The abolitionists of the North rose in 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 under our laws, so long as she shall obey them, and there is no law of this District, nor this republic, nor of any state, any monarchy, not even any law of nations, which could be invoked to dismiss her from a capital where, though unwelcome, she has a right to remain.  I may be unwelcome to you, you to me, either of us to any man; yet, having done no treason, so long as we pay our debts and observe the law, no man may raise hand or voice against us.”