hundred slaves in the southern counties, and a few more were scattered farther north, brought in by settlers from Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky. These slave owners did not wish to lose their "Property," as they termed the slave, and they had many sympathizers. A large number, while deploring the existence of slavery in our free land, maintained that the Missouri Compromise Act should remain in force as a means to preserve peace. They hoped by concessions to quell the agitation for freedom of the slaves, which was vigorously advocated by the abolitionists. Peace and union they held as their dearest prerogative; but, it must be peace on principle, and union on principle.
As principle was the contention on both sides, feeling ran high; thus in the
