|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 15
CHAPTER I.
While I was preparing the following work for the press, a friend
called on me, and with apparent solicitude, inquired, "Which side of
the question are you on, Sir?" I answered him, that I was on the side
of truth, or at least, that I wished to be found on that side. Calling
at a book-store, I purchased a work on slavery, returned immediately
to my room, and was anxiously looking over its pages; a friend tapped
at my door, "Come in, Sir; take a seat." He had scarcely seated
himself, before he inquired, "What book are you reading, Sir?" A work
on slavery, was my answer. "Which side of the question is it on?" It
was but a short time before I purchased two other volumes on the same
subject, and laid them on my table. A gentleman called on business,
and observing the books, inquired what kind of books they were? I
laughingly answered that they were novels. "Why," replied he, "I
thought you did not read novels." I remarked (in substance), that they
were novels on the subject of slavery, and that I had been for some
time engaged in an investigation of the subject, and that it had
produced in my mind a desire to consult some writers on slavery; and
it appeared, that recent writers, preferred that their views upon it,
should appear before the public in a fictitious garb. I have no doubt,
that the first inquiry of most of those into whose hands this volume
may chance to fall, will be, "_Which side of the question is it on?_"
Thus, it appears that the question of African slavery has two sides;
and that either interest, ignorance, or prejudice; or what is worse, a
vain glorious desire on the part of some to be considered the
champions of liberty, the guardians of the rights of man, has arrayed
a large portion of this nation on one side, or the other. I utterly
despair--I have no hope that my labors will meet the approbation of
ultraists, North, or South. But there is yet another class in our
country--a class of persons who are conservative in their views,
honest in their intentions, and patriotic in their feelings; who are
prepared to listen to the voice of reason, and the injunctions,
admonitions and warnings of Divine Revelation. It is to them I appeal.
Thank God, I believe that they constitute a large majority of the
nation.
I have long beheld with regret and astonishment, the efforts that have
been made by a certain class of writers, to disseminate erroneous
views in the Northern section of the United States, with regard to
Southern slavery.[2] The recent publication by Mrs. Stowe, entitled
"Uncle Tom's Cabin," is a work of that class. I have no wish to write
anything harsh or unkind; for however ill-timed, ill-advised, or
ill-judged the work may be, if her object was the alleviation of human
woe, I can but respect the motive that prompted her to write, though I
may differ with her in opinion as to the means most likely to
accomplish the proposed object. The fair authoress may have meant
well. I shall leave that, however, to the "Searcher of all hearts;"
but I frankly confess that I fear that the book will result "in evil,
and only evil." I cannot avoid here, quoting the language that she
puts in the mouth of Chloe, the wife of Uncle Tom, who is the hero of
her tale: "Wal any way, that's wrong about it somewhar, I can't jest
make out whar it is, but thar's wrong somewhar." We all admit that
there are wrongs, it is clear to every one, neither do we differ much
as to what those wrongs are, nor yet as to their causes and effects;
but unfortunately for us, we differ widely, when we undertake to
propose remedies for the evil complained of. We have all need of that
charity "which suffereth long and is kind; that thinketh no evil." It
is as unreasonable and as wicked, to treat each other unkindly,
because we differ in opinion, as it would be to treat each, other
unkindly, because there is a difference in the features of our faces,
and the expression of our countenances. The Author of our existence,
for wise purposes, made us to differ mentally, as well as physically.
The structures of our minds are different. The great Architect
_willed_ that it should be thus; why, we presume not to know, but so
it is. And then moreover, our physical training, mental, moral and
religious culture; together with climate and a variety of other
external and internal causes, have all contributed more or less in
shaping our opinions, and giving a peculiar cast to our minds. Thus it
is, that we are all looking through different glasses, and it is no
wonder that we do not all see objects just alike. Objects must
necessarily present themselves to us, in different hues and colors.
Some are so accustomed to view all objects through a microscope, that
they have no just conception of the real magnitude of any body.
Exaggeration is their _forte_--in this they excel. Their towering
minds soar above common comprehension and common sense, and their
fertile imaginations are ever ready to conjure up spectres, ghosts and
hobgoblins; or otherwise, where others see a mouse, they behold an
elephant; and to their distorted visions, a mole-hill is magnified
into a mountain. We look in vain to such writers for a plain,
unvarnished, common sense statement of facts, for sound arguments, or
logical deductions. Such authors have nothing to do with facts, or
things as they exist among us. Their imaginations are ever ready to
furnish facts, on which to base their preconceived inferences and
conclusions. They were cast in a fictitious mould, and works of
fiction they have read, until their minds can run in no other channel.
Their mental vision seizes an object, and they pursue it with an
enthusiasm that borders on insanity. Onward, and upward their flight;
blind and deaf--utterly insensible to all surrounding objects. The
object of pursuit is their "all in all;" and every thing must be
sacrificed for its attainment. In their view, there is no other object
or interest worthy of a moment's consideration in earth, or heaven.
Their religion too, is of a peculiar cast. They are frequently very
religious in their own way. In their estimation, the very essence of
piety, the sum total of all religion consists in the advancement of
some one benevolent object. Above, beneath, beyond the attainment of
this, there is no religion, no virtue. Every thing must not only be
brought into requisition, in order to its attainment; but the end must
be attained in their own way, and according to their own notions; or
otherwise it might as well be left undone. In nine eases out of ten,
though the object of pursuit is a laudable one, yet so ill-judged and
injudicious are their plans, that if carried out, they will result in
more evil than good. The plainest and most obvious declarations of the
Bible, if they contravene their favorite theories or doctrines, are to
them unmeaning twaddle; though they are always ready to press the good
book into their service, so far as they are able by forced
constructions of detached passages, to give plausibility to their own
visionary opinions and projects.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|