The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1861-03-19
4 DREAM.
Exodus IL, 30

~ ~'
Whether the following was waking or
sleeping dream, do not affirm. Rut so II
was: after reading the account of the death
OF the first born IN Egypt aud the Iamcuta-
ton that followed, was led to reflect that
the hr>t-oorn IN any community are about one
sixth OF the whole population; and about one
sixth ot the whole population OF the who.e
United States are slaves. Nhlc pursuing
these med ta!IonS, / dreamed that an Angel
was commissioned to take all the first bonn
among The whites, IN all the northern States
aua tTaa mute them III single night INTO
slaves, precisely like those now owned III the
S'uiL. Ihe slaves oi Ire south were trans
formed INTO Intelligent and happy ilccmcn,
and caiiIed I" a distant and hcalthlul country
whele they cllpled all the blessings which
science, religion aud liberty could IeStow.
The place Of each slave ihus removed from
the South, was supplied toy one made just like
him out Of the tirst-bom Of the North. And
! lh"ughCln my dream that the number cX-
actiy agreed, 50 that every southern slave was
removed, and every first bonn among The
whites Of the north was made q slave; aud
tn" irans'nulatlon was SO perfect both ~ body
and mind that the southern Slave ioldes and
overscers were entirely ignorant of tie change.
All the CONSCIOUSNESS aad remembrance OF
former existence and experience was blottcd
out iom the mIn Of the fist born and their
souls were thoIoughI! lmbucd with the
thoughts, !ceuns~, and habits of the slaves
whose place thy occupied; sc that they were
Just as contcu'ed and happy As the slaves ad
been before th'ln, and lu't rs sNiIiiuI ana able
to nci'"fih ih'T f.'lcrt'o tasks so mat III
a. respects l"ef cs"iac''' 'Hd p.'Nl'IH were
the same rs Nc'e the characters ana prospects
"i 'hrF ll'o, ,c's,"'S' vi course U'' Nou'L
tclEalnci leiIec'N lg"nlant oi al that nap
Pencd. Bn' the north the north Nhen
the next morning arose. there was "lncn'a'
ton and Voc IN a their U"rdcIs. lh're was
'"iy great cry that rose up even to heaven;
'ur ih,re was Lot house where some one was
not gone. And while with g'eat 'Gl,cl'ude
"'"ry one was inqnlrnG OF hle n''ghbof iof
the lost enid III. 'oat paIeut-the lost wile
'-ihe Io,' h"'hand--ihc Anger lew over tue
Iaud ~ though tie an and eIcd III myste,
iiou, aud stating Whisper which was heatd
~ every car ana penetrated every hcar''
~ our hiet bonn are slaves III The south! Your
hist born aie slaves IN lie south! oni INST
born are slaves IN the south" y. The nn'
earthly smick which / heard IN III! dream
wlc9 that annuucIatlon was made through
the land can never forge, ana the l'np'es'
sion which It made upon my mind can new
cr cra'e. The thongHt passed through my
SOU like an electric shock--ihS IS Just Ike
the shrek OF despair which Will be uttered
whcu Christ at the Judgment day shall say
TO those on bis left hand depart accursed IN
to everlasting fires prepared for the devil and
his angels. Some | thought tainted outright.
Some tore thclr hair for anguish and all were
frantic with grief, except such as were struck
i, dumb with excess | sorrow. Before this DIS
NAL commotion OF the people ha! time to sub
side at all, another voice was heard III the
same mysterious yet audible whisper: y our
first born will be restored when slavery Is
, abolished in The south. Your iilst bonn will
be restored when slavery is abolished IN the
south! Your firsl-bom will bc restored when
slavery is abolished in the south. this
voice thought produced instant and univcr
. sal silence. All started 10 their feet and
t i upward TO listen. And when tho cry
was 'cpeated the thitd time ms tie first mad
/, teen, those WHO had been dumb with sorrow
before, gave shrek at the return Of hope,
aud TIC distracted multitude seemed TO re-
/, lcye tic, burieued hearts in groans and all
. sent forth flood Of tears. There was little
), hope. lust enough to open the flood gates OF