Question

Why do you think Jefferson called the slavery issue a “firebell in the night”?

Answer 1

A firebell is an alarm, and he is raising the alarm about slavery.

He believed the slavery issue could destroy the union.

He believed the slavery issue would come up again.

He believed a geographic line separating slave and nonslave states would lead to conflict.

Answer 2

Because of the fact that he saw it as an extremely pressing matter. A fire bell in the night indicates there is an emergency and Jefferson saw the matter as an emergency.