I look upon that enactment not as a law but a violence from the beginning.

It was conceived in violence, passed in violence, is maintained in violence, and is being executed in violence.

I say it was conceived in violence, because the destruction of the Missouri Compromise under the Constitution was nothing less than violence.

It was passed in violence, because it could not have passed at all but for the votes of many members in violent disregard of the known will of their constituents.

It is maintained in violence, because the elections since clearly demand its repeal; and the demand is openly disregarded.