Mr. Seabrook never
gives an opinion, nor acts for his friends, unless every thing he
does be considered distinguished, and gratuitously rendered.
"What will you do with such property, madam?" inquires the
gentleman, having listened profoundly to her request.
"To save them from being sold into the hands of such men as Graspum
and Romescos; it's the only motive I have" she speaks, gently: "I
love the child; and her mother still loves her: I am a mother."
"Remember, my dear lady, they are adjudged property by law; and all
that you can do for them won't save them, nor change the odour of
negro with which it has stamped them."
"Of that I am already too well aware, Mr. Seabrook; and I know, too,
when once enslaved, how hard it is to unslave. Public sentiment is
the worst slave we have; unslave that, and the righteousness of
heaven will give us hearts to save ourselves from the
unrighteousness of our laws.
"Go, Mr. Seabrook, purchase the children for me, and you will soon
see what ornaments of society I will make them!"
"Ornaments to our society!" interrupts Mr. Seabrook, pausing for a
moment, as he places the fore-finger of his right hand upon his
upper lip. "That would be a pretty consummation-at the south! Make
ornaments of our society!" Mr. Seabrook turns the matter over and
over and over in his mind. "Of such things as have been pronounced
property by law! A pretty fix it would get our society into!" he
rejoins, with emphasis. Mr. Seabrook shakes his head doubtingly, and
then, taking three or four strides across the room, his hands well
down in his nether pockets, relieves himself of his positive
opinion.
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