Before that war, and after it, she has
cultivated a friendship with the South. Why? Now let the
abolitionist bring on this outbreak which he covets, let the North
and South fly at each other's throats, let the contending powers of
Europe cross the seas to quarrel over the spoils of our own
destruction--and what then will be left of this republic? And yet,
if this compromise between North and South be broken as all Europe
desires, and as all the North threatens, precisely those matters
will come hurrying upon us. And they will find us divided,
incapable of resistance. That is the volcano, the magazine, over
which we dwell continually. It passes politics, and puts us as
patriots upon the question of the endurance of our republic.
"And I tell you now, gentlemen," he concluded, "as you know very
well yourselves, that this woman, here in Washington, would hold
the match ready to apply to that magazine. Which of you does not
see its glimmering? Which of you doubts her readiness? There was
not twenty-four hours to argue the matter of her--her temporary
absence.
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