The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-06-22

sesses tne same elements OF prosperity, as thai
OF America will not maintain that it ha.
even the prestige of those magnificent names
which are appended to your famous Declare
| ton of Independence or is strengthened by
| the administrative ability which go eminently
oharacterizes your Executive. Nor will 90 Sc
far as to assert that il is SO loud in proclaim.
| ing the great truth that all men are equal
and a-e entitled therefore to equal rights OF
| citizenship. ! only wish to Impress upon you
| what believe TO be the general opinion of civ
| ilized Europe; and that is, that your Republic
| s inconsistent. We at least have been honest
and given substantial proof that we believed
| in the truths of the doctrine of tho universal
| right of every man to equal privileges, poti-
cal and personal. You are rware that one
of the frs. acts of the Provisional Govern.
| ment, which hos since been ratified by the ma
ton, was TO decree the emaaeipction Of tle
slaves in our colonies. Now, 50 long as you,
| in your country hold millions of men in shame.
| fal bondage, your republicanism is mere de-
lusion for it covers enc of the foulest despot-
lens that ever disgraced society"
Leonard had WINGED more than once during
the delivery of this brief address, for he had
an instructive perception of the point towards
| which it was eliminating. His countenance
now became of deep scarlet hue, and he
really felt relieved that the sensation which the
| speakers observations had created, left him a
| momentary space to recover his equanimity,
and for the flush on his cheek to subside
"Sir," he replied, 81 do no. deny the exist
ence of Slavery with us as being a great evil,
social and political Bat it has arisen under
the pressure of peculiar circumstances, and is
not to be got rid of so easily as is generally
supposed. | will confess the fact, that am,
| virtually, STAKEHOLDER. My ancestors were
Shareholders. My plantations in South Caro-
| lima are cultivated by slaves, only. These I'M
| fortunate beings have property value, apart
from that of the lands | own; yet have no
kind of power to relinquish my right of prop
erty in them, for there are heavy mortgages on
both the lands and the slaves, and until they
are paid off, | must remain--in SO far as any
power of mine to emancipate is concerned
wholly at the mercy of my creditors. | would
not venture to defend the institution; | would
only seek to extenuate those who are in a po-
sition similar to my own"
"But, pardon me, Monsieur Wrayn retorted
his antagonist "society at large regards this
question altogether apart from individual con-
siderstions. 1t is to be judged Of, and Europe
does judge of it, upon the broadcast grounds.
If your citizens possess, you maintain, so much
more real liberty, in all respects than We do,
surely it lies in their power to do as we have
done, or, at least to determine by what means
this slavery in their midst is to be got rid Of
| do not make it q reproach upon you person
ally, but upon your country-upon your re-
public; and we always feel that American cit
liens who travel, stand, with reference to the
institutions of their country, and to the great
principle asserted when their Republic was
established, in very false, and permit me to
add, in by no means an enviable position"
q am obliged to acknowledge that you are
correct sir" answered Leonard the blood
rushing into his cheek again.
"Indeed Monsieur" pursued his tormentor
evidently resolved to follow up his advsn-
tagc, the less an American traveller dilates
upon the superiority of the institutions of his
country over those of others, the less will he
expose himself to be reproached for permitting
the existence of what must be regarded as a
national crime, though | know it is alleged
that slavery is only sectional. If admitted to
be sectional, it proves that the minority rule,
and therefore that the citizens Of the freest
and most glorious Republic in the world arc
living under huge despotism. If it be nation
al, then the sin is all the greater, and the n.y.
pocrisy moro fisgrant, of asserting liberty and
equal rights as the basis Of your system of self
government. l. for one, am willing to believe
it to be only sectional but, then, Monsieur,
what becomes of your argument respecting the
greater freedom of your citizens, and of their
power to govern themselves
The argument might have been pursued fur
Their, for it was growing in interest had it not
been suddenly brought to a close 10y the ap-
pearance of Mildred, who, laying her hand on
Leonard's arm, attracted his attention. Every
one made way for the beautiful American girl
who said to her brother, in low voice, trem-
bling with emotion and terror
I'd / I'd of
Her brother at once saw that something had
occurred to disturb her. for her countenance
indicated much distress of mind. He therefore
slightly bowed to bis antagonist, intimating
that be hoped to have another opportunity of
discussing the question more at length, and
withdrew with Mildred to another part of the
saloon.
Chow beautiful she is /" was the exclama-
ton which rose from group to group, as the
handsome pair moved through the brilliantly
lighted apartments to q convenient recess where
there was q vacant seat.
Mildred, dear Mildred, what has happen
ed?" asked Leonard, as soon Gs they were out
of carshot of the company.
~ ha 20 seen him here, Leonard" was the
hasty reply, uttered in q voice of anguish, and
accompanied by hurried but anxious glance
in the direction of the passing groups.
MARX Avoling!n calculated Leonard. elm
possible. You must be mistaken"
ooh Leonard sobbed she, chow could |
be deceived? Let us leave the room, pray, lest
he should see us"
did he not perceive you, then, Mildred?"
No! was chatting with the Princess Ma
thilde about her cousin and his extraordinary
adventures, when heard his name announced,
and presently Jaw him enter. took the op-
portunity of the Princess's attention being di-
verified to the incident, to slip away to where
saw you standing But do not let US remain,
Leonard, beg"
Dear Mildred answered Leonard, afec-
ton tely pressing her hand, Mr.. Avelng has
no authority over you nor, so long as live,
shall he ever acquire any, with my consent"
But, Leonard, dear Leonard, he has power
over you," replied Mildred.
Z" Not in this country, Mildred, to the extent
that would render his power dangerous to your
personal happiness or safety. | have never yet
evaded meeting him, under whatever circum-
stances, and shall not shun him now. Take
my arm, Mildred, and we will rejoin the COM
pany"
Leonard, if you love me as a sister, if you
have any respect for my feelings, | beseech you
not to expose me to the opportunities of that
unfeelipg, unpr!ncipled man. You know it was
against my most urgent entreaties YOU intro
duced me into the fashionable world of Paris
and | now entreat you to conduct me home
and leave me hereafter to enjoy solitude and
my own reflections"
The poor girls manner was SO earnest, that
Leonard could not refuse her principal request
Besides, he feared the consequences of excite
ment, and possibly a scandal in public compa-
ny. He therefore gently assisted her to rise,
and, taking her arm in his, prepared to lead
her away They were, however, compelled to
nass through the main body OF the company