The Center Can't Hold

Each side indulged its separatist tendencies to the full, and reviving ancient, even long forgotten tongues, used these as weapons in ever extending hostilities.

Vain to assemble such contrary elements in a Congress. Vain to suppose that the processes and amenities of the Republic would afford expression in such divergencies. Congress can only flourish when fundamentals are agreed or at least accepted by the great majority of all parties.

In the Congress bands of excited deputies sat and howled at each other by the hour in rival languages, accompanying their choruses with the ceaseless slamming of desks which eventually by a sudden crescendo swelled into a cannonade. All gave rein to hatred; and all have paid for its indulgence with blood and tears.