Cotton is king;
and cotton can rule, if it will. Cotton can make friendship strong,
and political power great.
"There's my cousin John, ye see; he lives north, but is married to a
woman south. He got her with seventeen mules and twenty-three
niggers. And there's brother Jake's daughter was married to a
planter out south what owns lots o' niggers. And there's good old
uncle Richard; he traded a long time with down south folks, made
heaps a money tradin niggers in a sly way, and never heard a word
said about slavery not being right, that he did'nt get into a deuce
of a fuss, and feel like fightin? Two of Simon Wattler's gals were
married down south, and all the family connections became down-south
in principle. And here's Judge Brooks out here, the very best
down-south Judge on the bench; he come from cousin Ephraim's
neighbourhood, down east. It's just this way things is snarled up
a'tween us and them ar' fellers down New England way. It keeps up
the strength of our peculiar institution, though. And southern
Editors! just look at them; why, Lord love yer soul! two thirds on'
em are imported from down-north way; and they make the very best
southern-principled men. I thought of that last night, when Mr.
Jones with the horns looked as if he would go with him. But, I'll
have that preachin vagrant, I'll have him!" says Mr. M'Fadden,
emphatically, seeming much more at rest about his departing affairs.
As the shadows of death fade from his sight into their proper
distance, worldly figures and property justice resume their wonted
possession of his thoughts.
Pages:
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496