We are not
slaves to be terrified into compliance with evil, neither are we sheep
that we need huddle trembling together at the snarling of a wolf."
"No, no, indeed!" were the words heard on all sides in the audience, now
thoroughly roused.
"I do not say, elect this candidate, or that one. I am not canvassing for
any candidate. It is too late for that, even if it were seemly for me to
do so. I am canvassing for the cause of liberty against slavery, as better
men have done before me in this very house. I am defending the reputation
of unity against the slanderous attack of disunion, against the fearful
peril of secession. I appeal to you, as you are men, to act as men in this
great crisis, to put out your strong hands together and avert the
overwhelming disaster that threatens us; to stand side by side as
brothers,--for we are indeed brothers, children of one father and one
mother, heirs of such magnificent heritage as has not fallen to the lot of
mortality before, co-heirs of freedom, and inheritors of the free estate,
five and fifty millions of free children, born to our mother, the great
republic, who bow the knee to no man, and call no man master.
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