In April, 1859, I presided at a dinner in honor of Jefferson. In the speech that I then made, I predicted the Rebellion, although at that time there were but few who expected any event more serious than a political struggle. I then said:
“The great issue with slavery is upon us. We cannot
escape it. The policy of men may have precipitated the
contest; but, from the first, it was inevitable. The result is not
doubtful. The labor, the business, the wealth, the learning,
the civilization, of the whole country, South as well as North,
will ultimately be found on the side of freedom. The power
of the North is not in injustice. We are bound to be just;
we can afford to be generous. Concede to our brethren of
the South every constitutional right without murmuring and
without complaint. Under the Constitution and in the Union
every difficulty will disappear, every obstacle will be
overcome. But, rendering justice to others, let us secure justice
for ourselves; and we of the North, not they of the South,
shall be held responsible, if the slave-trade upon the high
seas is openly pursued or covertly permitted, if new territory
is consigned to slavery, or if the gigantic powers of this
government are longer perverted to the support of an
institution dangerous to the welfare of the people and hostile to
the perpetuity of the Union.”
A letter from Abraham Lincoln was read at the Jefferson
dinner. As Mr. Lincoln’s letter has more value, manifestly,
in the year 1901, than it appeared to have in the year 1859,
I reprint the important parts of that communication:
“Bearing in mind that about seventy years ago two great
political parties were first formed in this country—that
Jefferson was the head of one of them, and Boston the
headquarters of the other, it is both curious and interesting that
