to their masters and their interests; and upon inquiry, I have universally found that they were perfectly contented with their condition, snd had no wish to be free; because they were well taken care of, and would be well provided for when old and infirm. Nor are the slaves destitute of religious instruction. In this respect they are well provided for. There are white preachers who are employed for the exclusive purpose of preaching to, and instructing the slaves. And the masters find that religion makes their slaves more faithful, dutiful and useful. Hence, policy and interest, no less than humanity and religion, dictate to the masters to treat their slaves well. How often have I seen the deep sympathy and interest the slaves take and manifest in their master’s affairs and fortunes—how they would exult when their masters were prosperous and successful! and how deeply would they sympathise—how sad and silent when afflictions or misfortunes overtake their master’s families. All these things I have seen and much more of a similar character than I can describe. How little do our brawling abolitionists know of the condition—the happy condition—of the slave; and how little do they know the amount of mischief they are doing.
We repeat again, they are the worst enemy the slave has. And not only an enemy to the slave, but an enemy to their—country—an enemy to law, order and humanity.
Once more, the opinion that the existence of slavery has a tendency to harden the heart, and destroy the noble and generous feelings of the soul, is as destitute of truth as ever falsehood was. Where do we find such exhibitions of disinterested hospitality, uncalculating generosity, ardent friendship, spontaneous kindness, honor, sincerity, love and affection, with noblest magnanimity, as among the sons and daughters of the south? Would to God the abolitionists were baptized with the spirit of these qualities!
And I have often beheld the graceful and accomplished lady of the south in the hut of the sick and dying negro, ministering that assistance and comfort, which derive half their efficacy from the hand and the voice that impart them; and which woman is so ready, and knows so well, how to administer. And, perhaps, at the very time they were doing these things, in soothing the pains of the body, or the worse pains of the mind, and smoothing the dark path of the dying, their sisters of the north were holding conventions, preparing reports, forming committees of correspondence, drawing up remonstrances against their sisters of the south, and denouncing slavery as a heaven-daring sin, and slave-holders as the chief of sinners: or listening to some “godly young man” with brains as thin and shallow as his beard, and whose sphere of knowledge extends no further than the circle of his neighborhood, delivering himself of a rhapsody of solemn nonsense and falsehood, respecting a subject that he and his
