates，atthesacrificenotoffiftythousand，butofnearlyamillionlives，andatthecostnotmerelyofahundredmillions，but，whenallistold，ofatleasttenthousandmillionsofdollars！
Imaymentionherethatitwasinthiscompanionship，atSt。Petersburg，thatIbegantolearnwhynewspapercriticismhas，inourcountry，solittlepermanenteffectonthereputationofeminentmen。DuringfouryearsbeforecomingabroadIhadread，inleadingRepublicanjournalsofNewYorkandNewHaven，denunciationsofGovernorThomasHartSeymourasanignoramus，apretender，ablatantdemagogue，asotandcompanionofsots，anassociate，andfitassociate，forthemostworthlessofthepopulace。Ihadnowfoundhimamanofrealconvictions，thoroughlyagentleman，quiet，conscientious，kindly，studious，thoughtful，modest，abstemious，hardlyevertouchingaglassofwine，amanesteemedandbelovedbyallwhoreallyknewhim。Thuswasfirstrevealedtomewhat，inmyopinion，istheworstevilinAmericanpubliclife，——thatfacilityforunlimitedslander，ofwhichthefirstresultistodegradeourpublicmen，andthesecondresultistorobthepressofthatconfidenceamongthinkingpeople，andthatpowerforgoodandagainstevilwhichitreallyoughttoexercise。SincethattimeIhaveseenmanyotherexamplesstrengtheningthesameconviction。
LeavingSt。Petersburg，Ifollowedhistoricaland，tosomeextent，politicalstudiesattheUniversityofBerlin，havingpreviouslygivenattentiontotheminFrance;andfinally，travelinginItaly，becameacquaintedwithamanwhomadeastrongimpressionuponme。ThiswasMr。RobertDaleOwen，thentheAmericanministeratNaples，whosepicturesofNeapolitandespotism，asitthenexisted，mademeevenastrongerRepublicanthanI
hadbeenbefore。
ReturningtoAmericaIfoundmyselfontheeveofthenewpresidentialelection。TheRepublicanshadnominatedJohnC。Frmont，ofwhomallIknewwasgatheredfromhisbooksoftravel。TheDemocratshadnominatedJamesBuchanan，whomI，asanattachofthelegationatSt。Petersburg，hadmetwhilehewasministeroftheUnitedStatesatLondon。Hewasamostkindlyandimpressiveoldgentleman，hadwelcomedmecordiallyathislegation，andatalargedinnergivenbyMr。GeorgePeabody，atthattimetheAmericanAmphitryonintheBritishmetropolis，discussedcurrentquestionsinawaythatfascinatedme。OfthatImayspeakinanotherchapter;
sufficeitherethathewasoneofthemostattractivemeninconversationIhaveevermet，andthatissayingmuch。
Itookbutslightpartinthecampaign;infact，anaturaldiffidencekeptmealooffromactivepolitics。Havinggivenupallhopeordesireforpoliticalpreferment，andchosenauniversitycareer，Imerelypublishedafewnewspaperandmagazinearticles，inthegeneralinterestofanti—
slaveryideas，butmadenospeeches，feelingmyself，infact，unfittomakethem。
ButIsharedmoreandmorethefeelingsofthosewhosupportedFrmont。
Mr。Buchanan，thoughpersonalacquaintancehadtaughtmetolikehimasaman，andthereadingofhisdespatchesinthearchivesofourlegationatSt。Petersburghadforcedmetorespecthimasastatesman，representedtometheencroachmentsanddominationofAmericanslavery，whileFrmontrepresentedresistancetosuchencroachments，andtheperpetuityoffreedomupontheAmericanContinent。
Onelectionday，1856，IwenttothepollsattheCityHallofSyracusetocastmyfirstvote。ThereIchancedtomeetanoldschoolmatewhohadbecomeabrilliantyounglawyer，VictorGardner，withwhom，intheolddays，Ihadoftendiscussedpoliticalquestions，hebeingaDemocratandIaRepublican。Buthehadnowcomeuponnewground，and，wishingmetodothesame，hetenderedmewhatwasknownas``TheAmericanTicket，’’
bearingatitsheadthenameofMillardFillmore。Heclaimedthatitrepresentedresistancetotheencroachmentsanddangerswhichhesawintheenormousforeignimmigrationoftheperiod，andaboveallintheincreasingdespotismoftheRomanCatholichierarchycontrollingtheIrishvote。Mosteloquentlydidmyoldfrienddiscourseonthedangersfromthissource。HeinsistedthatRomanCatholicbishopsandpriestshadwreckedeverycountryinwhichtheyhadevergainedcontrol;thattheyhadaidedinturningthemediaevalrepublicsintodespotisms;thattheyhadruinedSpainandtheSouthAmericanrepublics;thattheyhadrenderedPolandandIrelandunabletoresistoppression;thattheyhadhopelesslyenfeebledAustriaandItaly;thatbySt。
BartholomewmassacresandclearingoutofHuguenotstheyhadmade，first，terrorism，and，finally，despotismnecessaryinFrance;thattheyhadrenderedeverypeopletheyhadcontrolledcarelessoftruthandinclinedtodespotism，——eitherofmonarchsor``bosses’’;——thatourprisonswerefilledwiththeyouthwhomtheyhadtrainedinreligionandmorals;thattheywerereadytoravagetheworldwithfireandswordtogaintheslightestpointforthePapacy;thattheyweretheswornfoesofourpublic—
schoolsystem，withoutwhichnosuchthingasrepublicangovernmentcouldexistamongus;that，infact，theirbishopsandpriestsweretheenemiesofeverythingweAmericansshouldholddear，andthattheirchurchwasnotsomuchareligiousorganizationasapoliticalconspiracyagainstthebestthatmankindhadachieved。
``LookattheItalians，Spanish，Frenchto—day，``hesaid。``TheChurchhashadthemunderitscompletecontrolfifteenhundredyears，andyouseetheresult。LookattheIrishallaboutus;——alwaysscreamingforliberty，yetthemostabjectslavesoftheirpassionsandoftheirpriesthood。’’
Hespokewiththedeepestearnestnessandeveneloquence;othersgatheredround，andsometookhistickets。
Irefusedthem，saying，``No。ThequestionofallquestionstomeiswhetherslaveryorfreedomistorulethisRepublic，’’and，havingtakenaRepublicanticket，Iwentup—stairstothepolls。Onmyarrivalattheballot—boxcameamostexasperatingthing。AdrunkenIrishDemocratstandingtherechallengedmyvote。Hehad，perhaps，notbeeninthecountrysixmonths;Ihadlivedinthatverywardsincemychildhood，knewandwasknownbyeveryotherpersonpresent;andsuchwasmydisgustthatitisnotatallunlikelythatifoneofGardner’sticketshadbeeninmypocket，itwouldhavegoneintotheballot—box。Butpersonsstandingby，——DemocratsaswellasRepublicans，——havingquietedthisperfervidpatriot，andsavedmefromtheignominyofswearinginmyvote，Icarriedoutmyoriginalintention，andcastmyfirstvotefortheRepublicancandidate。
CertainlyProvidencewaskindtotheUnitedStatesinthatcontest。ForFrmontwasnotelected。LookingbackoverthehistoryoftheUnitedStatesIsee，thusfar，noinstantwheneverythingweholddearwassomuchinperilasonthatelectionday。
WeoftheRepublicanpartywerefearfullymistaken，andamongmanyevidencesinhistorythatthereis``aPowerintheuniverse，notourselves，whichmakesforrighteousness，’’Ithinkthatthenon—electionofFrmontisoneofthemostconvincing。HiselectionwouldhaveprecipitatedthecontestbroughtonfouryearslaterbytheelectionofLincoln。ButtheNorthernStateshadin1856nosuchpreponderanceastheyhadfouryearslater。
Noseriesofeventshadthenoccurredtoarouseandconsolidateanti—slaveryfeelinglikethosebetween1856and1860。Moreover，ofallcandidatesforthePresidencyeverformallynominatedbyeitherofthegreatpartiesuptothattime，Frmontwasprobablythemostunfit。HehadgainedcreditforhisexpeditionacrosstheplainstoCalifornia，anddeservedly;hispopularnameof``Pathfinder’’
mighthavebeenofsomelittleuseinapoliticalcampaign，andsomeromanticinterestattachedtohimonaccountofhismarriagewithJessieBenton，daughteroftheburly，doughty，honest—purposed，headstrongsenatorfromMissouri。
Buthisearliercareer，whencloselyexamined，and，evenmorethanthat，hislatercareer，duringtheCivilWar，showeddoubtfulfitnessforanydutiesdemandingclearpurpose，consecutivethought，adhesiontoabroadpolicy，wisdomincounsel，orsteadinessinaction。Hadhebeenelectedin1856oneoftwothingswouldundoubtedlyhavefollowed:eithertheUnionwouldhavebeenpermanentlydissolved，oritwouldhavebeenreestablishedbyanchoringslaveryforeverintheConstitution。Neverwasthereagreaterescape。