Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-11-29

mo on Saturday, nnd with q low Courtesy 1"e
humble stranger withdrew from the apartment.
Soon after, Mrs. Landon also took leave, pom
dering deeply on the inconsistency of character
which could induce her friend to expend her
time and money in vain attempt to alter the con-
di,ion Of those who needed not her interference,
and were entirely beyond her control, while sho
did not hesitate to Cypress and grind down those
whose poverty compelled them to submit 20 her
exactions.
Mrs. Landon was much interested in the apPea-
rance Of Helen Osborne, and sho determined to
visit and if she found her deserving, to oxert her.
self to procure a situation for her, better suited
to Iler youth and apparent geneness than that Oh
fered by Mrs. Moroland. Unexpected circum-
stances however compelled her to leave tho city,
and when she returned, she found the poor girl
already established in the family of her friend.
and ossduousy performing the various duties i'm
posed upon her by tina: lady. Mrs. Moreland,
absorbed in her philanthropic schemes for the ab-
clifton Of slavery, had no timo to attend to tho
comforts Of her dependents, and she did not note
the pae chcok and labored breathing OF the deli
cate and oyerworked creature who was literally
toiling herself to death in her service. More than
once Mrs. Landon demonstrated with her and en-
deavored to awaken her to a sense OF her mus
tice; but she resented her remarks as an unwar-
rantabe interference, and would not or could not
sec the suffering their carelcssness accustomed to
her poor dependent. Mr.. Moreland was an lndo-
len, man. and provided his home was always
comfortab bic land his income not exceeded, he nov
or iuterfored with the arrangements of tho fam-
". He did not partako Of his wifos enthusiasm
ia tho abolition cause, but it did not infringe
on his comfort he did not except to it. OF course
it was not to be expected that he would q We him.
self any trouble 70 improve the condition OF his
children's governcss.
Ono evening Mrs Morcland gave large and
brillian, party. Hcon had been busily engaged
for several days i'll preparing for it, and when
after all other tolls over, she was summon
Cd 10 assist Mrs. More'and in dressing. she was al
most ready to sink with fatigue. Poor giri. sho
had boon tciderly nurtured, and the labor she
was compelled to perform was fast undermining
a constitution naturally fragile and delicate--
As soon as Mrs. Moreland's toilet was completed
she retired to her humble bed, hoping that rest
and qIiet would bring relief to hcr aching
head and throbbing pulse.
Among the guests assembled in Mrs. More
lands splendid drawing rooms was IN English
man, an elderly man, and one Of very proposes
ing appearance. He had brought letters OF intro
duction to some Of the most respectable merchants
in Philadelphia, and had received 50 much attcn-
ton and kindness to impress hmwi very ia
vorable sentiments Of tho inhabitants Of that city.
Mrs. Moreland who fond of strangers, exert
cd horsof to entertain him. She enlarged with
moro than her usual animation on the horrors OF
slavery, and warmly congratulated Mr.. Stanley
q
all froo. He acknowledged the compliment
bat added
Il have always supposed that tho slaves IN A.
marica were we'll treated and that their condition
in many respects moro comfortable than that
of tho laboring classes in England, indeed, in
any part Of Europe
sAh, YOU have never been in slave State, Mr..
S:anleyl
No madam. | have boon in this country only
short time. | came in search of some
dear relatives, of whom have not yet been able
TO discover any traces.
Then, my dear sir, you can form no just con-
ception of tho horrors of slavery
Have YOU ever witnessed any of them your
self, Mrs. Moreand!' asked venerable looking
man, who had Iis.onod in silence TO the foregoing
conversation
why no, DOCTOR answered the lady somewhat
cmbarrassod Il cannot say that have actually
witnessed thcm, but can have no doubt of their
existence
Tint injustice and cruelty is frequently COM
mltted,' said DR.. Cleveland, is very possible: but
do not think the slaves in the south gencr-
ally more oppressed shan the working classes IN
the free States. In the course of my profession
al duties, have visited ali descriptions Of Persons
and have seen moro than one instance OF per-
sons who had spent the best part of thoir lives in
servitude, who, when age or sickness rendered
them incapable of further usefulness, were turn
ed on, perhaps with their wages unpaid, to starve
or depend on tho charities Of the community.
An DR.. Cleveland you are prejudiced. You
arc yourself if mistake not a native Of q slave
State
Il am a Virginian, madam, but think am
not prejudiccd. l regret in common with every
truo American, the introduction Of slavery into
the country, but cannot think that the violent
measures proposed by those who would abolish
it, can have any othor tendency than to increase
the evils they profess to cure, and to bring ruin
and confusion to our common country. The stale
maxim that charity begins at home. is think a
good maxim to act upon. Let those whose feel
ings interested for tho oppressed see that they
promote to the utmost of their ability, the happi
ness and comfort of those who are dependent on
them. When they have performed this duty and
not till then. can they with propriety, endeavor
TO influence the conduct of Others
Perhaps Mrs. Moreland felt the justice of the
good old man's rema ks for she did not repIy,