He will say a few words more. "Think the matter
over, upon strict principles of political economy, and you'll find,
gentlemen, he's just the article for big planters. I am happy to see
the calm and serene faces of three of my friends of the clergy
present; will they not take an interest for a fellow-worker in a
righteous cause?" The vender smiles, seems inclined to jocularity,
to which the gentlemen in black are unwilling to submit. They have
not been moving among dealers, and examining a piece of property
here and there, with any sinecure motive. They view the vender's
remarks as exceedingly offensive, return a look of indignation, and
slowly, as if with wounded piety, walk away. The gentlemen in black
are most sensitive when any comparison is made between them and a
black brother. How horible shocked they seem, as, with white
neckerchiefs so modest, they look back as they merge from the mart
into the street!
It is a question whether these sensitive divines were shocked at the
affectation and cold indifference manifested by legitimate dealers,
or at the vender's very impertinent remarks. We will not charge
aught against our brethren of the clergy: no, we will leave the
question open to the reader. We love them as good men who might
labour for a better cause; we will leave them valiant defenders of
southern chivalry, southern generosity, southern affability, and
southern injustice. To be offended at so small an affair as selling
a brother clergyman,--to make the insinuation that they are not
humane, cause of insult,--is, indeed, the very essence of absurdity.
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