Lincoln, the unknown

13In 1854, a tremendous thing happened to Lincoln. It cameabout as a result of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise.The Missouri Compromise, in brief, was this: In 1819, Missourihad wanted to come into the Union as a slave State. TheNorth had opposed its doing so and the situation became serious.Finally, the ablest public men of that day arranged what isnow known as the Missouri Compromise. The South got whatit wanted: the admission of Missouri as a slave State. The Northgot what it wanted: thereafter slavery was never to be permittedin the West anywhere north of the southern boundary of Missouri.People thought that would stop the quarreling about slavery,and it did—for a while. But now, a third of a century later,Stephen A. Douglas secured the repeal of the Compromise, andmade it possible for a new area lying west of the Mississippiand equal in size to the original thirteen States, to be blightedwith the curse of slavery. He fought long and hard in Congressfor the repeal. The struggle lasted for months. Once during thebitter debates in the House of Representatives, members leapedon top of their desks, knives flashed, and guns were drawn.But finally, after an impassioned plea by Douglas, lasting frommidnight until almost dawn, the Senate passed his bill onMarch 4, 1854. It was a tremendous event. Messengers ranthrough the streets of the slumbering city of Washington, shoutingthe news. Cannon in the Navy Yard boomed to salute thedawn of a new era—a new era that was to be drenched inblood.92