nting masters of Southern slaves and
the order-loving citizens of the land of steady habits. Whatever
their course may be, it is common to the whole country. Here, then,
is one point at which danger may be expected. The question recurs,
How shall we fortify against it? The answer is simple. Let every
American, every lover of liberty, every well-wisher to his
posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate
in the least particular the laws of the country, and never to
tolerate their violation by others. As the patriots of
'seventy-six' did to the support of the Declaration of
Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and the Laws
let every American pledge his life, his property, and his sacred
honor; let every man remember that to violate the law is to trample
on the blood of his father, and to tear the charter of his own and
his children's liberty. Let reverence for the laws be breathed by
every American mother to the lisping babe that prattles on her lap.
Let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges. Let it
be written in primers, spelling-books, and in almanacs. Let it be
preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and
enforced in courts of justice. And, in short, let it become the
political religion of the nation.

During the years of Lincoln's service in the Illinois Legislature the
Democratic party was strongly dominant throughout the State. The feeling
on the subject of slavery was decidedly in sympathy with the South. A
large percentage of the settlers in the southern and middle portions of
Illinois were from States in which slave labor was maintained; and
although the determination not to permit the institution to obtain a
foothold in the new commonwealth was general, the people were opposed to
any action which should affect its condition where it was already
established. During the sessions of 1836-7 resolutions of an extreme
pro-slavery character were carried through the Legislature by the
Democratic party, aiming to prevent the Abolitionists from obtaining a
foothold in the State. Lincoln could not conscientiously support the
resolutions, nor hold his peace concerning them. He did not shrink from
the issue, but at the hazard of losing his political popularity and the
gratifying prospects that were opening before him he drew up a protest
against the pro-sla