FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 493 



John Brown in his day was believed by most people to be a rabid fanatic, and, 

 by some, even a lunatic. To-day everyone admits that both he and his strange career 

 were but the natural outgrowth of conditions and influences then existing — conditions 

 which agitated and controlled the country to a degree almost incredible. Only those 

 who lived in those exciting times and witnessed the fearful excitement can realize the 

 deep-seated animosities which were aroused over the issues involved. I mean the 

 period from 1844 to i860, when good neighbors and close friends were shaking their 

 fists in each others' faces and threatening and even doing personal violence on account 

 of political dififerences, at the bottom of all of which lay the question of American 

 slavery in some form. 



The adoption and legalization of human slavery and the passage of laws to foster 

 and protect it by this democratic, Free Republic, whose proud boast was freedom and 

 equal rights, was an act grossly inconsistent and repugnant to the moral sense of all, 

 and its consideration and discussion stirred the depths of men's feelings as could no 

 other topic. 



African slavery was an inheritance of our Colonial days, a dower from our mother- 

 land, which through greedy commercial interests had established and continued 

 the abomination in her colonies. 



The War of the Revolution was waged for the liberties of the whites only, but 

 during its progress and upon its successful close, eminent, high-minded statesmen, 

 even slave-owners of the South, then advocated that it was the opportune time to rid 

 the land of the great evil. But b\- a most glaring inconsistency, both slavery and 

 freedom were incorporated in our fundamental law. Statesmen, patriots and 

 politicians alike then realized the terrible wrong and danger of the situation. 

 JefTerson gave vent to his condemnation of the wrong when he said: "I tremble for 

 my country when I remember that God is just." 



Slavery and free democracy were not only inconsistent, but hostile, warring forces 

 and elements which were continuaIl\- contending for predominance; and from the 

 adoption of the Constitution to the Emancipation Proclamation, the question in some 

 form was a disturbing element which divided and antagonized not only politicians but 

 friends and neighbors as well. 



That slavery ever had apologists or defenders outside of those directly interested 

 in slave property and slave products is a wonder to all. Even the old slave owners 

 themselves now look back with horror upon those times in which they lived in a 

 continual nightmare of uncertainty and dread, and with a feeling of thankfulness that 

 they are gone, never to return. 



Nothing shows more strikingly the universal unpopularity and early condemnation 

 of slavery, than the reference to it so carefully and blindly made by our forefathers in 



