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Show 216 A DIA [,OGUE. find that every one of these books treats Slavery as a curse, and describes it not as a good but an evil, of which each man loads the guilt upon his forefathers or his neighbors . .Jli·. F. Granted they call it a curse, but assuredly they bring forward a dcf~Jnce. .Jirs. G. Yes, they defcnu the Constitution; they defend the rights of the south; they advocate Colonization, or point out the enors of Abolitionists, but what one in word or in effect advocates the principles of human Slavery ? 'l'hc truth is, brother, the system has the litcratmc of the world against it; and the south ought to sec in this reading age an infallible sign that the days of its cherished institutions are nwnbered. Docs thee not perceive that every novel and every poem carries to the parlor, or, if it please thee, to the theatre, an inUucncc which will eventually re-act on the ballot-box. F1·anlc. Do you mean, mother, to inchtdc in your remarks the discomscs of Reverend Divines upon the l'atriarchal Institution ? Mrs. G. I cannot except even tbeso ; fur they ac· knowledge it an evil, though they co:> tend its exists by divine ordination, j ust as I''"·'' ,,sscrt Originru Sin A DIALOGUE. 217 to be tbc offopring of Eternal Decrees; but they no more convince the Slaveholder, that be loves his bondman as himself, than they convict him of the guilt of Adam's transgrrssion. Air. F. ·what do you say to Webster's great speech on the compromise measure? Mrs. G. (Pleasantly.) Is not the moral view of a question, about as far as a woman's instinct ought to go? J.Ir. F. Ob, no; go on, your strictures are quite amusing. J.Irs. G. Well, then, since we have taken the position of a reviewer, we must confess that the last effort of the great Daniel appears to us to be on an Act of Congress. J.Ir. D. And at the Presidential chair. Mrs. G. (Continuing.) It did not touch the merits of sla,·cry at all. Webster knew the feelings of the constituents too well to attempt such a task. He therefore skilfully diverted their attention from his real issue, to the glorious Union, and its danger from agitators, and be thus carried with him the sympathies of many honest haters ·of oppression. Mr. F. Well, sister, I do not know but yon will 10 |