How much better the calm and holy silence of the woods and fields, than if the tumultuous passions of men should roll over them!" "But, my dear sir," said he, "I maintain that oppression is inseparable from the holding of a slave.

I insist that this Southern lady, if all her feelings and conduct toward her servants are like her letter, is an exception among her people." "No, Sir," said I, "she is the general rule among all decent people, and there is as much sense of decency and propriety there as with us, as many good people, kind, humane, generous, and it is as rare a thing for a servant to be ill-used there, as for our apprentices, and servants, and even our children.

How kind and good you would be, Sir, if Providence should place a human being under you as his owner, for the mutual good of both of you." "Dear me," said he, "I should try to feel and act just as I suppose those Southerners do who, you say, are fairly represented by this lady's letter about the slave-babe." "Mr.North," said I, "suppose that the State should make you the absolute owner of some of those boys who set fire to the Westboro' and Deer Island institutions.

In consideration of your personal responsibility for them, there is ceded to you all right and title to their services, and absolute control over them, subject, of course, to the laws against misdemeanors and crimes against the person.

My only point is this: Where would be the sinfulness of that relation?
All that would be sinful about it would be in your neglect or violation of your duty as a master." "How glad all this makes me feel," said he, "that I am not troubled with slaves.