ider that God permitted slavery when he made
laws for the master and the slave, therefore I am justified in holding
slaves. In the times of our Saviour, when slavery existed in its worst
form, it was regarded as one of the conditions of human society; it is
evident Abolition was not shadowed forth by Christ or his apostles. 'Do
unto all men as ye would have them do unto you,' is a general command,
inducing charity and kindness among all classes of men; and does not
authorize interference with the established customs of society. If,
according to this precept of Christ, I am obliged to manumit my slaves, you
are equally forced to purchase them. If I were a slave, I would have my
master free me; if you were a slave, and your owner would not give you
freedom, you would have some rich man to buy you. From the early ages of
the world, there existed the poor and the rich, the master and the slave.

"It would be far better for the Southern slaves, if our institution, as
regards them, were left to 'gradual mitigation and decay, which time _may_
bring about. The course of the Abolitionists, while it does nothing to
destroy this institution, greatly adds to its hardships.' Tell me that
'man-stealing' is a sin, and I will agree with you, and will insist that
the Abolitionists are guilty of it. In my opinion, those who consider
slavery a sin, challenge the truth of the Bible.

"Besides, Abel," continued Arthur, "what right have you to interfere? Your
Northern States abolished slavery when it was their interest to do so: let
us do the same. In the meantime, consider the condition of these dirty
vagabonds, these free blacks, who are begging from me every time I go into
the street. I met one the other day, who had a most lamentable state of
things to report. He had rheumatism, and a cough, and he spit blood, and he
had no tobacco, and he was hungry, and he had the toothache. I gave him
twenty-five cents as a sort of panacea, and advised him to travel South and
get a good master. He took the money, but not the advice."

"But, Arthur, the danger of insurrection; I should think it would interfere
greatly with your comfort."

"We do not fear it," said Arthur. "Mobs of any kind are rare in the
Southern country. We are not (in spite of the bad qualities ascribed to us
by the Abolitionists) a fussy people. Sometimes, when an Abolitionist comes
along, we have a little fun with him, the negroes enjoying it exceedingly.
Slaveholders, as a gene