arms against this part of
the great compromise measure; a law which, though constitutional,
seemed to them nefarious and infamous. The leaders in Congress,
both Whig and Democrat, feared now, therefore, nothing in the world
so much as the outbreak of a new political party, which might
disorganize this nicely adjusted compromise, put an end to what all
politicians were fond of calling the "finality" of the arrangement,
and so bring on, if not an encounter of armed forces, if not a
rupture of the Union, at least what to them seemed almost as bad,
the disintegration of the two great parties of the day, the Whigs
and Democrats.

If compromise showed in this meeting of men from different
sections, it was, therefore, but a matter in tune with the time.
Party was at that day not a matter of geography. There existed
then, however, as there exists to-day, the great dividing line
between those who are in and those who are out. Obviously now,
although they represented different sections of the country, these
men likewise represented the party which, under the adjusted vote
of the day, could be called fortunate enough to dwell within the
gates of Washington and not in the outer darkness of political
defeat.

The dark-browed man at the leader's right presently began to speak.
His voice, deep and clear as that of a great bronze bell, was slow
and deliberate, as fittingly voicing an accurate mind.

"Sir," he said, "this matter is one deserving our most careful
study, trivial though at first blush it would seem. As to the
danger of this woman's machinations here, there is no question. A
match may produce convulsion, explosion, disaster, when applied to
a powder magazine. As you know, this country dwells continually
above an awful magazine. At any time there may be an explosion
which will mean ruin not only for our party but our country. The
Free Soil party, twice defeated, does not down. There is a
nationalist movement now going forward which ignores the
Constitution itself. With you, I dread any talk, any act, of our
own or another nation, which shall even indirectly inflame the
northern resentment against the fugitive law."

"On that, we are perfectly agreed, sir," began the original
speaker, "and then--"

"But then, sir, we come to the question of the removal of this
unwelcome person. She herself is a fugitive from no law. She has
broken no law of this land or of this District. She has a right to
dwell here un