"
"And helped the South," said Mr. North, "perpetuate violations of the
marriage relation, and to separate families, and to countenance all the
sins in slavery!"
"Yes, to some degree," said I; "for should we treat them with common
candor and truthfulness, make them feel that we appreciate the
perplexities of the subject, admit for once, and act upon it, that they
are better and more competent 'friends of the slave' than we, it would
be the surest way to put a stop to every evil in slavery. Now they have
little power over a certain class of men among them, who, when measures
are proposed for the relief of the slaves, raise the cry that they are
abolitionists, and excite an odium which deters them from doing many
things which would otherwise be attempted."
"They might all certainly join," said Mr. North, "one would think, to
prevent the violation of the marriage contract by the slaves, and the
sundering of the marriage tie by the auctioneer."
"Now," said I, "there are two allegations, and I will answer them. As to
the violation of the marriage covenant by the slaves, are you aware how
many divorces for the same cause are granted in your own state yearly?
You will find, on inquiry, that 'freedom' has nothing to boast of in
this respect.
Pages:
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199