The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-04-28
Westerly, April 2s, 1853.
keyt TO Uncle Toms Cabin.

indebted for this publication, as our
postmaster has way of tearing the
wrapper from such things. We do not
pretend to dispute his legal right so to
do; but it sometimes makes it rather
inconvenient when we wish to know to
whom we are indebted for such favors.
The work is published by j. P. Jewett
& Co, Boston, and Jewett, Proctor &
Worthington, Cleveland, Ohio, so cents
in paper, or rs cents in muslin.
This Key" by Mrs. Harriet Beech
or Stowe, ,unlocks and presents before the
public some of the dark corners of
slavery. Uncle Toms Cabin is called a
fction-by some, an over-drawn fiction.
The author admits that some of the
characters and groupings are fictitious,
but they are drawn from life and do not
by any means present the darkest
aspect of American Slavery. Here we
have the original facts and documents
upon which the story is founded-dark
and horrible they are too. Never was
the truth of the saying that " truth is
stranger than fiction" more fully verified.
We thought slavery as depicted in Uncle
Toms Cabin dark enough, though we
did not doubt but the facts would sustain
the principal incidents of the story; but
in the Key. are facts showing that " the
one-half had not been told us "
The work commences by furnishing
facts and statements showing that the
principal characters in Uncle Toms
Cabin are not overdrawn. As illustra-
tive of the character Of George Harris
the following extract is given from the
experience Of a fugitive. We com
mend it to the attention of those who
lay the fattering junction to their souls
that the victims of slavery are devoid
Of care and are therefore happy set,
to be envied by many who have the mis-
fortune to be born free. He was en-
ployed till late at night in spinning fax
or rocking the baby, and called at very
early hour in the morning; and ii he
did not start at the first summons, a
cruel chastisement was sure to follow.
He says:
Such horror has seized me, lest |
might not hear the first shrill call, that
have often in dreams fancied | heard
that unwclcOme voice, and have lraped
from my couch and walked through the
house and out of it before awoke.
have gone and called the other ,laves,
in my sleep, and asked them if they did
not hear master call Never, while
! live, will the remembrance df those
long, bitter nights Of fear pass from my
mind.
Even the incarnate fend Legree is
not, as many have endeavored to fatter
themselves, creation of fanciful brain
The legal power of the master amounts
to an absolute despotism of body and
soul, as may be seen by the following
, extract.
Rev. Charles G. Jones, of Georgia, in
addressing masters, tells them that they
have the power to open the kingdom OF
heaven, or to shut it, to their slaves.
The Legrees are not all at the South
Alas, that it should be SO they arc
found everywhere but the difference is
, that in the free States, Legree is re-
, strained by law, while in the slave States
the law makes him an absolute despot
) Even if a man is disposed to give BIZ
y slaves freedom be cannot do so. II
? South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mis-
slsslppi, emanci patton cannot be effecte,
, except by special act Of the Legislator,
: Of the State.
'l The chapter comparing slavery il