I have been present when
intelligent gentlemen, Northerners and Southerners, have discussed this
subject in the most friendly manner, though with great earnestness. Once
I remember we spent an evening discussing the subject. I will, if you
please, tell you about the conversation.
"I must take you, then, to an old mansion at the South, around which,
and at such a distance from each other as to reveal a fine prospect,
stood a growth of noble elms, a lawn spreading itself out before the
house, and the large hall, or entry, serving for a tea-room, where seven
or eight gentlemen, and as many ladies were assembled.
"A Southern physician, who had no slaves, took the ground that all the
slaves had a right to walk off whenever they pleased. He did not see why
we should hold them in bondage rather than they us, so far as right and
justice were concerned. Some of the slave-holders were evidently much
troubled in their thoughts, and did not speak strongly. My own feelings
at first went with the physician and with his arguments; but I saw that
he was not very clear, nor deep, and his friends who partly yielded to
him, seemed to do so rather under the influence of conscientious
feelings, than from any very well defined principles.
Pages:
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244