Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-11-29
"TuE SWEETEST THING IN THE
WOKLDsv
rAneodote Of Dr.. Nelson.

Says an exchange The invariable argu.
ment Of Shareholders, when urged to eman-
oipate their slaves, is, They are unfit fol
freedom, and would not know how to take
care of themselves. They are better off in
slavery than if set free" in Many the
Northern states have similar feelings, but
the following incident from the experience
of Mr.. Nelson, the distinguished author Of
| the "Cause and Cure of Infdelity." i:
| instructive on this point.
! Although himself STAKEHOLDER for man7
| years, he could Lot feel that slavery was
| right, and when the colonization scheme
was started, he entered hearth y into il,
| hoping it would do away with the evil
| entirely but soon satisfied il would never
accomplish that for his country, he turned
| his attention to the duty Of immediate
emancipation - and after long and
prayeriul consideration OF the sutjcct, he
| consulted his wife about the matter, and
they decided TO set their negroes free at once.
| So calling them together, he told them OF
his convictions of the sin OF slavery, aud
that he had decided to give them free
papers. Their joy was unbOunded, and he
was overwhelmed with their vociterous
ordinations of Tank you, massa -
stupid careless. indolent fellow, who seldom
did anything right, even when he was told
If sent to the barn to feed the horse, he was
sure to leave the measure where the horse
would kick il over, and everything he IN
dertook seemed to 90 wrong. So DR.. Nj
son and his wife conscientiously concluded
that it would not be right to set Isaac
adriit, for he never could take care Of him
o,A b., 40 g
Soon after, the doctor began to reason with
his neighbors on the sin of slaveholding and
the outy of emancipation, appealing to his
own example as evidence of his sincerity
They replied that he had not liberated all e,
as Isaac was still a slave.
DR.. Nelson said that 1t was very true, aud
that tor CONSCIENTIOUS reasons he did not
think that it would be right TO turn of such
stupid fellow, and he retained him out Of
pity tor him.
- That is just the Case with our negroes,
they replied. "They cannot tako care of
themselves, 50 we keep them for their own
good
DR.. Nelson was in quandary. lie saw
that he must lIberate Isaac at all events, if he
would have any influence with others in the
matter. So he went to him as he sat in the
kitchen one day, with the same leaden look
upon his face, seeming more asleep than
awake. " Isaac" said Dr. n.
Yes, massa," drawled Isaac.
81 have been thinking OF giving you free
papers. Isaac looked up wonderingly But
| AN afraid If do, you will suffer. Isaac
opened his eyes wider than before don't
think you can take care of yourself; | have
no idea you can. Isaac looked anxiousl
But have made up my mind to set you
free -
"Oh, tank you, tank you, massa :"
And, Isaac, if you ever get hungry, just
remember there is enough to eat in my kitch-
en-, and come and help yourself"
Isaac no sooner realized that his master
was in earnest than his face lighted up. and
he burst out =: "Oh tank you, massa Free
dom is the sweetest ting IN de wide world.
massa ~
lie took his papers and left, ana ior some
months DR.. Nelson heard nothing Of him.
But one day as he vas travelling he saw some
one approaching On horseback. As he drew
near, the ''ivory' began to shine, the eyes
rolled about 10 rather an unusual manner
and who should tue stranger be but "Old
Isaac, not the slave, but Isaac the freeman.
in new suit oil clothes, and With a face no
longer stupid, but full Of the consciousness,
and importance, and happiness OF his new
life He was quite oveijoyed at meeting
his old master
''And bow do you like i.eedotn, Isaac 20
"Oh, massa, freedom sweetest ting 10 de
wide world sweetest tin! in de world. mas
sa :"
but what have you been doing, Isaac ?"
"Oh, me been to work me GOT forty dol
lars in me pocket; me own dis brack pony;