The southern press., 1850-11-06
hsa,l For the SotliAerN Psss.
Second Dialogue between MIR. North and
MIR. South, on the Subject Of Settling
the Partnership Accounts. aE W rA3 81
SCENE, MR.. NoRTH's STUDY.
Mr.. North sitting at Table With a Map before

Mr.. NOrth.--What glorious tract! and the
goId-the gold! must have it all, every inch
Of it, that's clear-placers, quartz rocks, dust,
dirt, and ALL And then its position for trade to
India, China and Japan-its fine harbors and
other great natural advantages. It's too good
for that outrageous man-stealer, my PARTNER
have sent for him to talk over the matter again,
and hear him coming. l must creep over him
once more with tho higher law, and the scruple
of conscience. All eonscience---there is no
stock in trade equal to it; its credit is better
than all the capital in the world.
Enter Mr. South, sonaetohat chafed
Why what's the matter, my dear friend! per
ceive you are in passion, as usual. What has
happened now? "' ',"
Mr.. Soulh.-Why, have just been reading
the proceedings of the Abolition, and Wing and
Democratic meetings in your neighborhood, and
they are enough to provoke saint. They call
me man-stealer, dealer in human flesh, and say
my character is infamous all over the world
can't stand il any longer-Pll have nothing more
to do with such people. .,s' ,r..a....s.. ~.
| Mr.. North.-Pooh-rpooh-you should not
mind what they say, for you know, my dear
South, it's all true. If it We're false then indeed
you might complain; or you could recover
damages in an action of slander. AS it is, you
have nothing to do but "grin and bear it," as the
boys say.
Mr.. Soaah-I tell you what, Mr. North, your
mode of treating me is not only unjust, but un-
gentlemanly, and demand satisfaction. You
shall answer for this with your life sir n'2,
Mr.. North.-My dear friend, you know am
princped against fighting duels. l have scru-
pies of conscience on the subject, and always
act according to their dictates.
Mr.. Souh.-Yes-I know-you belong TO
that class of gentry whose conscences don't
prevent them from committing the grossest Of
fences, but who have neither the magnanimity
to apologize, nor the courage to make atonement.
slider my conscience. 1t is noh me tangere, rs
we say at college. But this is not what wished
to see you about 1t is high time this distract
ing question of the division Of our new lands
were settled, and peace and harmony restored
between you and |. You know, my dear and
nestimable friend, that | consider you rs n
brother, and wouldn't quarrel with you on any
account. But you are so unreasonable-why
can't you listen to reason, rs | do!
Mr.. So,Uh-I can't, Mr. NORTH have scru-
pies of conscience, and am governed by the
higher law. ....
Mr.. NorM-Ah, South! that's not fair
Mr.. Somh-What's sauce for the goose is
sauce for the gander
Mr. Norih-Yes-but- -ha-South-
hem-you know that when one man is right, and
another wrong, there is all the difference in the
world between them.
Mr.. Somh-Agreed. But how do you know
that you are right and am wrong.
Mr.. North.-My conscience tells me so.
Mr.. South.--Well, my conscience tells me d-
rectly the contrary-Who is to decide!
| Mr.. Norlh-Why the immutable principles
Of reason and justice-hem-I mean-I mean
the higher law which is-that is to say-what
was l saying? .".. .. u..'
Mr.. South-Faith, I can't tell-not land
believe you are pretty much in the same predic-
ament
Mr.. North-Yes-this comes of resorting to
that profane tribunal, human reason, instead of
appealing to some sublime dogma, which saves
us all the trouble of reasoning and argument
and furnishes an infallibe rule of action, to the
exclusion Of all others--whcther right or wrong
is of no sort of consequence. This is what
call the higher law. '.'.l
Mr.. Souh.-Very well-very well--you know
never interfered with your higher law, oryour
conscientious scruples, until you brought them
to bear upon me, and wanted to take away not
only my lands bnt those who cultivate them.
Mr.. Nor1h.-Ah, South! that is the great end
aim at. Now, my inestimable friend-my
dearest brother-for such consider you-why
don't you let them go! You don't know how
much better off you would be without these
niggers-and how much sounder you would
sleep on the soft pillow of a quiet conscience
Come now, do, my best friend.
Mr.. Soulh.--Well, suppose do what will
become of them, without industry, with fore
sight, without property, and without experience
to guide them, ask again what would become
Of them?
Mr. North.-That's no business Of mine
They might 60 to Guinea or Tophet for aught
care. shall have done my duty, and quieted
my conscientious scruples. am not accounta-
Bile for consequences But you at least would
reap the benefits you can't imagine how much
more prosperous you would be when you get
rid of these caterplars, that devour all your sub
stance. ' ,.-~ '.' p. .r ,'r.."'..'
Mr.. South.-Much obliged to you, Mr.. North.
But as Franklin said, Those that feel can best
Judge" and every man is the best Judge of his
own business. .... ....
Mr.. North.-A most vulgar and pernicious
error, Mr.. South, utterly unworthy the march
of mind and the spirit ofprogress. If every man
is the best Judge Of his own business, why then