Two years elapsed, and lo! the priest was seen again beside the deserted altar, and a brighter, purer, and more lasting flame arose out of the extinguished embers.
"He looked in years.

But in his years were seen A youthful vigor, an autumnal green." The Republic had been extended and consolidated; but human slavery, which had been incorporated in it, was extended and consolidated also, and was spreading, so as to impair the strength of the great fabric on which the hopes of the nations were suspended.

Slavery therefore must be restrained, and, without violence or injustice, must be abolished.

The difficult task of removing it had been postponed by the statesmen of the Revolution, and had been delayed and forgotten by their successors.

There were now resolute hearts and willing hands to undertake it, but who was strong enough, and bold enough to lead?
Who had patience to bear with enthusiasm that overleaped its mark, and with intolerance that defeated its own generous purposes?
Slaveholders had power, nay, the national power; and strange to say, they had it with the nation's consent and sympathy.