That issue was whether slavery was to be confined within its existing boundaries or be allowed to spread without interference, thereby placing the free states in the minority and surrendering the federal government wholly to the slave power.

这个问题是奴隶制是被限制在其现有的边界内， 还是被允许不受干扰地传播，从而将自由州置于少数， 并将联邦政府完全交给奴隶权力。