Opinions may not be wholly reversed; people born and bred under totally different institutions may not, for they cannot wholly, yield their convictions on controverted sectional topics, even when they cherish mutual respect and deference; but, the belief that the North will change its feelings toward the South and its institutions, under a modification of views entirely consistent with independence of judgment and self-respect, and that the South will not be wanting in a corresponding temper, rests on the same conviction as that God does not intend to destroy us by each other's hands, nor to make the life of the two sections weary with perpetual hatred and strife." * * * * * "Our form of government, Mr.North," said I, "is the very best on earth if it goes well, and the worst if it goes ill.

We have no standing army to fight for an administration as for a throne or dynasty; so that if a State secedes, the question is how to coerce that people, if it be best to attempt it.

Citizens do not like to march against their brethren.
Think of our taking up arms against our correspondents; against people that have gone from our churches and settled in that State; against cousins, and brothers-in-law, and people who lived or did business under the same roofs with us." "It is awkward, indeed," said Mr.North, "especially if they simply withdraw and hold the fortifications of the general government, in their own territory, to keep the government from destroying their lives." "Why, yes," said Mrs.North, "it would be simple in them, after seceding, to suffer themselves to be bombarded.

But have they any right to secede ?" "As to that," said Mr.North, "my mind has been much exercised of late with this thought: I have always advocated the right of the negroes to make insurrection, or to flee from oppression.

But now their masters complain of being oppressed by the North.