James Smith
From James Smith Journal of Thoughts 1860
March 15.
The crazy raid of Brown and his associates at Harper's ferry last fall has given rise to rather an extra political excitement, through every part of the Union. At the North the ultra Abolitionist insist on abolishing Slavery at all hazards, even if the Union should be broken to pieces in the attempt. They, however, are a small faction. At South the pro-slavery men insist on establishing Slavery more firmly, where it is, and spread it into new territroy if possible, even if it break up the Union, while it is believed, and hoped, that a large majority of citizens in every part of our country, are sufficiently patriotic and well informed, and sensible not to try to regulate all difficulties without any fatal ___-or civil war. The two first mentioned factions are well named "fire eaters" and it is my decided opinion, that if living on this consuming diet, combustible as they are, should only terminate in burning themselves up, it would be no loss to our Republic, they would be well out of the way. Bit I think there is some danger in their using their favorite food so freely right among the mass of their fellow citizens where the feeling of all are in dome degree excited --- when all these social elements, that are capable of moral combustion are out, _______in the fire-fanning breeze of moral excitement---_____ the folds of our noble Constitution and it___________of excellent Law, should take fire and be consumed and leave us, a disorganized and comparatively unhappy company ________, with our Union demolished and our national prosperity effectually checked.
But I hope and pray that the Great Director of Providence has better things in store for us. I Trust that He has favored us in past time so that this is a sufficient degree of true light and knowledge, and good patriotic principles, (the only sure means of preserving a free government,) to carry _____through all our present difficulties, in spite of all the plausible, or inflammatory effusions of disorganizing, and selfish Demagogues, and by the exercise of the free right of Suffrage establish us in the true course of National improvements; Nay, a kind providence may so over run the influence of that mad raid, as to make it promote friendly confidence and paternal harmony between the North and the South. It may convince the S. that there is but a vary small faction at the North that wish to put down Slavery by any means that are contrary to the Constitution and Laws, and that they were much mistaken in thinking that wish was universal there; and thus when they see, that their northern brethren are perfectly willing to leave the institution of slavery (whatever they think of its merits or rewards) entirely to the management of each state where it exists, they will regard their northern brethren with less suspicion, and more friendly confidence. There are many, among their own citizens, doubtless, who regard slavery as an evil and those who do not, can bear with their northern fellow citizens as well as with them, where they know that they are all willing to have it managed entirely according to law. Is there a true hearted _____ citizen who would willingly do nay thing to hinder, or retard our Republic from going on in its great Mission of exemplifying, advocating and patronizing free peoples _____ our government, among the nations of the Earth?
