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Page 10
Mrs. Stowe was a shrewd Yankee woman, and seeing the difficulties and
embarrassments in which we were involved, and being in need of a
little money, and knowing that we were willing to pay almost any price
for something that would flatter ourselves, and blacken the characters
of Southern people; she wrote her book. We received it with transports
of joy, and cried aloud at the top of our voices, HUZZA FOR MADAM
STOWE, _and her incomparable negro novel_; viz., Uncle Tom's Cabin, or
Life among the Lowly. And so we go, in England and America! This is a
marvelous world, and it is inhabited by a wondrous species of animals,
called man!
The conclusion of the whole matter is, abolitionism is little else at
last, but hypocritical self-righteous phariseism, and Mrs. Stowe wrote
her book to flatter their pride, indulge their whims, tickle their
fancies, and pick their pockets. I have remarked, that this is a
marvelous world, and among the many wondrous things that fall under
our observation, there is nothing more remarkable than Yankee
ingenuity! The Southern people, it is true, receive the proceeds of
the labor of the slaves, but then, they must first expend money in
raising them; feed and clothe them in health, nurse them in sickness,
and provide for them in old age. But Mrs. Stowe without contributing
anything for their support, has made more money out of them within the
last year, than any half dozen sugar planters in the State of
Louisiana! This is truly a wondrous speculation in negroes.
"But all their works they do," (says our Saviour,) "to be seen of
men." "But God shall bring every work into judgment." And if our
motives are selfish, or impure, we incur the risk of falling under the
condemnation of a just and holy God. Too many "make clean the outside
of the cup and platter, but within, they are full of extortion and
excess."
There are a class among the abolition party, whose leading object is
pecuniary gain. With them, "gain is godliness," and their pretended
godliness is all for gain. That is, all is well, if they can make
money; if not, they are off. When English emissaries are sent over to
this country, to lecture on the subject of slavery, they are well paid
for their services, either by the abolition party; or, probably, more
frequently by the English government. In our own country, the editors
of abolition papers, the writers of negro novels and other abolition
productions; together with the numerous agents and other notable
functionaries, that are employed to carry out their diabolical schemes
and machinations; are all well paid for their services. Like the young
lawyer alluded to, in the preceding pages, they receive a "_large
fee_," and can therefore "afford to _lie_." But by far the larger
portion of them are operated on by different feelings, views and
motives. I have already indicated certain motives that prompt the
abolition party to action; but there are yet others, to which I have
but incidentally alluded. Sympathy for the African race with them, is
a mere pretence, or affectation of superior sanctity and philanthropy.
Like the pharisees of old, they are always ready to thank God, that
they are not as other men. I am holier than thou, is their universal
cry to all that dissent from their peculiar views, or take exceptions
to their conduct. Bigots, fools and fanatics of every class, grade and
description, the world over, are guilty of the same; yes, I am holier
than thou, is their universal exclamation.
Every man is conscious that he ought to be a Christian, or at least a
philanthropist; and every man desires to be esteemed such. But as it
does not, in all cases, accord with the interests and inclinations;
or, is otherwise, incompatible with the beastly and sordidly corrupt
natures of a large portion of the human family, to become either
Christians or philanthropists; therefore, they can do no better than
to affect to be either one or the other, or both. Plain, simple,
old-fashioned _Bible Christianity_ is not sufficient for them. It is
too quiet--too lowly and unassuming for them. They would have us
believe, that they are brim full of humanity and benevolence--so full,
that they are constantly running over--surcharged with a
superabundance of kind, generous and sympathetic feeling for their
fellow creatures. They must, at least, make the world around them
believe that they are such. This is their object--this their aim. To
accomplish this, everything is brought into requisition--all their
energies, all their efforts are directed to this end. They wish to
deceive the world, and make the impression on the mind of mankind,
that they are a superior order of beings--better Christians--better
philanthropists--have more humanity--more benevolence, and a greater
regard for the rights of man, than mankind in general. I say their
object is to make the world believe all this. Nothing is found to
answer their purpose so well, in the accomplishment of this object, as
African slavery in the Southern States. They have talked about negro
slavery--negro oppression, and the negroe's woes, until they have
really induced some to believe that they are persons of more than
ordinary benevolence--that they are really humane, generous and just.
But it is mere affectation--it is all hypocrisy. Facts prove it.
England boasts of her philanthropy--talks about American oppression,
and at the same time makes no effort to elevate her own miserable
tenantry, whose conditions are far worse than American slaves. If she
is really philanthropic, why refuse to do any thing for her own
suffering poor throughout her vast dominions? This is proof positive,
that John Bull is an old villain; a rotten, two-faced, bigoted,
meddlesome old hypocrite. If abolitionists in the United States are
really philanthropic, why have they not made some effort to relieve
the suffering poor in their own midst; whose conditions in general,
are far worse than Southern slaves? They have work enough at home, and
it is an old and very true proverb, "that charity begins at home." It
is certainly true, that home is the place where it should begin. What
are they doing for the thousands of ignorant, ill-clad, half starved
free negroes now in their midst? Nothing for either soul or body! They
spurn them from their presence, or trample them under their feet, and
turn around and wipe their mouths, and express the deepest sympathy
for the poor slave in the Southern States; whose conditions are
incomparably better than the free negroes, North! Ah! their benevolent
souls are overflowing with sympathy for Southern slaves, who are
generally well fed, well clothed, content and happy; but the poor,
vicious, degraded and friendless free negroes, North, are left to
shift for themselves. And what are they doing for the suffering poor
of their own color? How many widows that they have defrauded, and
orphans they have robbed, will confront them at the bar of God? I
appeal to those among whom they live; to those who know them best; as
citizens, as neighbors; are they humane, generous and just? Are they
husbands to the widows; and fathers to the fatherless? Do they feed
the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the sick? Are they ever ready
to relieve the poor, the needy and distressed? In every city, village
and neighborhood, throughout the length and breadth of the North,
there are poor, wretched, miserable objects of charity, and here they
have an opportunity to give us practical proof of the sincerity of
their professions; and until they furnish evidence that they are what
they profess to be, we wish them to cease their hypocritical cant
about Southern slavery.
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