"I agree to that," said the
pro-slavery Senior who gave me that entertainment in his room, (but who,
by the way, being a friend of oppression, had no right to speak in a
meeting in behalf of freedom;) "I agree to that," said he, "Mr.
Chairman, and I move that the School-master be added to the Committee."
What a cruel laugh went through the meeting! while the most
distinguished friends of the slave had hard work to control their faces.
I could not help going to the mover of the resolution after the meeting;
and, laying two fingers of my right hand on his arm, I said, "Don't be
put down; he tried to reproach you for not being college-bred; he had
better get the slaves well educated before he laughs at a Massachusetts
freeman for not being a scholar."--He tossed his black fur-skin cap
half-way to his head, and he wheeled round as he caught it, saying,
"Don't care, liberty's better'n larnin', 'nuff sight."--"Both are good,"
said I, "my friend, and we must give them both to the slave."--"Give 'em
the larnin' after y'u've sot 'em free!" said he; "I'll fight for 'em;
don't want to hear nuthin' 'bout nuthin' else but liberty to them that's
bound." He stooped and pulled a long whip and a tin pail from under the
seat of the pew where he had been sitting, making considerable noise, so
that the people, as they passed out, turned, and the sight of him and
his accoutrements made great sport for some whose opinions and feelings
were the least to be regarded.
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