Let great numbers in one section of such a nation as this
conscientiously disapprove of their brethren in another section, and not
only so, but hold them guilty of an immoral and an inhuman system, and
deal with them in such ways as Conscience, that most merciless of
inquisitors and persecutors, alone employs, and if the indicted section
be not exasperated, it will be because the accusation is true,--that
their system has destroyed their manhood."
"But my hope and belief," said he, "are, that all these changes are to
result in the overthrow of slavery."
"I can only say," said I, in answer to such a remark, "that he who
expects relief from our trouble through the eradication of slavery, and
urges on secession and division as the means to effect it, is in danger
of having his enthusiasm counted as fanaticism, if not madness."
"How I wish," said he, "that we could join and buy up these slaves and
set them free."
"Kind and well meant as this proposal is," said I, "nothing is really
more offensive to the South. It implies that her conscience is debauched
by self-interest, and that by offering to remunerate her if she will
part with what we call her ill-gotten booty we shall assist her to
become virtuous.
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