The great compromiser

The issue of slavery was always lurking in America’s history, ready to divide and destroy the Union of our nation. During the 1820 to 1850 period, one man helped put off the inevitable clash with his compromises. That man was Henry Clay, who was known as the great compromiser. In 1820 the issue of the expansion of slavery threatened to divide our country. Each side had an equal number of states that were free and slave. The next state to enter the Union threatened to offset the delicate balance. Clay introduced the Missouri compromise, and with it he was able to keep both sides happy for a while. The issue of tariffs also came into play in 1833 when Congress passed the tariff of abominations. This Tariff caused many in the South to consider secession. Clay came up with a compromise that eventually brought the tariff down to normal levels, and peace again was restored. Finally in 1850 California wanted to come into the Union as a free state. This would upset the balance of states that were slave and free. Clay was able to come up with the Compromise of 1850. Even though none of these compromises were able to end slavery or avoid war, they did put off the war for about forty years. God is His mercy was allowing America more time to remove the evil of slavery by vote. How wonderful would it have been if the United States had voted to end slavery like Great Britain did in the mid 1800s. In the early 1850s Henry Clay died, and America lost its champion of Compromise. Less than ten years later, the North and South entered into a Civil War that would change the country forever. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, and His will is for men to solve their problems peaceably. When sinful men refuse to do His will, then He allows war to solve the problem the hard way. We need more men like Henry Clay who are willing to try to make peace. Blessed are the peace makers, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Hopefully we will do things God’s way, and not have to go through the hard way again.