"I mean in regard to this talk of secession of the Southern States." I was studying this man.

What was he doing here in our quiet country community?
What was his errand?
What business had a julep-drinking, horse-riding parson speaking in a Virginia pulpit where only the gospel was known, and that from exponents worth the name?
"You are from Washington ?" I said at length.
He nodded.
"The country is going into deep water one way or the other," said I.
"Virginia is going to divide on slavery.

It is not for me, nor for any of us, to hasten that time.

Trouble will come fast enough without our help." "I infer you did not wholly approve of my little effort the other evening.

I was simply looking at the matter from a logical standpoint.
It is perfectly clear that the old world must have cotton, that the Southern States must supply that cotton, and that slavery alone makes cotton possible for the world.