Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863 edition. Excerpt: ... 324 CHAPTER XVI. MAN INCAPABLE OF SELF-GOVERNMENT. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION -- SLAVERY NOT THE CAUSE OF IT -- POLITICAL SUPREMACY -- EX-PRESIDENT FILLMORE'S, DANIEL 'WEBSTER'S, LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S, AND R. J. WALKER'S OPINIONS ON THE SUBJECT -- NON-INTERVENTION THE BEST POLICY, ETC. In this, my concluding chapter, I shall touch upon a subject which properly does not come within my text, and I approach it with a gravity commensurate with its importance. It is not my purpose to elucidate the causes which have brought about the downfal of the American Republic. I do not pretend to the character of a publicist, or that of a philosophical historian. But as an attentive, and, I trust, impartial observer, I think I can correct some grave misconceptions of the events which have gained credence. In the first place, slavery, although the occasion, was not the producing cause of the dissolution. The cord which bound the sections together was strained beyond its strength, and, of course, snapped at the point where the fretting of the strands was > greatest. The contest on the part of the North was for supreme control, especially in relation to the fiscal action of the Government. This object could not be fully attained by a mere numerical majority. A majority of States was also necessary. To secure this majority, and thus complete the political ascendency of the North, the policy of 'no more Slave States' was formally set forth. A political party was formed, whose sole principle was the exclusion of slavery from the territories. There was no moral sentiment involved in this. It did not alter the status of slavery. It made not a human being free; nor did it propose to do so. 'Sir, ' said Mr. Webster in the Senate, 'this is not a moral question: it is..