Page:The Collected Works of Theodore Parker Slavery volume 5 .djvu/331

Rh that Texas could not be annexed. It was done. I learned wisdom from that. I have taken counsel of my fears. I have not seen any barrier on which the North would rally that we have come to yet. There are some things behind us. John Randolph said, years ago, "We will drive you from pillar to post, back, back, back." He has been as good as his word. We have been driven "back, back, back." But we cannot be driven much further. There is a spot where we shall stop. I am afraid we have not come to it yet. I will say no more about it just now—because not many weeks ago I stood here and said a great deal. You have listened to me when I was feeble and hollow- voiced; I will not tax your patience now, for in this, as in a celebrated feast of old, they have "kept the good wine until now!" (alluding to Mr Garrison and Mr Phillips who were to follow). If the Nebraska Bill is defeated, I shall rejoice that iniquity is foiled once more. But if it become a law—there are some things which seem probable. 1. On the Fourth of March, 1857, the "Democrats" will have "leave to withdraw" from office. 2. Every Northern man who has taken a prominent stand in behalf of slavery will be politically ruined. You know what befell the Northern politicians who voted for the Missouri Compromise; a similar fate hangs over such as enslave Nebraska. Already, Mr Everett is, theologically speaking, among the "lost;" and of all the three thousand New England ministers whose petition he dared not present, not one will ever pray for his political salvation. Pause with me and drop a tear over the ruin of Edward Everett, a man of large talents and commensurate industry, very learned, the most scholarly man, perhaps, in the country, with a persuasive beauty of speech only equalled by this American [Mr Phillips], who therein surpasses him; he has had a long career of public service, public honour—Clergyman, Professor, Editor, Representative, Governor, Ambassador, President of Harvard College, Senator, alike the ornament and the auxiliary of many a learned society—he yet comes to such an end.