But in an evil hour the statesman saw that the presidency was a prize that could be gained by giving the fugitive slave law as a sop to the South.

In that hour his character suffered grievous injury.

In the attempt to save men's votes he lost men's higher respect.

In deepest sorrow his admirers, abroad and at home, cried out: "O, Lucifer, thou son of the morning, how art thou fallen!" The law of sacrifice is also the law of progress and civilization.
When history exhibits as dead the nations that have been pleasure-seekers it declares that the state that saveth its life shall lose it.

In our own land the bankruptcy and gloom that have for years overshadowed the South speak eloquently of a national gain that is a loss.