forever. They contribute directly all that can be legitimately done
by Congress, and they recommend it to the legislatures of the States
to accomplish the remainder. Why, then, is it that harmony is not
restored? The answer is, that you are not satisfied with this
settlement, however complete. You must have more guarantees in the
Constitution. You must make the protection and extension of slavery
in the Territories now existing, and hereafter to be acquired, a
cardinal doctrine of our great charter. Without that, you are
determined to dissolve the Union. How stands the case, then? We
offer to settle the question finally in all of the present territory
that you claim, by giving you every chance of establishing slavery
that you have any right to require of us. You decline to take the
offer, because you fear it will do you no good. Slavery will not go
there. But, if that be true, what is the use of asking for the
protection anyhow, much less in the Constitution? Why require
protection where you will have nothing to protect? All you appear to
desire it for is New Mexico. Nothing else is left. Yet, you will not
accept New Mexico at once, because ten years of experience have
proved to you that protection has been of no use thus far. But, if
so, how can you expect that it will be of so much more use hereafter
as to make it worth dissolving the Union?

But, if we pass to the other condition, is it any more reasonable?
Are we going to fight because we cannot agree upon the mode of
disposing of our neighbor's lands? Are we to break up the Union of
these States, cemented by so many years of common sufferings, and
resplendent with so many years of common glory, because it is
insisted that we should incorporate into what we regard as the
charter of our freedom a proclamation to the civilized world that we
intend to grasp the territory of other nations whenever we can do