The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-03
VOL. VII.
WASHINGTON. ID. c.
For the National Era
rco,yRIoHr SECURED BY rnr AurHoR-l
MARX SUTHERLAND:
powKR AND PRINcIPLE
CHAP. IV-Continued.

n ~ =" -
ny EMMA d. 4. N. soUTHwoRrH.
CHAP Iv-COntinued.
A, hour after the end Of this conversation
uarL Sutherland was seated in the library
;.na,;eutly waiting the entsaRca q, his sneie
III whom he had at last succeeded in aP
"o;n,;nO An interview He was anxious, rest.
go and unable to occupy himself with any.
,h;nc during the few moments which seemed
anas before the planter should enter. He tum'
bIsd over the books, rumpled the papers shift
al his position many times, started up and
naced the floor, looked out Of all the windows
:, turn and finally went to the door to listen,
and reached it Just as it was swung open in
n. face and old Clement Sutherland entered
The nlanter walked to the centre of the room
and threw himself into his leather-covered
chair at his writing table, saying, in curt
voice go
@WeI, sir, what is your business with me u
Startled by the unusual sternness of his man
nsr Mark Sutherland turned and looked at
him iuquiringy The planters countenance
wore an aspect of severity that ut once told his
nephew that from some cause or by some
means he had been led to suspect the nature OF
the communication the latter was about to
make him.
"Wl you oblige me, sir by opening your
business at once, as my time Is somewhat valu
abe!" said Clement Sutherland looking at his
watch.
The young man bowed drew q chair to the
opposite side of the table took seat excused
himself and deprecated his unce's displeasure
for the painful subject he was about to intro.
duce.
Here Clement Sutherland waved his hand
impatiently, begging that he would cut his in
PRODUCTION as short as possible.
Then the young man commenced to relate
the history OF his life and experiences for the
last preceding three months he told how he
had been induced to attend the Ant-Slavery
meetings, first merely in the spirit of bravado
how, in hearing the subject freely and ably
discussed the truth had forced an entrance
into his soul.
Here Clement Sutherland wheeled his chair
around so that his back was presented to the
light and his face cast into deep shadow, and
from this instant to the end of the conversation
Mark Sutherland could not watch the express
sion of his countenance to Judge his mental
comments.
But he went on to relate how long and
stoutly he had struggled against the truth
how at last it had overcome him; how his
pride his selfshness, his interests his passions
and affectons--all had yielded, or must yield
10 any conflict between them and his convic-
tons Of duty 1t would have softened heart
less hardened and selfish than that of Clement
Sutherland, to have heard the youth speak Of
his severe moral conflicts; but the planter only
exclaimed, sternly-
Facts, ar! facts! Let US have no senti-
meuts, no moral or metaphysical disquisitions
but actual facts! What do you intend TO dog
Mark Sutherland answered, calmly
To free every negro on my plantation, and
at my own expense to send every one, who Is
willing to CO. to Liberia"
A scornful, most insulting laugh was the only
comment of the planter.
Perhaps many, even among philanthroplsts,
would consider that all the claims of justice
were satisfied by emancpating the negroes
but when remember that have been brought
up in the enjoyment Of every advantage and
luxury of wealth, and educated in the most
costly and even extravagant manner, and all
at the sole expense of these poor creatures, who
have at most only food and raiment and humble
shelter in recompense for their labor, feel as
if the account were not balanced between us
until, after freeing them, | had done ali in my
power to place them in a situation Of happier
circumstances for their present, and more hope
ful probabilities for their future, lives"
The young man here paused, and, as the
planter did not answer, silence ensued between
them for several minutes, during which the
latter passed his hand slowly back and forth
over his grizzly bearded chin At length Mark
Sutherland said, in q troubled voice
81 do not wish to conceal from you, sir, the
fact that my greatest trial in this affair has
been connected with the thought of India"
Again he paused for reply or a comment.
But the planter only caressed his bristlng
chin, while his cOuntenance was inscrutable in
the deep shadow.
The youth spoke again:
" 1t has been subject of deep regret and
anxiety to me, to feel that can no longer hope
10 offer India fortune or q position equal to
her just expectations. For myself, | have no
doubts or fears for the future. feel within
me power to struggle and to conquer. feel
assured that within very few years my posi-
ton will be a higher one than it is now, q
than it would be were to retain my present
unrighteous wealth. | believe that nv India
will have no cause to blush for her husband
or you for your soninlawo
Still the old man did not make single re.
mark, and 80 deep remained his face in the
shadow, that the youth could not read his
thoughts. 1t was rather trying to continue
speaking under these circumstances but there
was no alternative He concluded by saying
Although have long enjoyed the pleasure
OF your appreciation in my addresses to your
daughter-my own dear cousin--I thought il
proper to take the very earliest opportunity Of
informing you of my purposes, and the conse.
quent change they must make in my fortune
and circumstances. And now, sir, have told
you all, and wait in much anxiety to hear
what you have to say"
What do you wish me to say drily in
CURED the planter
Just what is on your mind, my uncle"
n,mph. this is rather sudden, sir. II is
"ue. that few words dropped by Mr.. Boiling,
Snu nexpectedly overheard by myself in some
uosfee prepared me for the strange communi-
oauon you have just made Still It is sudden,
"r 1t is sudden! What may inquire, did
you rrpeet me to sayi How did you anticipate
'hat ! should meet this ~
Mark Sutherland hesitated to reply but got
up and walked the floor in an exceedingly
troubled manner
grim smile sat upon the face of the plant
er. At last he sad
You doubtless, and with much Justice. ex.
pected me to withdraw my consent to the mar
rage OF yourself and my daughter. Did you
mott Reply, If you please"
S'r--my dear uncle!D said Mark, coming
forward again, 81 had my doubts and misgv,
'ngs abou, that. 1t would have been unjust to
you 70 have seriously entertained them and it
would be unjust to myself to say thss did 80"
4, lou were right, sir !" said the planter, with
sne same ghastly, ironicsl smile . you were
nght-i shall not interfere. Having once
sanction sanctioned your addresses 70 my daughter,
ana,' not now oppose them. Miss Sutherland
moi age refer You solely 10 her. r. under
, .ue new aspect Of a6airs, she Is willing that
sa's engagement between you and herself shall
''and' and that the Preparations Tor marriage