Since the struggle of 1850 the dissolution of the Union had been in the minds of many Southern leaders, and, as the older class of statesmen passed away, this design grew and strengthened until it became a fixed policy.
Blaine reflects on the intentions of Southern leaders regarding the Union's dissolution leading up to the Civil War.
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That is his work and it cannot properly be taken out of his hands.
An avenging God cannot sleep while such things find countenance.
Such an opportunity would have been a menace to the public credit, and would have proved a constant source of corruption.
Observing men in the loyal States regarded such a policy not only as weak and maudlin, but as utterly insufficient and assuredly dangerous to the future safety of the Government.
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