not take place among the slaves; but their masters have impressed upon their minds se forcibly the fact, that the United States Government is pledged to put them down, in case' they should attempt any such movement, that they have no heart to contend against such fearful odds; and yet the slaveholder lives in constant dread of such an event.[1]
The rustling of
" the lightest leaf,
That quivers to the passing breeze,"
fills his timid soul with visions of flowing blood and burning dwellings; and as the loud thunder of heaven rolls over his head, and the vivid lightning flashes across his pale face, straightway his imagination conjures up terrible scenes of the loud roaring of an enemy's cannon, and the fierce yells of an infuriated slave population, rushing to vengeance.[2] "There is no doubt but this would be the case, if it were not for the Northern people, who are ready, as I have been often told, to shoot us down, if we attempt to rise and obtain our freedom. I believe that if the slaves could do as they wish, they would throw off their heavy yoke immediately, by rising against their masters; but ten millions of Northern people stand with their feet on
- ↑ In proof of this, I would state that during my residence at the South, a whole town was once thrown into an uprear by my entering a slave hut, about Christmas time, and talking and praying with the inmates about an hour. i was told that it would not be safe for me to remain in the town over night. C. S.
- ↑ While at the South, a gentleman came one day to a friend of mine, and in a very excited manner said to him, "Why, are you not afraid to have that man about you? Do you not fear that your house will be burned? I cannot sleep nights lest the slaves should vise and burn all before them." C. S.
