We are glad to get rid of it. It had for us two attractive features — it removed the odious Missouri Restriction, and it united the South. Beyond these we never claimed advantages for it, nor pretended the South was likely to gain any power from these Territories.
Original passage & context
"We are glad to get rid of it. It has had for us two very attractive features -- it removed the odious Missouri Restriction, and it has united the South in its support. [...] nor have we pretended that the South was likely to derive any increase of power by these Territories thus organized."
The most striking thing said by the winning side. The Mercury takes the repeal and the unity it produced, and then says plainly that it never expected the South to gain actual power from Kansas or Nebraska — the land, in its own account, being mostly fit for pasturage. A victory valued for what it settled in principle, not for what it delivered.
Read it in the original — Furman Secession Era Editorials transcription ↗