Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-07-25
For the National Era.
TO SOUTHERN CHILDREN.

The gifted pen which has given to the world
such lively picture of the woes and wrongs OF
the slave, has likewise drawn the beautiful por-
trait Of two noble and lovely Southern chill
dren; and to this, with one slight exception,
she has drawn no counterpart IL ia to these
warm-hearted, affeotionate, generous little boys
and girls that would now address a few ear
nest, loving words The desire to do go was
occasioned, recently, by reading in an old mum.
Der Of Merry's Museum letter purportipg to
have been written by little girl living among
the mountains Of Virginia, and exulting in the
possession OF q new piano. Says the joyous,
sunny-hearted child, " The piano-my piano
has come. IL is mine-not merely 30 TO call
mine, but mine sure enough. Father says that
If be should break, it could not be taken for
debit While reading this, the thought pain
fully required but men and women may
Probably every child who reads this paper
knows what it is to rejoice in the possession Of
something and can enter into the feelings OF
this little girl. Your opening years are passed
amid scenes OF luxury and indulgence and
hope points TO still brighter future when,
emancipated even from the gentle control Of
loving parents, you viii be free to follow the
dictates Of your matured judgment. You have
become 90 accustomed TO the enjoyment OF
these blessings as to consider them o matter
OF course; and | fear that custom has also
blinded your eyes TO the evil and wrong OF
Withholding them from others equally entitled
10 share them with yourselves. But would
not now appeal 30 much TO a sense Of justice
and conscientious regard 10 right Though
hope my young readers are not insensible to
the claims Of these as to those warm, gushing
sympathies which belong peculiarly to child.
hood.
Imagine al the pleasant prospects that en-
Iven the future removed and yourself reduced
to the condition of the little sable companion
that attends at your command. You hope for
hsppinees and prosperity because you intend 10
use the means which Providence places within
your reach 30 as to secure this result Now,
suppose that you bad not and knew that you
never could have, the slightest control over
your own destiny that you were helpless in
the bands Of man who called you his proper
ty; that you we're exposed to all the vicissi-
tudes which attend the relations Of property
Property, especially in this busy, busting, and
rapidly growing country, is continually chang
ing hands; and when it happens 10 consist Of
living, thinking, feeling creatures, who have,
and have right TO have, equally with our
selves, choice where to live, with whom to be
associated and how TO employ their physical
and mental endowmente, the consequence is
such that IL cannot be contemplated without
horror. IL IL said that word TO the wise is
sufficient ~ and il requires not the WELDON of
sages but the simplicity Of little children, to zee
that we have no right forcibly to hold another
in situation which we would sooner yield up
life than take for ourselves. You may think
that this is subject over which you have very
little control. But, in your treatment Of those
whom Providence has placed in your power,
you can be as kind, gentle, and considerable as
little Eva; and like George you can firmly re-
solve, that when the rolling years shall bring
you to the responsibilities Of manhood, you vill
perperate none Of these wrongs, and that you
will do all in your power TO free your land
from this terrible curse. Win you do IL?
CARRIr