"Twenty-eight millions of free men in the North are ready to meet disunion now, and crush it as the strong man crushes an egg-shell in his hand. The people of the North will never peaceable submit to the secession of the South. If the worst comes to the worst, let brother go to war with brother, and let the stronger party take possession of the whole Government. We must have no Southern Confederacy--no Northern Republic, but a Union of "many as one."
(James Brisbin, letter to Virginia governor)
"Eleven non-slaveholding States have passed laws which obstruct the execution of the Fugitive Slave Law. The Southern people have complained for years about these laws and have earnestly asked them to repeal them. The South asks only for the fair and faithful execution of the laws passed for the recovery and protection of her property--that if her property shall escape and be found in non-slaveholding States, you will see that it is promptly restored to the rightful owner. ...it is the duty of patriots in all sections of our country to cultivate a kind, generous and conciliatory spirit towards another. Your letter, however, breathes nothing of this kind; you taunt the South with your superiority of numbers, and threaten to crush them by your fancied power. I take the occasion to say to you, in the kindest spirit imaginable, your threats acted out will be taken at your peril." (John Letcher, Governor of Virginia)
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