But a battle was impending. Encouraged by the timid servility of the Northern Congressmen, the advocates of slavery brought forward, in the famous Nebraska and Kansas Bill, the iniquitous scheme of abrogating the Missouri Compromise of 1820, prohibiting slavery, that State alone excepted, from all the territory ceded by France to the United States, lying north of 36° 30′ north latitude. After various modifications, the bill came before the Senate on the 30th of January, 1854, when Stephen A. Douglas made a violent attack on Mr. Chase of Ohio, and Mr. Sumner, for having signed a docuament, entitled “Shall slavery be permitted in Nebraska?” and appealing to the people to withstand the aggressions of the propagandists of the servile institution, Mr. Sumner replied to Mr. Douglas, characterizing the measure before the Senate as “not only subversive of an ancient landmark, but hostile to the peace, the harmony, and the best interests of the country.” The debate went on, bringing front to front the stern contestants, and assuming daily greater vehemence. Mr. Everett and other New-England senators, John P. Hale excepted, had yielded to the administration,[174]
Lo! before us gleam her camp-fires: we ourselves must pilgrims be,
Launch our ‘Mayflower,’ and steer boldly through the desperate winter sea.
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B. B. Russell, 1874.
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