Perhaps it does seem
perfectly natural and harmless, and no doubt Kate's relation to you is
as gentle and pleasant, almost, as that of an adopted member of a
family, who is half attendant, and half companion; this we understand.
You see nothing terrible in such a relation. O dear madam, you have the
misfortune to have been born under the blinding, blighting influence of
slavery, and cannot see things in the true, just light in which they
appear to us, whose minds are unprejudiced and clear, and whose moral
sentiments on this great subject are more correct and elevated. What is
making all this trouble in our nation? I will answer you in the burning
words of a Northern clergyman in his speech at a meeting called to
sympathize with the family of John Brown, after his death by martyrdom:
"The Slave-Power itself, standing up there in all its deformity in the
sight of Northern consciences,--that is the cause, [applause] and there
the responsibility belongs."[2] Yes, you are sinning against the
Northern conscience! It is settled forever that you are evil-doers in
holding your present relation to the slave. We are bound to hem you in
as by fire, till, like a scorpion so fenced about, you die by your own
sting.
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