single fermenting idea. And when Vesey was thereupon asked
"What can we do?" he knew by that token that the sharp point of his
spear had pierced the slavish apathy of ages of oppression, and that
thenceforth light would find its red and revolutionary way to the
imprisoned minds within. To the query "What can we do?" his invariable
response was, "Go and buy a spelling book and read the fable of Hercules
and the Wagoner." They were to look for Hercules in their own stout
arms and backs, and not in the clouds, to brace their iron shoulders
against the wheels of adversity and oppression, and to learn that
self-help was ever the best prayer.

At other times, in order to familiarize the blacks, I suppose, with the
notion of equality, and to heighten probably at the same time his
influence over them, he would select a moment when some of them were
within earshot, to enter into conversation with certain white men, whose
characters he had studied for his purpose, and during the shuttle-cock
and battledore of words which was sure to follow, would deftly let fly
some bold remark on the subject of slavery. "He would go so far," on
such occasions it was said, "that had not his declarations in such
situations been clearly proved, they would scarcely have been credited."
Such action was daring almost to rashness, but in it is also apparent
the deep method of a clever and calculating mind.

The sundry religious classes or congregations with Negro leaders or local
preachers, into which were formed the Negro members of the various
churches of Charleston, furnished Vesey with the first rudiments of an
organization, and at the same time with a singularly safe medium for
conducting his underground agitation. It was customary, at that time,
for these Negro congregations to meet for purposes of worship entirely
free from the presence of the whites. Such meetings were afterward
forbidden to be held except in the presence of at least one representative
of the dominant race. But during the three or four years prior to the year
1822, they certainly offered Denmark Vesey regular, easy and safe
opportunities for preaching his gospel of liberty and hate. And we are
left in no doubt whatever in regard to the uses to which he put those
gatherings of blacks.

Like many of his race he possessed the gift of gab, as the silver in the
tongue and the gold in the full or thick-lipped mouth are oftentimes
contemptuously characterized. And like many of his