At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.

Let any one who doubts carefully contemplate that now
almost complete legal combination—

piece of machinery so to speak—

compounded of the Nebraska doctrine
and the Dred Scott decision.

Let him consider not only what work the machinery is adapted to do,
and how well adapted,

but also let him study
the history of its construction, and trace,

if he can, or rather fail, if he can,
to trace the evidence of design and concert of action,

among its chief architects,
from the beginning.