Page:The Collected Works of Theodore Parker volume 6.djvu/335

 stance. Does not the Constitution guarantee a Bepublican form of government to every State ? South Carolina has a Republican form of government, has she ? We must be aggressive, and kill the trunk, not maim the branches. When you attempt that, depend upon it the South will know you are in earnest. The Supreme Courtis our worst enemy. I should attack it carefully by regular siege. Conquer and re-construct it. If I were Republican Governor of Massachusetts, or a senator of the State, I should make it a part of my duty to attend every anti-Slaveiy Convention, and to speak there. Such men go to Cattle Shows, and Mechanics' Fairs, and meetings of Bible Societies^ to show that they are at least officiallv interested in farming, manufacturing, and religion. So would I go to the other place, to show that I really took the deepest, heartiest interest, in the great principles of Democracy, and wished to see justice done to the humblest of human kind.

The Daily Advertiser gives us good counsel. In the editorial of the 26th, I find these words: "The enemies of Slaverv and its extension have hitherto occupied too exclusively a defensive attitude ; its friends, by venturing on bold courses of aggression, have continually been gaining groimd. If they did not carry their whole point, they always gained something by compromise. It is right to learn from one's enemy, and it will be fortunate if our friends in Congress have really learned the valuable lesson of refusing to be kept on the defensive."

I know how anxious men are for office. I take it there are 20,000 candidates for the Presidency now Kving. I wish they were enumerated in the census — ^they might come after the overseers of slaves. Certainly no man is too small for the place.. The experience of Europe shows that little men may be born to high office ; America proves that they can be chosen — and Democratic election is as good as royal fore-ordination. But no man is likely to gain that high office by compromise. Webster tried it, and failed ; Clay also failed. If Seward, Chase, or Banks attempt the same thing, they also will come dishonoured to the ground. It is always hard to ride two horses. What if, as now, both be swift, and North runs one way, and South the other? Anti-Slavery is a moveable stone—he