Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-12-27
,laves Taking Care Of Themselves.

to emancipate their elaves, is "they
are unfit for freedom, and would not
know how to take care of themselves.
They are better of in slavery than If
set free" Many of the Northern
States have similar feelings, but the
following incident from tho experience
of Mr.. Nelson, the distinguished author
of the s'Causc and Cure Of In6delity,"
is instructive on this point
Although himself . stakeholder for
many years, he could not feel that
slavery was right, and when the colon
ization scheme was started, no entered
tearti y into it, hoping it would do
away with the evil entirely /; but soon
satisfied it would never accomplish
that for his country, no turned his at
tention to the duty Of immediate eman-
cipation F.; and after long and prayerful
consideration Of the subjsct, he con-
suited with his wife about the matter,
and they decided to sst their negroes
FREQ at once. So calling them togeth-
or he told them Of his convictions of
the sin Of slavery, and that he had de-
cided to give them free papers. Their
Joy was unb 1unded, and he was over
whelmed with vociferous ordinations
Of "tank you, Nasal"
Old Isaac, as he was called was very
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 it over, and everything he UNDER
took seemed to 60 wrong. So Doctor
Nelson and his wife conscientiously
concluded that it would not be right to
set Isaac adrift, for he never could take
care Of himself, aad would be in dan
ger Of starving.
Soon af,er, the doctor began to
reason with his neighbors on the sin of
slaveholding and the duty of emanci-
patton, appealing to his own example
as evidence of his sincerity. They
replied that he had not liberated all as
Isaac was still . slave.
DR.. Nelson said that it was very
true, and that for conscientious reasons
he did not think it would be right to
turn of such stupid fellow, and he
retained him out Of pity for him.
"That is just the way with our ne
groes," they replied. "They cannot
take care of themselves, so we keep
them for their own good. "
DR.. Nelson was in quandary. He
aw that he must liberate Isaac at all
events, if no would have any influence
with others in tho matter. So be went
him as he sat in tho kitchen one day
With the same leaden look upon his
face, seeming moro asleep than awake.
"Isaac," said DR.. N,
eyes, massa" drawled Isaac.
81 have been thinking of giving you
free papers," Isaac looked up won
deringly.) ssBut am afraid if do,
you viii suffer-" Isaac opened his eyes
wider than before. Il don't think
you can take care of yourself; have
no idea you CAM Isaac locked
anxious. /" But I have made up my
mind to set you free" ~
"Oh, tank you, tank you, masss. u
"And Isaac, it you get hungry, just
remember there is enough to eat in my
kitchen, and come and help yourself. d
Isaac nosooLer realized that his mas.
ter was in earnest than his face lighted
up, and he burst out" Oh tank you,
tank you masss! Freedom is de sweet.
est thing in do wide world. massa
He took his papers and left, and
for some months DR.. Nelson heard
nothing of him. But one day as he wai
travelling he saw some one approach
ing on horseback. Az he drew neal
the ivory began to shine, the eyes roll
ei about in rather an unusual manner,
and who should tho stranger be but
oil Isaac, not the slave, but Isaac the
freeman, in o new suit of clothes, and
with q face no longer stupid, but full
Of the consciousness and importance OF
his new life! He was quite overjoyed
at meeting his old master:
"And how do you like freedom,
Isaac?
"Oh, masea, freedom de sweetest
ting in de wide world! sweetest ting
in de world, massa
"But what have you been doing,
Isaac ?" Is
ooh, me been to work ; me got for.
ty dollars in me pocket; ne got dis
brack pony; tell what tits, freedom is
de sweetest ting in de world, Nasal"
Ard DR.. Nelson said he never after
ward doubted that any slaves with the
motives Of freedom to inspire them to
work, could "take care Of themselves, "