Yankees are cowards; they dare not resist us. We will
drive them just where we like. We will force the Nebraska
Bill down their throats, and then force Saint Domingo and
Cuba after it." That is public opinion in Kentucky. My
brothers, it is very well deserved.
The North hated the Missouri Compromise. Daniel Webster fought against it with all his manly might; and then it was very manly and very mighty. When he collects his speeches, in 1850, for electioneering purposes—a political pamphlet in six octavos—he leaves out all his speeches and writings against the Missouri Compromise! His friend, Mr. Everett, writes his memoir, and there is nothing about Mr. Webster's opposition to the extension of Slavery; about the Missouri Compromise not one single word.
in the Commomwealth of this morning, in which yon maintain that the statements in my last sermon respecting the delinquency of the Northern clergy were too sweeping, and that I did injustice to the ministers who stoutly resisted the Fugitive Slave Bill and its execution. Perhaps the language of the sermon would seem to warrant your opinion. But I have so many times, and in so public a manner, expressed my respect and veneration for those noble men who have been found truthful in times of peril, that I cannot think I am in general obnoxious to the charge you make against me.
In respect to the special sermon of last Sunday, I beg leave to inform you that the whole was neither printed nor preached; the entire sermon is now in press, and when you see it, I think you will find that I do no injustice to the men you speak of. As I spoke on Sunday, I did
not suppose any one would misunderstand my words, or think I wished to be regarded as the only one found faithful. Certainly I have many times done honour to the gentlemen you mention, and to the journals you refer to — ^with others you do not name. And allow me to say, the
conduct of yourself and all your family has not only been a strong personal encouragement to me, but a theme of public congratulation which I have often brought' forward in lectures, and sermons, and speeches. I am a little surprised that you should suppose that by the churches of
commerce in New York, Boston, &c., I mean all the churches of these towns. I still think that from 1850 to 1852 the general voice of the New England churches, so far as it was heard through the press, was in favour of the Fugitive Slave Bill and its execution. This was especially true of the rich and &shionable churches in the great commercial towns. Surely you cannot forget the numerous clerical eulogies on the late Mr. Webster, which sought to justify all his political conduct. I do not think you have made out a very strong case for Andover.
I am sorry to have given pain to a man whose life is so noble and his character so high; but believe me,
Respectfully and truly yours,
Theodore Parker.
