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Adams, Nehemiah, 1806-1878

"The Sable Cloud A Southern Tale With Northern Comments (1861)"

Some it makes fierce, others, flat, according as
the victim is, naturally, more or less amiable.
Your mother gave you in charge to me in her last sickness, and I must do
all in my power for your best good. I have, therefore, told you some
things which I have seen and considered. These you must now add to the
facts of your "inductive philosophy." Your definition of "pro-slavery,"
and "friends of oppression," is a fair illustration of a prevailing
state of mind at the North:--"Pro-slavery--_i.e._, do not agree with me
in my manner of viewing and treating the subject." This you will
correct. Excuse my freedom, but you have no father nor mother now, to
advise and guide you, and you must let me be your Mentor in some things.
I shall keep your letter and let you see it perhaps ten years hence. Be
careful what newspapers you read. Those which abound with low,
opprobrious language about the South and Southerners, avoid. There are
some low Southerners about here who go around buying up refractory and
vicious negroes; they are the dregs of society; but I have listened,
with others, at the North, to men, on the subject of "freedom," who, I
think, would take kindly to this business, and they would be as hearty
in it as they are now in vilifying it.


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