WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1854
497
What new intelligence has sprung upon us? What new light has dawned which requires the annihilation of a solemn compact made between the two sections of this Republic, and from which harmony has resulted? Mr. King, than whom no purer has lived-unsullied in his life, pure in his death, having evidenced that most fervid patriotism throughout his political career, and descended to the grave ·with honor and glory,-said in his letter accepting the nomination of the Baltimore convention as a candidate for the Vice Presidency: "The platform, as made by the convention, meets my cordial approbation. It is national in all its parts, and I am content not only to stand upon it, but upon all occasions to defend it." Is not that conclusive, not only that the Chief Magistrate would defend the compromise of 1850, but that, if in the event of any unfortunate contingency, the second officer of the Government should come to the Presidency, we had from him a solemn guar- antee that he would preserve that compromise inviolate, and would put down agitation whenever it might attempt to rear its angry crest ? I know, Mr. President, at one time it was apprehended that the class of politicians in our country, denominated as Abolitionists, would attempt to agitate, and, if possible, to procure a repeal of the fugitive slave law. That was threatened in the newspapers. The New York Tribune, among others, denounced that law, and proclaimed to the world that it would wage unceasing war upon it until its repeal was accomplished. But, sir, that discordant note had died away before this Congress had assembled. The requiem of Abolition seemed to have been sung. If there were ultras in the South, their dissatisfactions were silenced; they had acquiesced in this great healing measure; and the wounds which had afflicted the body-politic were cicatrized and well. I rejoiced in it; every patriot in the land rejoiced in it. All felt joyous in the accomplishment of a consummation so devoutly to be wished. A further assurance was given to us that peace would be pre- served, in the inaugural of the President of the United States. He then told us, referring to the agitation of the slavery question: "I fervently hope that the question is at rest, and that no sec- tional, or ambitious, or fanatical excitement may again threaten the durability of our institutions, or obscure the light of our prosperity." I will not be charged with opposing the measure as one meeting the approbation of the Administration, although I have seen in
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