Were she to disclose
it to Colonel M'Carstrow, the effect would be doubtful: it might add
to the suspicious circumstances already excited against her
unfortunate uncle. The paramount question-whether they are hereafter
to be chattel slaves, or human beings with inalienable rights-must
be submitted to the decision of a judicial tribunal. It is by no
means an uncommon case, but very full of interest. It will merely be
interesting-not as involving any new question of law, nor presenting
new phases of southern jurisprudence-in showing what very notorious
dealers in human kind, and lawyers of great legal ability, can
morally and legally perform. It will show how great men figure in
the arena of legal degradation, how they unravel the mystery of
slave power.
Graspum, professedly uninterested, has purchased the claims, and
will pursue the payment in the name of the original plaintiffs. With
Romescos's cunning aid, of course the trial will be a perfect farce,
the only exception being that the very profound Mr. Graspum will
exhibit a degree of great sincerity on his part.
The sessions are sitting; the day for the trial of this important
case has arrived; the little dingy court-room is early crowded to
excess, but there is not much expression of anxiety. Men speak
lightly of the issue, as if some simple game were to be played. The
judge, a grave-looking gentleman of no ordinary mien, in whose full
countenance sternness is predominant in the well-displayed
estimation in which he holds his important self, walks measuredly
into court-the lacqueys of the law crying "Court! court!" to which
he bows-and takes his seat upon an elevated tribune.
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