Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 9.djvu/120

 THE WORLD'S FAMOUS ORATIONS sal discontent which pervades all the States composing the Southern section of the Union. This widely extended discontent is not of recent origin. It conmienced with the agitation of the slavery question and has been increasing ever since. The next question, going one step fur- ther back, is: What has caused this widely dif- fused and ahnost universal discontent ? It is a great mistake to suppose, as is by some, that it originated with demagogs who excited the discontent with the intention of aiding their personal advancement, or with the disappointed ambition of certain politicians who resorted to it as the means of retrieving their fortunes. On the contrary, all the great political influences of the section were arrayed against excitement, and exerted to the utmost to keep the people quiet. The great mass of the people of the South were divided, as in the other section, into Whigs and Democrats. The leaders and the presses of both parties in the South were very solicitous to prevent excitement and to preserve quiet; be- cause it was seen that the effects of the former would necessarily tend to weaken, if not destroy, the political ties which united them with their respective parties in the other section. Those who know the strength of party ties will readily appreciate the immense force which this cause exerted against agitation and in favor of preserving quiet. But, great as it was, it was not sufficient to prevent the widespread dis- content which now pervades the section. 110-