1 86a] MR. SEWARD'S SPEECH. 239 



changes seats with some one else (his own being at the very 

 back, by the door), to get a better speaking-place ; he lounges 

 lazily, while they read the resolution (for the admission of 

 Kansas) : — 6 The admission of Kansas without further delay 

 seems to me a measure equally necessary, just, and wise.' He 

 speaks deliberately and plainly : wishes to allay the feverish 

 breeze by which the nation is excited : a poor story, if 

 thirty million, European by extraction, American by birth and 

 discipline, Christian by faith, cannot get on, notwithstanding the 

 one disturbing story of slavery. [Seward describes how slavery 

 deprives a man of his natural rights, and regards him merely 

 as a chattel.] My Southern neighbour grunts opposition, and 

 chews tobacco, and spits. Poor man ! to be obliged to 

 hear Anti-slavery speeches : there are some twelve hundred 

 people all listening to the same : time was, when this speech 

 could scarcely have been delivered. [When Seward entered 

 on the history of the original compromises of the constitution, 

 he seemed very dry; but he became more animated, as he 

 recounted the fall of the Whig party, on their consent to the 

 repeal of the Missouri compromise, and the formation of the 

 Republican party, and the new claim of the Democrats — that 

 Congress had no power to forbid slavery in the Territories.] 

 Would that they could hear Brougham utter a few hearty truths. 

 What dull work it is — treating the most horrid crimes in civilized 

 history as calmly as a question of diplomacy ! [Seward declares 

 that 'slavery is the completest possible development of des- 

 potism. . . . The world, prepossessed in our favour for early 

 devotion to freedom, is amazed ! We have surrendered safeguard 

 after safeguard of freedom, in order that we might propitiate 

 capital . . . The Republicans have two questions : — How many 

 votes can they cast? and, Have they courage to cast these 

 votes ? ' then he answers the charge that the North is hostile 

 to the South.] Bah ! ' Please, Mrs. South, believe that we love 

 you very much. Let us hem you in, and keep you prisoner 

 where you are : you have a very large prison ; be satisfied with 

 it, and let us have all the rest !'.... He is going on stroking 

 the South 1 What's the use ? stroke as he may, the South 



