The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-08

AbrQhaD Lincoln was Eot All dCSl-
dent, but a development. He did not
leap into leadership at bound. but
earned the position by laborious prep
aration and frequent demonstrations
of supreme ability. 1t is only thirty
years since the country was shocked
as never before by his assassination,
and yet to the vast majority of the
American people he Is already Legend
ary character. and the human elements
which endeared him to his generation
are forgotten. We have made history
SO RAPIDLY in the last quarter of CEN
tury that even the thrilling events OF
the civil war can no longe conjure votes
or move audiences. Memorial DAY,
which was once period OF passion ana
sorrow, is now popular picnic and
Children's holiday.
To understand the significance of the
meeting here thirty-eight years ago be-
tween Lincoln and Douglas. we must
recreate the conditions under which
they fought. revive the questions which
caused parties to rush from PARTISAN
ship to rebellion. and reincarnate the
combatants on this famous field. The
apparent contest was the statehood OF
Kansas but both the orators and the
people knew that the tremendous is
sues was between freedom and slavery.
the dissolution of the union or its per-
pctuity.
The founders of the Republic regarded
slavery as an institution destined to
ultimate extinction. Washington and
jefferson and their slave-holdlng as
sociatcS saw with grave apprehension
the perils of it's continuance and the
incompatibility If its growth with free
institutions. Under normal conditions.
it would have gradually disappeared
with the moral pressure of the liberty
lou and the industrial
periOrity Of free labor.
1t Is easy to be VirtuouS when II
costs little and much easier when 1t IS
advantageous. Greed and conscience
have been battling ever for the mastery.
That conscience wins in the end is a
tribute to the better elements of human
nature. and at"interest can blind and
sophistry mislead for generations
teaches humility and distrust of our
selves.
The politics of the United States and
the destiny of millions of human be-
ings were suddenly changed by q
piece of mechanism. Whitney invehted
the cotton gin, slave labor became en-
Ormously profitable, and slavery grew
to be the most aggressive power in the
country. 1t was popular at the time
of the formation of the Constitution to
pass the ordinance of 1857 by which
the territory comprising the states of
Illinois. Indiana, Michigan and Wis
consin, but thirty-three years after
wards, in 1870, Missouri had to be sur
rendered to slavery to save the Union.
All the intelligence, the capital the
business energy, and the political pow
er of one half the Union had concen-
Vrated and created the most audacious
and formidable political force ever
known In representative government.
1t had one purpose-the protection and
extension of slavery. 1t aimed to con-
troll the government and dominate par
ties. 1t was the power within both
of the great organizations into which
the people We're divided. 1t selected Its
leaders with wonderful ability and
served them with unswerving loyalty.
1t made or crushed careers as North
ern statesmen We're obedient to its
commands. 1t had no gratitude for
past favors, and as mercilessly dis
carded it's servile friends had become
unpopular at home because of their
servility. as it destroyed those who
temporized with its interests upon
either principle or policy. The con-
science of the non-slaveholding popu-
lation was slowly awakening, but NOV
ing tentatively and timidly under dread
of trade disturbances and threats Of
the dissolution of the Union.
COMPROMISE OF 1920
rha oornrop;so of ICON hv dac,a ring
oil nf the new territory north of mar.
aiiai "a 40 free and ali south slave and
Admitting Missouri which was north.
oS slave state, was hailed nv those
who loved both union and liberty as
the gain Of q large area for freedom.
1t was really the recognition by law
of slavery in the territories. the gain
Of a state and its senators by the slave
mower and leaving the Northern ter
ritory for a fresh attack when the time
came for its settlement. For slavery
founded upon the greatest of wrongs
can respect neither rights nor COM
pacts. Yet there existed q passionate
devotion to peace and union. and the
compromise of 1920 was gratefully ac-
cepted.
The Abolition sentiment. infiamed by
the arrogance and aggressive action OF
the slave power. was constantly win
ming converts and demanding congress
sional action in the territories and Dis
trict of Columbia. The crisis. as al.
ways, with the threat of secession be-
hind 1t, became acute, and was once
more tided over by the compromises of
1850. BY these measures slavery Sc
cured national recognition of the in
stitution at the capital and the enact
ment of the fugitive slave law, but
the union saved was regarded by the
vast majority as well worth this sacri
flee Of honor. morality, and liberty.
Upon this altar was burned the proud
est reputation and mightiest treasure
Of intellect and character the country
possessed. There are many paths n
the presidency, but the southern lead.
ers could confidently saw to eyery am
bilious statesman: No matter what
your views on other questions no man
has reached the white house In a Ger.
Grafton except by the southern road
The anti-slavery people turned to Dan.
iel Webster for leadership They ey.
pected from him a mighty effort His
historical reply to Hayne had estab-