"And now," he resumed, "what you say of your journey interests me
immensely. No doubt you propose going down the river as far as
Missouri? The interest of the entire country is focused there
to-day. Ah, yonder is the crux of all our compromise! Safe within
the fold herself, that is to say above the fatal line of thirty-six
degrees, thirty minutes, her case is simply irresistible in
interest to-day, both for those who argue for and those who talk
against the extension of slavery into our other territories."
"Yet your administration, to-day, my dear Sir, calls this
'finality.' Believe me, it is no more than a compromise with truth
and justice! The entire North demands that slavery shall halt."
"The entire South refuses it!"
"Then let the South beware!"
"The North also may beware, my dear Sir!"
"We are aware, and we are prepared. Not another inch for slavery!"
"Hush!" said the other, raising a hand. "Not even you and I dare
go into this. The old quarrel is lulled for a time.
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