The actions of the Border Ruffians demonstrated the following about the slavery debate:
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The opposing sides would resort to violence. - The conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups often escalated into violent confrontations, illustrating the deep divisions and tensions surrounding the slavery issue.
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Compromises would not settle the debate. - The violent actions of the Border Ruffians highlighted that mere compromises, like the Missouri Compromise or the Kansas-Nebraska Act, were insufficient to resolve the fundamental disagreements over slavery, as these issues continued to drive violent conflict.
These responses reflect the intensity and intractability of the slavery debate in the lead-up to the Civil War.