The spirit of a man"--
"That will do, child," said your Uncle, "I wanted only that one verse."
* * * * *
I should be glad to transfer some of this Southern ease and beauty of
manners to the North. I wish that we could see more of these Southern
ladies and gentlemen there. They stay away very much, because they
cannot bring servants with them. Whole families would rejoice to visit
our Northern shores and mountains for summer residences, were it not for
this. When our passions subside, and we can look at this subject fairly,
we shall repeal the statutes which prevent a Southerner from residing in
a free state for a season, with his or her servant. The people of
Massachusetts, for example, can easily appreciate the hardship of being
kept away from a clime which they would visit for health or recreation,
by the fear of being set upon by a mob of whites and blacks seeking to
drag a wet-nurse, for example, before a court to be interrogated whether
she does not wish to leave us. How long will our warm-hearted,
hospitable people allow such things? The answer, from ten thousand
tongues, will be, So long as Southern people imprison colored seamen
from the North!--If Southern slaves should come here and make trouble
between our domestics and us, and we should forbid their coming, the
cases would be more nearly parallel.
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