If we would only cease to 'exert influence' in that direction, and begin
to learn that the people of the South are as Christian, benevolent, and
good in every respect as we, this first, great lesson, which we all need
to learn, would do us all great good. Self-righteousness is the great
characteristic of the Northern people with regard to the South. Fifteen
States declare that they are justified before God in continuing the
system of slavery. The other States would be ashamed to condemn those
fifteen States for immorality in the discussion of any other subject;
but here they assume that one half of the American nation is convicted
of crime. I take the ground that, if the Churches and the ministry of
those fifteen States say, With all the evils of slavery, it is right and
best that we should maintain it, I will so far yield my convictions as
not to feel that they are less righteous than I."
"Oh," said Mr. North, "but they have been born and educated under the
system. Of course they must be blinded by it, and their moral sense
perverted."
"There," said I, "Mr. North, is the 'Northern Evil' again. Oh, what a
shame it is for intelligent people to decry Southern Christians in this
way, and to erect their own moral sense into such self-complacent
superiority!
"You will see in your church one excellent brother, whose heart is
filled with anguish at the thought of the 'poor slave.
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