We are now far into the fifth year since a policy was initiated"--

此政策实施五年有余"
Kansas-Nebraska--

即在堪萨斯和内布拉斯加法案
"With the avowed object and confident promise

"尽管目标明确信誓旦旦地
of putting an end to the slavery agitation.

决心结束对奴隶制的鼓吹
Under the operation of that policy

但在此政策之下
that agitation has not only not ceased but has constantly augmented.

但这场运动不仅没有消退反倒越演越烈
In my opinion

照我看来
it will not cease until a crisis shall have been

直到一场危机的降临和蔓延
reached and passed.

它才会了结
A house divided against itself cannot stand.

分裂之家无可持存
I believe this government

我认为这样的政府
cannot endure permanently half-slave and half-free.

不能在半奴隶制半自由的状态下长存