He hated slavery and all its belongings, though a seeming necessity constrained him to write, in 1838, to this intensely pro-slavery city, a pro-slavery letter, which was at war with his real, or at least with his subsequent convictions.
Alexander discusses the internal conflict of a political figure who opposed slavery but felt compelled to conform to societal pressures.
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The heart of the country is fixed on higher and nobler things.
Indeed, he went a step farther in the way of irreconciliation, preferring Hoffman and Tammany, he said, to "the reckless, red-radicalism which rules the present Congress....
And what have I to lose by withdrawing and leaving the party unembarrassed?
Thus far Conkling's success had been as unexpected as it was dazzling.
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