ulfilling their destiny by fighting against Providence to help
perpetuate slavery till the Most High shall disclose his will concerning
it."

"And helped the South," said Mr. North, "perpetuate violations of the
marriage relation, and to separate families, and to countenance all the
sins in slavery!"

"Yes, to some degree," said I; "for should we treat them with common
candor and truthfulness, make them feel that we appreciate the
perplexities of the subject, admit for once, and act upon it, that they
are better and more competent 'friends of the slave' than we, it would
be the surest way to put a stop to every evil in slavery. Now they have
little power over a certain class of men among them, who, when measures
are proposed for the relief of the slaves, raise the cry that they are
abolitionists, and excite an odium which deters them from doing many
things which would otherwise be attempted."

"They might all certainly join," said Mr. North, "one would think, to
prevent the violation of the marriage contract by the slaves, and the
sundering of the marriage tie by the auctioneer."

"Now," said I, "there are two allegations, and I will answer them. As to
the violation of the marriage covenant by the slaves, are you aware how
many divorces for the same cause are granted in your own state yearly?
You will find, on inquiry, that 'freedom' has nothing to boast of in
this respect. As to the auctioneer, and the separation of the marriage
tie by him, how often do you think that an honest black man, for no
crime, is taken from his wife and sold, or she from him? How often, do
you suppose, are families divided and scattered at the auction-block? If
you will inquire, you will find that the cases are extremely rare; that
in some large districts it has not occurred for several years; and that
in other cases, where it has occurred, regard has been had to the
neighborhood of the purchasers, so that members of the same families
have been within reach of one another. You seem to think that a great
feature, and the most common effect, of slavery is to separate families.
Such is the general belief at the North. Let me remind you that there is
no form or condition of service in the world which has more effect than
slavery to keep families together."

"Well," said Mrs. North, dropping her work in her lap, "I never thought
of that before."

"Why," said I, "where will you find in the Free States husband and wife
and children living toge