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"A Dialogue, Between Two Southern Gentlemen And A Negro," Part 2
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62 | Col. Duke. -- But, Major, in the courses of my intellectual investigation, I was observing that there was a vast difference between voluntary and involuntary servitude. That, as my Lord Bacon observes upon the nature of a forced action, as it crosses the will. -- Why, Major, it must counteract all independent movements, as a matter of course and produce an automatic state of existence either in White or Black. | |
63 | Major Bell. -- I must refer you to Bob. He has studied philosophy, I tell you, Col. Reid and Lecke, and Stewart and Brown and Bacon, he devoured them. He occupied my extensive Library, to wait the approach of visitors, conduct them to seats, and hear their best conversation, and learned his manners, and acquired his knowledge from such intercourse. | |
64 | Col. Duke. -- I shall admit of no such reference, you ought to be ashamed of yourself, Major. Shame on yourself, thus to neglect your collegiate studies. | |
65 | Major Bell. -- To convince you, Colonel. I will examine him a little, for your entertainment. I rest a moment or two, Col. | |
66 | Col. Duke. -- I will examine him myself, Major. Come hither, Bob. Your master informs me you are a very attentive observer affairs, and understand philosophy. Tell me, now, what do you understand by intellectual Philosophy. | |
67 | Bob. -- Sir, Master, Col. Duke, philosophy is wisdom, philos sophos , lover of wisdom. Intellectual profundity, or acquaintance with the nature of the operations of the mind as by its laws. | |
68 | Col. Duke. -- Ha, ha, ha. Where does the intellect reside? Whence its activity, and vitality, and so forth? | |
69 | Bob. -- No, and so forth, with the negro, if you please, Master, Col. Duke. The strict philosophy, Master Dudley, told me as I was lifting up a subject, but I must never disclose it. | |
70 | Col. Duke. -- Who do you prefer as Intellectual Philosophers, Bob? | |
71 | Bob. -- Master Duke, I have no choice, I am fond of all, but Dugald Stuart, master John thought was the most interesting. -- There where he lectures on the "Power of Association," I have studied him by hours, and have felt his power in tracing every memorial of some departed friend, as I have liked the remnants of mortality. | |
72 | Col. Duke. -- That will do, Bob, and nothing further with you on this subject, or any other. | |
73 | Major Bell. -- Are you not satisfied of his capacity, Col.? He has the most incontestable evidence of ability on other subjects. | |
74 | Col. Duke. -- But I forbear. I did not to touch the key stone of the arch. There it remains in my cranium, as placed President Dwight, and I shall admit no innovations on the good old ways of Intellectual Philosophy, as established by the School. | |
75 | Major Bell. -- The Baconian Philosophy is the true system, Col., and Bob can shoulder more Bacon than any other Negro of his age in Alabama, and I shall give him a long job I promise you, for he has had a fine holiday, I tell you. | |
76 | Col. Duke. -- Well, well, Major Bell, labor que voluptas, and | |
77 |
"He is a Freemen whom the truth makes free, | |
78 | is the motto of a paper published in New Orleans, and of my Plantation. Intellectual thraldom in either variety of the human species is dreadful, and those who seek to disenthral the unfortunates are worthy of a Niche in the Temple of Fame, far beyond Wilberforce and Clarkson. | |
79 | Major Bell. -- We must not forget Mr. Clay's Charles. What monument could be reared more to the honor of that illustrious Colozinationist than to educate his boy for his master's sake. | |
80 | Col. Duke. -- Yes, Major, to be the means of honoring so distinguished a Patriot, would give me great pleasure, to awaken in one iota an inquiry for human woe, "to delve in miseries mine for gems of deepest hue," to ascend the Pisgah and see the promised land of intellectual clearness and symmetry. -- "Oh, it is a consummation devoutly to be wished." | |
81 | Major Bell. -- Yes, Col.; "One clear idea awakened in the mind by memory's magic lets in all the rest," only give it fair play, and how soon the mental optics are purified. | |
82 | Col. Duke. -- I am happy in this interview with my old friend, Major Bell, and only regret that I am unable to inform you what has been done by Dr. Brigham. Dr. Woodward, Dr. Ray, Dr. Coventry, Dr. White, Dr. Macdonald, or Dr. Nelson, and others, for the alleviation of human suffering, and refer you to the American Journal of Insanity, and bid you Farewell. | |
83 | Major Bell. -- This incidental conversation reminds me of my Tecumseh's pieces, and I must detain you a moment to hear what comes from the land of Edward Miller, rest and bless him. You will delay your departure, will you not Col.? | |
84 | Col. Duke. -- Most certainly, Major Bell I am fond of recitation, and as friendship is the wine of life, believe me if I forget the cordial of your hospitality while life continues. | |
85 | Major Bell.-- Tecumseh, arrange yourself, and speak the piece for Col. Duke, are he returns home. | |
86 | Tecumseh Humboldt. -- | |
87 |
1. I've seen, in twilight's pensive hour, |