"Stop one moment, my philosophic friend," the deacon interposes,
earnestly. "Upon that you northerners who come out here to sustain
the cause of slavery for the south, all make fools of yourselves.
This continual reasoning upon Bible philosophy has lost its life,
funeral dirges have been played over it, the instruments are worn
out. And yet, the subject of the philosophy lives,--he belies it with
his physical vigour and moral action. We doubt the sincerity of
northerners; we have reasons for so doing; they know little of the
negro, and care less. Instead of assisting southerners who are
inclined to do justice to the wretch-to be his friend-to improve his
condition-to protect him against a tyrant's wrong, you bring us into
contempt by your proclaiming virtue over the vice we acknowledge
belongs to the institution. We know its defects-we fear them; but,
in the name of heaven, do not defend them at the cost of virtue,
truth, honesty. Do not debase us by proclaiming its glories over our
heads;-do not take advantage of us by attempting to make wrong
right." The deacon's feelings have become earnest; his face glows
with animation.
Mr. Scranton seems discomfited. "That's just like all you
southerners: you never appreciate anything we do for you. What is
the good of our love, if you always doubt it?"
"Such love!" says the deacon, with a sarcastic curl on his lip.
"It's cotton-bag love, as full of self as a pressed bale-"
"But, deacon; you're getting up on the question."
"Up as high as northern sincerity is low. Nothing personal," is the
cool rejoinder.
Mr. Scranton inquires very seriously-wishing it particularly to be
understood that he is not a fighting-man-if Deacon Rosebrook
considers all northerners white-washed, ready to deceive through the
dim shadows of self. The deacon's frank and manly opinion of
northern editors and preachers disturbs Scranton's serious
philosophy. "Cotton-bag love!" there's something in it, and contempt
at the bottom, he declares within himself. And he gives a serious
look, as much as to say-"go on."
"I do! He who maketh right, what those most interested in know to be
wrong, cherishes a bad motive. When a philosopher teaches doctrines
that become doubtful in their ultraness, the weakness carries the
insincerity,--the effort becomes stagnant. Never sell yourself to any
class of evils for popularity's sake. If you attempt it you mistake
the end, and sell yourself to the obscurity of a political
trickster, flatttered by a few, believed by none."
"Deacon! a little more moderate. Give us credit for the good we do.
Don't get excited, don't. These are ticklish times, and we
northerners are quick to observe-"
"Yes, when it will turn a penny on a nigger or a bale of cotton."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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