The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-12-28
Manchester, Dec. 90, 1843.
ours truly,

DEAR SlSTER:-At the commencement
Of certain chapter in Eugene Aram there
is description of an enchanted land, where
spring reigns perpetual, and the inhabitants
revel in life of continual pleasure but
underneath it are the cayerns Of the damned
and ever and anon their bowls of despair
reach the upper regions, mingling with the
songs and revelry-a fearful contrast! Such
is this country. Here you find the people
very charming in their manners, intelligent,
hospiable, noble spirited, generous, and
endowed with the most exquisite sensbilty,
and life seems to pass as gaily as summer
day; but to the listening ear there comes
ever and anon, from the lower regions of
slavery, groan of deep despair minging
with the revelry; and, though all unheeded
by those accustomed TO such sounds, speaking
volumes 10 heart made Of penetrable stuff.
1t seems to me that nature formed slave
holder for the express purpose Of showing
how Inconsistent being she could make.
He is, perchance, a devoted, sincere chris
'ian, yet he Expresses his brother christian,
and even strives TO keep him in ignorance
Of the God that made him he is generous,
yet never bestows farthiDg on the needy
kind and affecionate, and can Grain show
ers OF well commanded tears" at the bare
recital OF a tale of sorrow, yet can view
with a fearless eye such Wrelchedness as
poet never feigned or fancy dreamed. PEG.
pie usually form their opinions of the slaves
from slight acquaintance and from the re-
ports of their enemies. A lady might live
at the South forever and if she made 40
effort TO become acquainted with The m per-
sonally, she would know little about them.
They seldom speak in the presence of
white person except when spoken to, and
then always in a subdued tone, and never,
of course, presume TO express their real
thoughts and feelings. Being happy tenn
pered people, they generally appear cheerful,
and how are we to judge Of their heart
burnngs and inward grief2 Nothing is
more common than for the whites 10 60
into their cabins and talk with then, but
they are suspicious Of white face, and
ever on their guard, lest they should be.
tray some symptom Of reasonable discomfort.
| have seen among them instances of as
faithful love, as lervent pietY, as heartfelt
gratitude, and as devoted paternal affection
as ever adorned human nature. Some oil
the slaves on this plantation can read, and
many of them are christians; but their re-
ligion is mingled with much Imagination,
and supersttious belief in dreams, omens,
and special revelations. They are very
poe'ical, and compose rude hymns which
they sing very devou'ly. One of them
gave me the following accom-, Of her CON
version: Il saw the heavens open, and
heard the voice Of the Almighty saying,
Welcome, welcome! have crown for
you that has been hid under curses from
the foundation of the world, and there is
another for Billy Cher husband) if he will
come after it," Among the house servants
there is one called Betty, who is treated
with much respect by the family on account
of her piety and intelligence, and she has
discovered from some conversations she
has overheard that | do not approve Of
slavery. They are not slow in discovering
a friend, and Betty's influence has made
them less suspicious Of me than Of other
white people.
Last Monday there was religious meet
ing, and The family came home in fine
spirits, accompanied by two or three car
rages, and several gentlemen on horse
back. Among others was the minister,
very pious, devoted christian In the course
OF the conversation Mr.. e. mentioned that
one Of his most valuable servants was ill,
and spoke of his resignation and patience
but the christian minister made no move
10 go and speak comfort 10 his dying broth
er. After short fine stole away from
the company 10 visit the cabin of the sick
man. There on his bed of straw lay poor
Giles, in great distress; his old grey headed
father standing by him, holding his hand
atiectionately, while the tears rolled down
his cheeks, and his sisters, kind bat unskill.
full nurses, ministering to his wants with
the most anxious attention. Sometimes
between his groans he whispered the name
of Jesus, and once he said, "Jesus suffered
more than this for me, but he rose again,
and when fall asleep in death shall rise
in his arms-he wont forsake me-" never
felt my own unworthiness so deeply as at
that moment, and blushed with shame for
tha raca IN which I b1Ioar 80, -.