Page:The Collected Works of Theodore Parker volume 6.djvu/329

316 to Switzerland. Here is a man equally noble, perhaps with a nicer culture than any of them. He has now the same firmness, the same integrity—faithfulness to delegated trust, allegiance to the higher law of right. His empty chair is eloquent.

4. Then there are Republicans out of Congress, in official station, who are at work. All the New England States, New York, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, have governors and legislatures, I think, hostile to Slavery—after the "Republican" way. The election of Mr. Banks was a triumph in Massachusetts. In fifty years past, no Northern State has sent a man to the House of Representatives, who in twenty-five years acquired as great influence there as Mr. Banks in four. He has many qualities which fit him for eminence in American politics—if he only be faithful to the right. I hear loud condemnation of him from anti-Slavery men, because, say they, "he will do wrong by and by." Our sentence will be in season if it comes after the crime ; and the actual offences of Republican politicians are so numerous that I will not condemn conjectural felonies before they are committed. I hear it said he will not remove Judge Loring. Wait and see. This I know, that a good deal within twelve months, he said he wished him removed, by the address of the Legislature; and if he (Banks) were Governor, he (Banks) would do it! If he try to ride a compromise, he may depend on it he will not ride far, however long! "The day of compromise is past." I remember the speech he made in Wall-street, New York ; also the one at Salem. I have no defence to make for them, no excuse to offer for him. I felt astonished and ashamed. But to exchange his predecessor for him seemed a triumph of freedom in 1857; I hope it will prove so in years to come.

The Republican party has done considerable service, but it does not behave very well. It is cowardly; a little deceitful; "making I dare not wait upon I would." Coloured waiters at public festivals say, "the Democrats treat us better than the Republicans." Events have clearly shown that the party did not deserve to gain the Federal power in 1856; that it would have been ruinous to the party could they then have taken the great offices, and disastrous to the cause of freedom, which they would compromise.