north america-2-第92章
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that it is an institution of divine origin and fit to be perpetuated among men as in itself excellent； had not found that favor in the Southern States in which it is now held。 Jefferson； who has been regarded as the leader of the Southern or Democratic party； has left ample testimony that he regarded slavery as an evil。 It is； I think； true that he gave such testimony much more freely when he was speaking or writing as a private individual than he ever allowed himself to do when his words were armed with the weight of public authority。 But it is clear that on the whole he was opposed to slavery； and I think there can be little doubt that he and his party looked forward to a natural death for that evil。 Calculation was made that slavery when not recruited afresh from Africa could not maintain its numbers； and that gradually the negro population would become extinct。 This was the error made。 It was easier to look forward to such a result and hope for such an end of the difficulty； than to extinguish slavery by a great political movement； which must doubtless have been difficult and costly。 The Northern States got rid of slavery by the operation of their separate legislatures； some at one date and some at others。 The slaves were less numerous in the North than in the South； and the feeling adverse to slaves was stronger in the North than in the South。 Mason and Dixon's line； which now separates slave soil from free soil； merely indicates the position in the country at which the balance turned。 Maryland and Virginia were not inclined to make great immediate sacrifices for the manumission of their slaves； but the gentlemen of those States did not think that slavery was a divine institution destined to flourish forever as a blessing in their land。 The maintenance of slavery was； I think； a political mistakea political mistake； not because slavery is politically wrong； but because the politicians of the day made erroneous calculations as to the probability of its termination。 So the income tax may be a political blunder with usnot because it is in itself a bad tax； but because those who imposed it conceived that they were imposing it for a year or two； whereas； now； men do not expect to see the end of it。 The maintenance of slavery was a political mistake； and I cannot think that the Americans in any way lessen the weight of their own error by protesting； as they occasionally do； that slavery was a legacy made over to them from England。 They might as well say that traveling in carts without springs； at the rate of three miles an hour； was a legacy made over to them by England。 On that matter of traveling they have not been contented with the old habits left to them； but have gone ahead and made railroads。 In creating those railways the merit is due to them； and so also is the demerit of maintaining those slaves。 That demerit and that mistake have doubtless brought upon the Americans the grievances of their present position； and will； as I think； so far be accompanied by ultimate punishment that they will be the immediate means of causing the first disintegration of their nation。 I will leave it to the Americans themselves to say whether such disintegration must necessarily imply that they have failed in their political undertaking。 The most loyal citizens of the Northern States would have declared a month or two sinceand for aught I know would declare nowthat any disintegration of the States implied absolute failure。 One stripe erased from the banner； one star lost from the firmament； would entail upon them all the disgrace of national defeat！ It had been their boast that they would always advance； never retreat。 They had looked forward to add ever State upon State； and Territory to Territory； till the whole continent should be bound together in the same union。 To go back from that now； to fall into pieces and be divided； to become smaller in the eyes of the nations； to be absolutely halfed； as some would say of such division； would be national disgrace； and would amount to political failure。 〃Let us fight for the whole；〃 such men said； and probably do say。 〃To lose anything is to lose all！〃 But the citizens of the States who speak and think thus； though they may be the most loyal； are perhaps not politically the most wise。 And I am inclined to think that that defiant claim of every star； that resolve to possess every stripe upon the banner； had become somewhat less general when I was leaving the country than I had found it to be at the time of my arrival there。 While things were going badly with the North； while there was no tale of any battle to be told except of those at Bull's Run and Springfield； no Northern man would admit a hint that secession might ultimately prevail in Georgia or Alabama。 But the rebels had been driven out of Missouri when I was leaving the States； they had retreated altogether from Kentucky； having been beaten in one engagement there； and from a great portion of Tennessee； having been twice beaten in that State。 The coast of North Carolina； and many points of the Southern coast； were in the hands of the Northern army； while the army of the South was retreating from all points into the center of their country。 Whatever may have been the strategetical merits or demerits of the Northern generals； it is at any rate certain that their apparent successes were greedily welcomed by the people； and created an idea that things were going well with the cause。 And as all this took place； it seemed to me that I heard less about the necessary integrity of the old flag。 While as yet they were altogether unsuccessful； they were minded to make no surrender。 But with their successes came the feeling； that in taking much they might perhaps allow themselves to yield something。 This was clearly indicated by the message sent to Congress by the President； in February； 1862； in which he suggested that Congress should make arrangements for the purchase of the slaves in the border States； so that in the event of secessionaccomplished secessionin the Gulf States； the course of those border States might be made clear for them。 They might hesitate as to going willingly with the North； while possessing slaves； as to sitting themselves peaceably down as a small slave adjunct to a vast free…soil nation； seeing that their property would always be in peril。 Under such circumstances a slave adjunct to the free…soil nation would not long be possible。 But if it could be shown to them that in the event of their adhering to the North compensation would be forthcoming； then； indeed； the difficulty in arranging an advantageous line between the two future nations might be considerably modified。 This message of the President's was intended to signify that secession on favorable terms might be regarded by the North as not undesirable。 Moderate men were beginning to whisper that； after all； the Gulf States were no source either of national wealth or of national honor。 Had there not been enough at Washington of cotton lords and cotton laws？ When I have suggested that no Senator from Georgia would ever again sit in the United States Senate； American gentlemen have received my remark with a slight demur； and have then proceeded to argue the case。 Six months before they would have declared against me and not have argued。 I will leave it to Americans themselves to say whether that disintegration of the States will； should it ever be realized； imply that they have failed in their political undertaking。 If they do not protest that it argues failure； I do not think that their feelings will be hurt by such protestations on the part of others。 I have said that the blunder made by the founders of the nation with regard to slavery has brought with it this secession as its punishment。 But such punishments come generally upon nations as great mercies。 Ireland's famine was the punishment of her imprudence and idleness； but it has given to her prosperity and progress。 And indeed； to speak with more logical correctness； the famine was no punishment to Ireland； nor will secession be a punishment to the Northern States。 In the long result； step will have gone on after step； and effect will have followed cause； till the American people w
