Turning to his brethren, he makes one of his very best
apologies, and continues-"Dis ar poposition I'se gwine to put! And
dat is, dat all ye broderin ere present put up somefin ob he arnin,
and wid dat somefin, and what mas'r gib, too, we sarve dat geman
what preach the gospel dat do 'em good wid 'e freedom for sef and
family. Tain't right in de sight ob de Lor, nohow, to have preacher
slave and congration free: I tell ye dat, my broderin, tain't!" With
these sage remarks, Daddy Daniel concluded his proposition, leaned
his body forward, spread his hands, and, his wrinkled face filled
with comicality, waited the unanimous response which sounded forth
in rapturous medley. Each one was to put in his mite, the preacher
was to have a fund made up for him, which was to be placed in the
hands of missus, and when sufficiently large (master will add his
mite) be handed over for the freedom of the clergyman and his
family. But missus, ever generous and watchful of their interests,
had learned their intentions, and forestalled their kindness by
herself setting them free, and leaving it to their own discretion to
go where they will. There were many good men at the south-men whose
care of their slaves constituted a bond of good faith; but they
failed to carry out means for protecting the slave against the
mendacity of the tyrant. None more than Harry had felt how
implicated was the state for giving great power to tyrant
democracy-that democracy giving him no common right under the laws
of the land, unless, indeed, he could change his skin.
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