Breathless senators thrill with his inspired words. "We would not
take pains to reaffirm an ordinance of nature," he cries, and, as
his grave argument touches the listeners, he reverently adds, "nor
to re-enact the will of God."
Mighty Seward rises also to throw great New York's gauntlet in the
teeth of slavery.
Taunted with its legal constitutional sanction, he exclaims grandly,
"There is a higher law than the Constitution."
Long years have passed since both the colossus of the North and
the great Governor entered into the unbroken silence of the grave.
Their immortal words ring still down the columned years of our
country's history. They appeal to noble sons to emulate the heroes
of this great conflict. Shall the slave's chains clank westward?
No! Above the din of commoner men, the logic of John Bell, calm and
patriotic, brings conviction. The soaring eloquence of Stephen A.
Douglas claims the Western shores for freedom.
Haughty Foote and steadfast Benton break lances in the arena.
Kentucky's greatest chieftain, whose gallant son's life-blood
reddened Buena Vista's field, marshals the immortal defenders of
human liberty. Henry Clay's paternal hand is stretched forth in
blessing over the young Pacific commonwealth.
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