23
Under such circumstances, what could be expected, but that Jerry would be rescued? We cannot be too grateful that it was done at the expense of only one broken limb, and at the loss of no life. If now our government, at the instigation of Southern demagogues, and Northern pseudo-patriots, goes about to make out of this transaction a great offence against Law and Government, they will only bring them both into greater contempt—for the people know, that the claims of natural justice, and of suffering humanity are higher than of the law of Sept. 18th, 1850, or the authority of those who would attempt to enforce it.
C.
The occurrence of October 1st has abundantly verified the words of Daniel Webster, uttered in a speech on the State of the Union, in New York, March 15, 1837. "The question of Slavery has not only attracted attention as a question of politics, but it has struck a far deeper, deeper chord. It has arrested the religious feeling of the country. It has taken hold on the consciences of men * * * To coerce it into silence, to endeavor to restrain its free expression, to seek to compress and confine it, warm as it is, and more heated as such endeavors would inevitably render it,—should all this be attempted, I know nothing, even in the Constitution, or the Union itself, which would not be endangered by the explosion which might follow."
