 |
|
 | The Repeal of the Missouri Compromise |  |
And who can truthfully allege
That Slavery's not redeemed his pledge.
He has returned, increased in might,
And put his strongest foes to flight.
The Compromise, as we've supposed,
Which was by prudent men proposed,
Was clearly all the measure then
Which would unite our Congressmen.
And some constituents confessed
The measure was by far the best
To cause fierce jealousies to cease,
And to establish public peace;
And, as the loaf could not be won,
The half was preferable to none.
And thus united did they fix
The parallel of thirty-six
And thirty minutes, to divide
The land, and ever to decide
The bounds of Slavery's dismal night.
And where the glorious cheering light
Of Freedom might forever fall,
Bequeathing liberty to all—
And that the North might boldly say,
Proud Slavery, thou shall have no sway
Beyond thy dark and barb'rous home:
Thus far, no farther, shalt thou come!
That Slavery's not redeemed his pledge.
He has returned, increased in might,
And put his strongest foes to flight.
The Compromise, as we've supposed,
Which was by prudent men proposed,
Was clearly all the measure then
Which would unite our Congressmen.
And some constituents confessed
The measure was by far the best
To cause fierce jealousies to cease,
And to establish public peace;
And, as the loaf could not be won,
The half was preferable to none.
And thus united did they fix
The parallel of thirty-six
And thirty minutes, to divide
The land, and ever to decide
The bounds of Slavery's dismal night.
And where the glorious cheering light
13
Bequeathing liberty to all—
And that the North might boldly say,
Proud Slavery, thou shall have no sway
Beyond thy dark and barb'rous home:
Thus far, no farther, shalt thou come!
| The Repeal of the Missouri Compromise | |