I am surprised at the extent and depth of real anti-slavery
feeling at the South. Sometimes I question whether Providence is not
permitting the antagonism of the North and South to continue just to
compel the South to hold these colored people in connection with
themselves for their good, until God's purposes of mercy for them are
accomplished, and "the time, times and half a time" of their captivity
is fulfilled. If Northern resistance to slavery had ceased, perhaps the
South would have rid herself of the blacks sooner than would have been
for their good.
I hope that you will not think me "a strong-minded woman" in what I here
repeat to you of the opinions and expressions which I have gathered in
listening to the conversation of intelligent people on this subject. I
write these things for your instruction, and also as memoranda for my
own future use.
It is a cherished idea with many excellent people that the time will
come when there will not be a slave in this land, nor on the earth. If
they mean by this that the time will come when every man in every face
will see a brother and a friend, it is certainly true. But if they mean
by it that ownership in man will come to an end, their opinion and
prophecy are as good as those of men who should undertake to differ from
them, and no better; while both would be entirely presumptuous in being
positive on such a subject.
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