ldly to the conquest, sounding their voices in the halls of
Congress, appealing to human and divine power to protect their nonsense,
and bidding defiance to our constitutional rights, Our slaves are our
property, protected by the law of God-by that inspired and superhuman
wisdom that founded our great and glorious constitution. Yes, sir!
it was an institution entailed upon us by our forefathers, and a wise
providence has provided proper laws by which we shall protect and see
these poor miserable devils of helpless slaves, that can't take care of
themselves, straight through."

"But how does this affect you and the Federal Government?" inquired the
Captain.

"Why, sir, most directly!" replied Master George, screwing his mouth and
giving his head a very learned attitude. "Directly, sir!--the Federal
Government is acquiescing in every abolition scheme that is put forward
by that intriguing Northern compact for the establishment of new
governments in the territories. She is granting unconstitutional
privileges to designing politicians, whose chief aim is to uproot our
domestic institution and destroy the allegiance of the slave to his
master, by which the slaves would be cast upon the world unprotected,
and we disarmed of power to protect them. Ah! sir, I tell you, of all
fruits of the imagination that would be the most damnable, and the slave
would be the sufferer. It would be worse for him, poor fellow; it would
be an abuse of human power without precedent. So far as political power
is concerned, we are nearly disarmed. The influx of population finds
its way into the opened avenues of the North and West. And with opinions
predisposed against our institutions, and the contaminating influence
standing ready with open arms to embrace the great current, what can we
expect? It's the increasing power made by foreign influx that's giving
tone to our government. If our Southern Convention stand firm we are
saved; but I'm fearful there's too many doubtful shadows in it that
won't stand to the gun. That's what's always played the devil with us,"
said George, striking his hand upon the table. "There's no limitation to
their interpositions, and their resolves, and their adjournments; which
don't come up to my principles of making the issue, and standing to the
question with our coffins on our backs. These condescensions of thought
and feeling arise from the misconceived notions of a few, who are always
ready to join, but never willi