s not my country," said Mr. Hubbard, "I assure you. I lay no claims to
that part of the United States where slavery is allowed."

"Then if it is not your country, for what reason do you concern yourself so
much about its affairs?"

"Because," replied Mr. Hubbard, "every individual has the right to judge
for himself, of his own, and of other countries."

"No, not without proper information," said Arthur. "And as you have now
graduated and intend to be a lawyer, I trust you will have consideration
enough for the profession, not to advance opinions until you are
sufficiently informed to enable you to do so justly. Every country must
have its poor people; you have yours at the North, for I see them--we have
ours; yours are white, ours are black. I say yours are white; I should
except your free blacks, who are the most miserable class of human beings I
ever saw. They are indolent, reckless, and impertinent. The poorer classes
of society, are proverbially improvident--and yours, in sickness, and in
old age, are often victims of want and suffering. Ours in such
circumstances, are kindly cared for, and are never considered a burden;
our laws are, generally speaking, humane and faithfully administered. We
have enactments which not only protect their lives, but which compel their
owners to be moderate in working them, and to ensure them proper care as
regards their food."

"But," said Mr. Hubbard, "you have other laws, police-laws, which deprive
them of the most innocent recreations, such as are not only necessary for
their happiness, but also for their health."

"And if such laws do exist," said Arthur, "where is the cause? You may
trace it to the interference of meddling, and unprincipled men. They excite
the minds of the slaves, and render these laws necessary for the very
protection of our lives. But without this interference, there would be no
such necessity. In this Walsh's Appeal, which is now open before me, you
will find, where Abel left off reading, these remarks, which show that not
only the health and comfort of the slaves, but also their feelings, are
greatly considered. 'The master who would deprive his negro of his
property--the product of his poultry-house or his little garden; who would
force him to work on holidays, or at night; who would deny him common
recreations, or leave him without shelter and provision, in his old age,
would incur the aversion of the community, and raise obstacles to the
advancement o