A freeman cannot understand why the slave-master's shadow is bigger, to the slave, than the might and majesty of a free state; but when he reflects that the slave knows more about the slavery of his master than he does of the might and majesty of the free state, he has the explanation.

The slave has been all his life learning the power of his master--being trained to dread his approach--and only a few hours learning the power of the state.

The master is to him a stern and flinty reality, but the state is little more than a dream.

He has been accustomed to regard every white man as the friend of his master, and every colored man as more or less under the control of his master's friends--the white people.

It takes stout nerves to stand up, in such circumstances.