How did Ralph Waldo Emerson describe politicians and ordinary citizens in relation to the issue of slavery in his speech, "The Fugitive Slave Law?"

In this
speech, Emerson denounces both politicians and ordinary people.  He says that they are both
complicit in the evils of slavery and that they have shown their lack of moral fiber.

Emerson is speaking because of the fact that some fugitive slaves had been taken from
Boston and returned to slavery.  He is aghast that such a thing could have happened.  He argues
that both...