The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-04-14
For tho NationaI Era.
THE MADIAI AND THE SLAVES.

In one of the Southern States, a few weeks
ago, small party sat down to supper, when
one Of the ladies related to the company the
case Of the Madiai, which now seems to be at
tracing the attention of Christendom.
About half the number of persons present
were Ant-Slavery, the other half Pro-Slavery.
All seemed to receive the account with deep
feeling and part with high indignation, as
the following colloquy literally gven) will
show;
Pro-Slauery. "Do you say those people were
charged with no offence but reading the Bible,
and, in consequence of that, leaving the Romish
Church?
Anti Stavery do.
Pro. Those people ought to DO burnt
Anti. Ought to be burnt?
Pro Yes, those who imprison people for
reading the Bible ought to be burnt.
Anti But remember it is not the people, but
the lap, that imprsons them.
Pro. Then the lap ought to be burnt; and
il was there would burn it.
Anti But recolect we have the same law
here.
Pro. What do you say?
Anti. say we have the same iaD hers-a
law that forbids part of our population to
read the Bible"
NOC anOtuef worn WIS SpOkeu
After retiring from the table, another Pro-Sla-
very member of the company broke the very
embarrassing silence, by saying "Well, that
is most abominable law; and the truth is il
owned slaves would teach them to read the
Bible in defiance of law"
II may not be amiss to remark, that many
of the most jealous advocates of slavery may be
found among those who do not own slaves
who never owned one--and who have not the
most remote hope of ever owning one. This
may be seen wherever slavery il seen.
II is peculiar feature, which think is not
represented in II. b. Stoves admirable incOm-
parable, and almost faultless daguerreotype.
1t has been thought by many an inexplica-
BILE mystery, that men and women, not inter-
ested TO the value of farthing in slave prop
erty, should be among the blindcst, maddest
devotees of the spirit of slavery. 1t is not mere
ly that they would fiatter slave power--it is o
stronger motive, more deeply hidden in the Be-
cret windings Of the unregenerate human heart,
and is probably this: that being restrained
from owning slaves only by the want Of pecu-
mary means, they look upon shareholders as q
privileged class entirely distinct from and far
above themselves, and are only able to endure
their own humiliating position by their COM
paratve elevation above the poor Pariahs, SO
far below them
The curse of caste doubtless exists wherever
sin exists, but nowhere with greater virulence
than here, with those who love to degrade the
degraded, and Cypress the oppressed to whom
free negro is an object of aversion; a cult.
waited slave an object Of hate; and generous
master, or conscientious mistress, an object Of
vituperative calumny. II were to DO wished
that H. B. S. may yet hold up q mirror before
this class, and show them
That hideous thing, naked human heart"
1t was an error to speak Of Life among the
Lowlyn as daguerreotype II is full-length
portrait not quite az large as life; like most
other portraits little f1atsered; the complex
ion not quite 80 dark, and the features not quite
80 horrid, as they will appear when stripped Of
its "silyer yeilD Slavery stands in the light of
eternity, before the Great White Throne, con-
trasted with the Holiness that "sitteth there
on
But it is an unrvalled portrait, which the
sunlight of truth is transferring to millions of
human minds. Will the children forget little
Eyaf Eva can never die Her thin, slight,
delicate fingers will crown many brow with
the can of liberty, instead of the frail perishing
flowers she twined for her dear old friend.
Eliza Harris will carry many child across
the Ohio, besides her own little Harry. Even
poor Classy will extricate many young crea-
ture besides Emeline. The noble heart Of
George Shelby will throb in many 9 young
breast, and his vow be repeated, and his deed
emulated The amiable generosity OF st. Clare.
with the conscientious energy Of Cousin Ophe-
LA, will blend together in the heart Of many 81
Southern man and many Southern woman,
enabling them TO "do the work assigned
them by the Spirit of Love. And troop after
troop Of Topsys will 60 forth TO SOW and cult
yats the seed Of truth in Africas luxurant soil.
II was not TO be expected that Satan would
suffer such q book to pass without persecution
and prosecution. 1t is amusing TO see the At
tacks of the press, falling like bird-shot on the
back Of On elephant-the noble creature re-
naming unconscious, and everybody running
70 SO what the boys are shooting at.
Tho book is read in the South. In some
eases il 10 kept locked up, but, like the Mad'ai
the moro II 10 locked up the louder 1t preacnes'
Leaving American slavery out OF the question,
leaving out OF the question oppression In all It's
varied forms save one, who can calculate the
value OF this book in Catholic Europe, where
the Bible is To the masnex IA fountain sealed