Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-06-22

ence OF Brush It0erty across the Atlantic
When we stand in need ofyour British inter
ference upon the subject of our political rela
tons, we will call upon you.
We speak thus plain because American
slavery is subject of your deliberations.
There was Tennessee lawyer who ha
been reduced from wealth and an ervab't
> resentation, to absolute Indulgence. His family
had been accustomed to the enjoyments ofth'
Injuries which are generally in company wit
wealth and unsuled character. The shame
full habit of intemperance had effected this de
plorabe state ofpoverty. His family had al
ready suffered too much for further indepen
den;e of mien. The high and erect spirit o
himself and wife were humbled. Necessit,
drove them to the employment of means BY
which to subsist, that would havebeen spurneC
by the proud and lofty gentleman which he
was offorrner days.
Seated in an humble cottage, charitable
domicil, provided by the hand of pity, he cast
his once bright and intelligent,but now bloated
and blood shotten eyes about him; his heart
was almost bursting within his wretche6 no.
som. The wife who had been taken from the
luxurious walks oflife, the companion of his
youth and happy snl les, now the wretched
participant of his woes and degradation was
buslly engaged in serving up tie last meal of
meat of which they were possessed. Three
tile urchns were gambolling rpon the green
S ward before their humble hut, another, an in.
FAINT some FIVE weeks old, was reposing on its
little bed,unconscious of the troubled emotions
which were almost bursting the hearts of those
upon whom its destiny depended. The wife
was seen to lift her snow white apron and
wipe the silent tear from her cheek, but not a
murmer of reproach was heard to fall from her
lips against hun whom she loved better than
her own soul
The very springs of peace were broken up
the smiles of cheerful friends had ceased to
enter on their hearts and make them truly
glad. A silent lntermixture of grief portrayed
itself in every hinglabout them, even the faith
tul watch dog had lost his lively bark, and
joined IN sorrow 'Di'h tho rest Demon had
entered there and left the impress of his hand
upon every face and every thing which re-
manned in this hopeless place.
His friends had made advances for the sun.
port ofhimself wife and little ones, until their
patience became threadbare and refused all
further assistance. Driven TO his wit, by this
sad situation, his heart full, almost to bursting.
ne studied much and labored hard for some
new thought by which the means could be
procured on which the wife of his bosom, and
the suffering offspring of their mutual love
could be saved from hungry wretchedness.-
AT length happy thought, (alas, what want
will do,l came to his relief and answered well
the end, TO save his wretched family from i'm
mediate want.
There was yet one friend, he thought, upon
whom he had called before in time ofneeG,and
had not called in vain-he was rich; his name
before had often procured him the means of
subsistence, out he already had paid too much
for his Incorporate friend and refused all fur
Their aid. What now to do our lawyer was
not long at fault
Our neIghbor says he, just over the way has
bacon, which he will sell on time, if will give
him sure guarantee of future payment. NV
course you see is destined to prove starving
one, unless l receive some relieffrom you. He
then produced blank piece of paper and hell
it out before his friend. You sec, says he,that
this piece ofpaper is wholly blank. His friend
replied in the affirmative. My family have
not the food whereon to live another day. and
they must not and shall not starve. 1t is true
am about to commit fraud, but necessity
is the first law of nature ; it must be obeyed.
and youmy friend will have to aid me in this
foul act, or me and mine must starye. Speak
out, says his friend, and tell me how can
save you without detriment to myself your
wants In this shall be supplied.
On this small bit Of paper would have Won |
write your name, above which will write nv |
own; there is no note, no obligation on which |
to hold you liable, still it will afford me the
assistance OF obtaining from our neighbor,who
has money and makes it his only God, the
meat on which me and mine can live another
year. dis neighbor at once signed his name
to the blank piece ofpaper, as the lawyer re-
quested, wiling friend, inasmuch as he was
not to be the looser by it.
The lawyer, whose want and indulgence had
reduced HIM SO low, that he could laugh at
" the sanctiication of Fraud" chucking TO
himself retiaced his footsteps home, with the
means OF immediate relief. He filed out a
note above his own and neighbors name, and
upon IT procured from the worshiper of gold,
the all important bacon.
This note at last fell due and on the very
daytae miser proceeded to the security for the
money. lie knew the lawyer could not dis
charge the debt Upon its presentation our
llendly security refused to pay either interest
OF principal and replied that he had not signed
the note and could not be made to pay it, there
beng claw either human or Divine which
will compel man to do that which he has
never undertaken to do.
What sir, says the miser, is this not your
name ! and did you not sign it?
Q yes, that is my name and signed ii. but
t was to a blank piece of paper, on which
- l.