TO GOV. M'DUFFIE.
'The patriarchal institution of slavery.'—Gov. M'Duffie.
King of Carolina!—hail!
Last champion of Oppression's battle!
Lord of rice-tierce and cotton-bale!
Of sugar-box and human cattle!
Around thy temples, green and dark,
Thy own tobacco-wreath reposes—
Thyself, a brother Patriarch
Of Isaac, Abraham, and Moses!
Why not?—Their household rule is thine—
Like theirs, thy bondmen feel its rigor;
And thine, perchance, as concubine,
Some swarthy prototype of Hagar.
Why not?—Like those good men of old,
The priesthood is thy chosen station;
Like them thou payest thy rites to gold—
And Aaron's calf of Nullification.
