and the Senate persisting in returning the bill for reconsideration. The Southern States, finding the North resolutely opposed their nefarious designs, and that their object could not be obtained by intimidation or threats of disunion, threw a sop to the Free States in what is known as the "Missouri Compromise." In consideration of the territory comprised within the State of Missouri being admitted into the Union as a Slave State, it was declared that henceforward and for evermore human bondage, except for crimes committed, should not pass the line 36° 30′ of north latitude.

No act of the American Congress has been of so solemn a character as this memorable Compromise. It was the reconciliation of a people-the oath of an entire nation. For three long years the struggle had continued, until civil war loomed in the near future. Statesmen despaired of their country, whilst the South persisted, and the North sullenly refused its consent. But this olive-branch of peace calmed the contending parties, and the Free States agreed to the admission of Missouri, relying implicitly upon the oath of the South, that Slavery should not, henceforth, be permitted north or west of the new State. "Man proposes, but God disposes.' Infinite truth has vetoed all such unhallowed compromises, and

placed an irreconcilable antagonism between Slavery and Freedom. In His almighty wisdom the sin carries with it its own punishment, and the penalty is the resulting necessity of the crime. The North had consented to the enslavement of Missouri, in order that Kansas and the other territories might be free. Kansas is invaded by Missourians; her towns besieged, her people murdered, and her liberties enslaved.

The Southern States, having introduced the thin end of the wedge, slowly prepared for the struggle which they well knew must inevitably ensue. Having gained the victory on the first trial of strength, they turned their attention to the organization of parties, in readiness for the moment when their policy should be that of Danton, “De l'audace, encore de l'audace, et toujours de l'audace."

From the moment of the admission of Missouri into the Union, there were, practically, but two parties in the country-Slavery extensionists and Slavery prohibitionists. Old party names were retained, but adapted to the situation, and we nɔw heard of "National Whigs" and "National Democrats," the signification being, that however much they might differ as Whigs and Democrats, they were in unison upon the question of fostering the " peculiar

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institution." The population of the Free States increased more rapidly than in other portions of the Union; and unless they could put into operation the old maxim, " diviser pour régner," the advantage already gained might slip from their grasp.

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With Belial-like cunning, the South succeeded in turning the very element of Northern strength to its own advantage. The countless hordes of European emigrants were to be acted upon, influenced, seduced. These Irishmen and Germans, uneducated serfs of the old world, avoided the area of Slave labour, settling upon the fruitful plains of the far-spreading West. By means of its emissaries and managing committees in the Northern ports, Southern politicians induced these immigrants to remain in the districts of great cities, such as New York, Philadelphia, and other populous localities, wherever, in fact, their votes could be made to tell upon the State elections. The Catholic priesthood, ready as it ever was-ready as the clergy of every religion, sect, and age—to sacri fice political liberty to the aggrandisement of their church, were flattered and gained over. The countless petty offices of town and county were given up to foreign nominees. The police force of Northern cities became almost entirely Irish, who also, with a sprinkling of Germans, divided the duties and emolu

ments of aldermen, common councilmen, coroners, magistrates, &c., and, in return, gave the assistance of their votes and passions to the National Democratic party. The latter gained doubly by the arrangement. They gained not merely "the foreign vote," but that opposing interest which could not be bought over-the educated masses of the Northern cities -who eventually were driven from the polls and sickened of politics, by seeing into what hands public affairs had fallen. This was, in after years, the cause of the rise of the Know-Nothing or American party.

Having thus secured a constantly increasing body of adherents, the South was not long in proving to Northern politicians that the surest road to selfadvancement was "in keeping step to the music of the Union ”—another national expression, signifying the union of Slavery with the acts of the General Government. Northern politicians were not slow in appreciating the situation. They remarked, as they could not help remarking, that the Southern States were one at the polls, and that they possessed efficient supporters in the North. They, therefore, courted this influence, and openly gloried in being "Northern men with Southern principles."

One of the greatest and best men of the United States, one of the greatest and best of any country

Henry Clay-was defeated in his contest for the Presidency by this organized band of Northern traitors and slave-like foreigners. True he was a Southerner, but, if we may be allowed the expression, "a Southern man with Northern principles," being stedfastly opposed to any further spread of Slavery. Daniel Webster, the Expounder of the Constitution and the first statesman of his country, never had a chance of the Presidency, owing to his labours in the cause of freedom. The South gives not its influence to such men as these, but to politicians of the calibre of Mr. Franklin Pierce or the "facile" Mr. Buchanan, having previously assured itself that not the slightest taint of free-soil proclivity can be discovered in their antecedents.

The observation has been made that "the South never performed its dirty work by Southern hands." The triumphs of the Slave power have been achieved under Northern presidents, elected and governed by the Southern oligarchy; whilst Slavery has invariably been checked when a Southerner occupied the White House. It is during the administrations of the last three chief magistrates of the Republic that Slavery has dominated the councils of the nation, tyrannizing the free white men of the North, and initiating the present reign of terror and proscription.