UNCLE TOM'S CABIN

"
v/hat
128 KEY TO UNCLE TOM S CABIN.
public sentiment of slaveryexerts even over
"
We have heard," says Europe,"that
"but what then'* " fearful
the best-constitutedminds.
millions of men are forbidden to read and
Neither Mr. Jones nor
any
other Christian
write in your country."
"
minister would feel it rightthat the We know that," says America;"but
eternal happinessof their own children what isthis outcry about ? "
should be thus placed in the power of any "We have heard," says Europe,"that
man who should have money to pay forthem. Christiangirlsare sold to shame in your
How, then, can theythink it righ that this markets ! "
power be "
givenin the case of their African That isn't quite as it should be," says
"
brother1
America ; but stillwhat isthisexcitement
Does this not show that, even in case of about ? "
the most humane and Christianpeople, "
We hear that three millions of
theoretically believe in the equality of all people can have no your
legalmarriageties,"
soulsbefore God,a constant familiarity with says Europe.
slavery works a practical infidelity on this
"
Certainly true,"returns America
point; and that theygivetheir assent to ; "but you made such an outcry, we
laws which practically declare that the salvationthought
you saw some great crueltygoing
of the servant's soul is of less consequence
on."
than the salvationof the property
"
And you profess to be a free country ! "
relation1
says indignant Europe.
"
Let us not be thoughtinvidiousor uncharitable
Certainly we are the freestand most
in saying țhat where slavery exists
enlightened country in the world," what
there are so many causes necessarily are
you talking about 7 " says America.
uniting corruptpublicsentiment with regard
"
You send your missionaries to Christianize
to the slavețhat the best-constituted us," says Turkey; "and our religion
minds cannot trust themselves in it. In the has abolishedthishorrible system."
northern and free states public sentiment "
You ! you
are all heathen over there,
has been, and is țo this day,fatally infected
business have you to talk?" answers
by the influence of a past and the proximity America.
of a present system of slavery. Hence Many peopleseem really to have thought
the injustice with which the negro in many that nothing but horrible exaggerations of
produced
of our states is treated. Hence, too, system of slavery could have
those apologies slavery, and defences the sensation which has recently been feltin
of it,which issue from Northern presses, all modern Europe. They do not know
and even Northern pulpitsỊf even at the that the thingtheyhave become accustomed
North the remains of slavery
produceto,and handled so freely in every discussion,
such balefuleffectsin corrupting public sentiment,
seems to all other nations the sum and
how much more must this be the essence of villany Ṃodern Europe,opening
case where this institutionis in fullforce! her eyes and looking legaltheory
The whole American nation is,in some of the slavesystem, on the laws and interpretations
sense, under a paralysis of public sentiment
of law which define it, says to
on this subject Ịt was said by a heathen America,in the language of the indignant
writer that the gods gave
us a fearful power Othello, If thou wilt justify a thing like
when theygave us the faculty becomingthis,
accustomed to thingsṬhis power has proved" Never pray
more ; abandon all remorse ;
a fearful one indeed in America. We have On Horror's head horrors accumulate ;
got used to thingswhich mightstirthe dead Do deeds to make heaven weep, allearth amazed ;
in their For graves.
nothing, canst thou to damnation add
When but a small portion of the
Greater than this."
things
dailydone in America has been told in England,
There is an awful state of familiarity with
and France,and Italy,and Germany, evil which the apostle being " dead in
there has been a perfect shriek and outcry trespassesand sins,"where truth has been
of horror. America alone remains cool, resisted, and evil perseveringly defended,
asks, " What is the matter ? "
and the convictionsof conscience stifled, and
Europeanswers back,"Why, we have the voice of God's Holy Spirit bidden to
heard that men are sold like cattlein your depart.There is an awful paralysis of the
country."
moral sense, when deeds unholiest and
"
Of course theyare," says America ; crimes most fearful cease
any longer to affect
the nerve. That paralysis, always a