The Life and Writings of Theodore Parker (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1865 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IX. THE LAST DAYS OP A JUST MAN. The Nebraska Bill--Mr Brooks's arguments--Parker's printed works--American revival--Resumption of theological hostilities--Conversion or death--Presentiment of early death--Alarming symptoms--At Santa Cruz--At Montreux--At Combe Varin--At Rome--A pontifical Mass--How Cardinal Antonclli might havo given a president to tho United States--John Brown--His execution--Parker's farewell to the earthly life--Prophetic delirium--Lilies and roses--An ascension--The Protestant Cemetery at Florence. The terrible crisis occasioned by the perpetual encroachments of the pro-fdavery policy advanced rapidly. In proportion as men of foresight tried to arouse public opinion to act against Southern tyranny, the latter hastened to strengthen its preponderance by securing new guarantees, and accomplishing new facts by which return to a better policy was made more costly, and, in many respects, more appalling. In 1853-54 the Missouri Compromise, by which slavery was precluded from passing the 36th degree of latitude, was set aside by the South; which obtained from Congress the admission of Nebraska into the Union as a Slave State. In the same year the odious institution was imposed on Kansas, unwilling to receive it, by armed bands sent from the South. This now State was ravaged by civil war, and with the scarcely disguised connivance of the Federal power. Parker's friend, Sumnor, was tho first to denounce in Congress this new crime against humanity. The partisans of the South, though still a majority in the Chambers, began to feel ill at ease before that voice which no intimidation could silence, and before that conscience inaccessible to the seductions which had till then so often succeeded with Northern politicians. It followed that on...