what did thomas jefferson mean when he said the missouri compromise was like a firebell in the night?
did he mean that it was never going to work or something like that?
2 answers
I am not certain, but a firebell in the night wrecks havoc at the least expected time, and most folks are asleep when it happens. Often , it leads to disaster, as few are ready for it.
At this site scan down to the section on Impact of Political Discourse. It explains what Jefferson thought the Compromise would cause.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Compromise
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Compromise