Austria, England,
the Old World creeds of monarchies arrayed against popular
governments, had their way at our capital, where the birth of an
actual democracy impended. Active leadership by revolutionists
trained in Europe was suppressed, removed; as in one instance we
have seen. One abolitionist mass-meeting followed another in those
days, but the results of all were much the same. Protests and
declamation abounded, plan and leadership lacked. The strained
compromise held. Neither war nor a new party came as yet, disunion
was not yet openly attempted. Moreover, there was a deliberate
intent upon an era of good feeling. Whig and Democrat alike forced
themselves to settle down into the belief that peace had come. If
men were slaves, why, let them be slaves. At that time the
national reflex was less sensitive than it later became with
increased telegraphic and news facilities. Washington was not
always promptly and exactly advised of the political situation in
this or that more remote portion of the country.
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