MEMBER OF CONGRESS: The fugitive slave law reads thus: 'Any slave escaping to the North might be seized wherever found and brought before a United States judge. He cannot give testimony, or prove that he is not a slave. All citizens are commanded to aid in the capture of the fugitive.' Are we willing to accept Mr. Clay's clause in this Compromise? As for myself, gentlemen, I think not. MEMBER OF CONGRESS: No, gentlemen, I do not think that we should accept this. Many of these people have escaped into the North and are living peaceably as free men. If this law goes into effect we will have men who for money will go into the North and return these people to slavery. There is a higher law even than an act of Congress. It is the Golden Rule: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' MEMBER OF CONGRESS: I say, Sir, we should have our slaves returned. We need our slaves badly. (Mr. Calhoun's speech is read). MR. CLAY: I believe from the bottom of my soul that this measure is the re-union of the Union. MEMBER OF CONGRESS: Mr. Clay's country is Virginia. He does not understand that we of the South need slaves. If we of the South can't keep our slaves, we will leave the Union. MR. CLAY: The honorable Senator speaks of Virginia being my country. This Union is my country, but even if my own state should raise the standard of disunion I would go against her. I would go against Kentucky much as I love her. Mr. Calhoun's speech, Mr. President. Mr. Calhoun is ill, I have a speech he wishes to be read. MR. PRESIDENT: Honorable Senator, read Mr. Calhoun's speech. (Mr. Calhoun's speech). Gentlemen of Congress: The Union is in danger today on account of the Abolitionists. They have stirred up strife. All agitation against slavery should be stopped. The relation existing between the two races has existed for two centuries. We cannot permit it to be destroyed. 'Slavery is a good, a positive good.' There should be an equal division of territory between the North and South. If you of the North will not do this, then let our Southern states separate and depart in peace. Having faithfully done my duty to the best of my ability, both to the Union and my section, I shall have the consolation that I am free from all responsibility. MR. WEBSTER: Mr. President. MR. PRESIDENT: Mr. Webster. MR. WEBSTER: I wish to speak today not as a Massachusetts man nor as a Northern man, but as an American and a member of the United States Senate. I speak today for the preservation of the Union. Hear me for my cause. I speak from an anxious heart for the return of the peace and quiet of this Union. I should rather have heard that this Union should never be dissolved than that word secession. Secession, peaceable secession. Sir, your eyes and mine will never see that miracle. Sir, I see as plainly as I see that sun in Heaven that secession means a war. It means a war, a war I cannot describe. _End of Play._ THE STORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN ACT I.