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"A Dialogue, Between Two Southern Gentlemen And A Negro," Part 2

From: "A Dialogue, Between Two Southern Gentlemen And A Negro"
Creator: n/a
Date: June 1852
Publication: The Opal
Source: New York State Library

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Page 2:

34  

Bob. -- Master, you have my inclination to the doctrines, all liable to misconstruction like the Constitution of the government. -- I can tell you that Master Jefferson will find his Declaration true. All equal, all equal in the other world. Ha, ha, ha. If the Devil gets us he will equalize us.

35  

Major Bell. -- Ah, you negro, you are funning in serious matters.

36  

Bob. -- Nay, nay, master, let m say that the world will be regenerated by the influence of agencies through all the ramifications of society. Intellectual refinement will prepare the way for the reception of the Lord's commands, and a similitude of correspondence thereunto.

37  

Major Bell. -- Ah, Bob, you are a little inconsistent like the rest of mankind.

38  

Bob. -- If I could raise my voice to such a note of exultation, that it would reach every Log Cabin on the Plantations, I would say, cheer up my black brethren, Humanity and its Creator will so arrange the combinations of society that ere long the peaceful abodes of the Slave will be the resorts of angelic beings.

39  

Major Bell. -- And how are the Selmaians?

40  

Bob. -- Master Coles used to say (on sacrament days) as he was returning home, -- What a shame to the masters that there are so many colored members, who look so nice, with their white turbans and neat dresses, while they are mere spectators to the scenes. Here's for a blessing on Minister Alexander, and his family, as every good negro must wish.

41  

Major Bell. -- Good Christians, Bob, (I dare say.)

42  

Bob. -- "A Guinea does but stamp the rank,
"A man's a man for a' that, for a' that,"

43  

I hope that soon the minds of the slaves will be reached through the medium of the laws that govern intellect; and that they will he controlled by self-government, and that a Jones will be associated with a Pinel, a Murphy with a Brigham, and his co-patriots in profound efforts to alleviate woe, and establish the wavering on the immutability of inwrought principle, which by universality of affinity may render the human race a band of Christian brothers, a company of exalted minds.

44  

Major Bell. -- Have been studying my books! Ha! The pleasures of life's best estate is precautioned like the Iron fruit and flowers of the Mad House at Naples, that seemed to smile on those they imprisoned, and (hereafter) I will learn wisdom from my Bob, and instead of travelling on errands of philanthropy I will commune with the genius of worthies in my Library, perhaps

45  

(Oh they wander wide who roam,
For the joys of life from home,)

46  

become as learned as philanthropic, and as wise as an Alabama Negro. Col. Duke, what say you to Bob.

47  

Col. Duke. -- I greet you to the beautiful springs, sweet flowers and fertile fields of Alabama, Major Bell. Bob, Sir, has certainly improved himself. You must value him highly. Would you like to sell him to me, Major?

48  

Major Bell. -- Not for his weight in Bullion, fresh from the Bank of England, I have instructed him, and during my absence he has kept an acquaintance with the proceedings of the world, and has been perfect master of the premises.

49  

Col. Duke. -- You overrate him, Major Bell. He is an impudent sauce-box, and a good dressing would be of service to him.

50  

Major Bell. -- He is my body servant, and you must retract what you said of him instanter.

51  

Col. Duke. -- With all my heart, Major, but if he was mine, I'd learn him better manners, I promise you.

52  

Major Bell. -- Oh, Col. it is his way. He is pleased thus to interest his old master, and I am happy to encourage him even from my youth.

53  

Col. Duke. -- It is excusable, I confess, Major. What say you to selecting a darkie, educate him at old Yale College, and send him to Monrovia.

54  

Major Bell. -- Too extensive, too dangerous to the south, too inconsistent with the principles of Slavery. Could you find an Alumnus of Yale that would consent to be a Slave?

55  

Col. Duke. -- Why Major, your obtuseness. If we educate him and send him to Africa, he'd be free. It may be.

56  

Slave, cannot breathe in Connecticut,
The moment they touch her soil their shackles fall.

57  

Major Bell. -- You was yourself educated at Old Yale, and I remember the Oration you delivered the on Association of Ideas, that was so highly applauded in the North Church.

58  

Col. Duke. -- And what of that Major? I am a Colozinationist of the Clay principle and if we have to select Charley, I dare say he'd have the Philosophical Oration as a student from Lexington, and be appointed Governor of Monrovia. What say you, Major, will you go me halves in such an adventure? It would gladden my heart, and I am sure it would that of his old master.

59  

Major Bell. -- I will consider the proposed seriously, and will confer with you from Florence and Tuscumbia.

60  

Col. Duke. -- The Negroes in and near Lexington are the best you ever saw; the best behaved, the best bred, more sagacity, more pocket change, more small talk, more native wit than you or I Major.

61  

Major Bell. -- Indeed, I am told the misters and mistresses, as (Mr. Marcus Bull, of Hartford, said,) were the only Slaves Virginia.

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