Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1879-02-27
TALK ABOUT BOOKS.
UNCLE TOMS CABIN.

! ed; the dove and olive branch on its cover, II
suggests no sentimental dream, no transcen'
dental idyl Of fictitious isorrow and romantic
passion. 1t is the cry Of an oppressed race to
God and all humanity for liberty and mercy.
Its pages have upon them the fires Of justice,
that burn forever, and the tears of anguish
that are inefraceable. 1t will live forever.
Nearly thirty years ago it blazed the way for
the reign of freedom that was something
more than poetical lie, when freedoms ad-
vocates suffered for opinions sake. Who
among us that was alive and able to think
when "Uncle Toms Cabin" first appeared
cannot remember the tremendous revolution
in sentiment it created everywhere. 1t made
hearts ache, for only in anguish Ia liberty
born to nations. Since then the curse of sla'
very has been lifted from the land in blood
| and tears; and still the book is bought and
read as no other book ever was. And no Won
der. 1t carries the gospel of humanity, and
as long as the human heart can throb with
sympathy, "Uncle Toms Cabin will hold an
honored place in literature.
And what Is it? What was the story that so
moved the hearts Of men? George Sand an
swered that question: 1.-The life and death of
little child and Of negro slave-that is the
whole book! This negro and this child are two
saints of heaven. The affection that unites
them, the respect of these two perfect ones
for each other, is the only love-story, the only
passion Of the drama"
1t has been translated into twenty langua.
ges.l 1T carried the story Of the damned spot"
Of slavery, that stained the name of the Union
and made the flag of freedom a Haunting lie,
to all the nations of the earth: and one and
all gave tears and prayers to unhappy Africa,
who for 50 long ''lay bound and bleeding ut
the foot of civilized and christianized human
ity, imploring compassion in vain."
The continual and great wonder that grows
upon one now, on re-reading it's inspired
pages, is that 80 dreadful curse could exist
in a civilized and christianized land up to so
recent time.
1t is not often given to one person to do as
much for humanity as Harriet Beecher Stowe
did in writing this book. 1t required heroism,
as we'll as genius, to do it. People who took
the side of justice and humanity in those days
had to count the cost and pay the price of their
devotion. It was written when abolitionists
were ''unfashionable persons, and few in
number" as the agitators Of great reforms
and revolutions always are. For many years
Mrs. Stowe shared the apathy of many other
humane and good people of the north. 1t was,
she says, a sort of general impression upon
her mind that the subject OF slavery was so
dark and painful one, 50 involved In difficult
ty and Obscurity, so utterly beyond human
hope or help, that it was Of no use to read, or
think, or distress oneself about it. It was
universally conceded q dangerous subject to
investigate, and delicate one to agitate.
In the introduction of the recent editi0n,we
learn how she wrote this sad history of Life
Among the Lowly:''
The first part of the book committed to writing
was the death of Uncle Tom. This scene presented
itself almost tangible vision to her mind. while
sitting at the communion table in the little church at
Brunswick, Maine. She was perfectly overcome by
it. and could scarcely restrain the convuson OF
and sobbngs that shook her frame. She hastened
home and wrote it, and her husband being away, she
read it her two of and twelve Of aU
The little fellows broke out into convusions Of weep
ing, Of them saying, "Oh, MAMMA slavery IL tho
most cursed thing in the world" Prom that time the
story less be sAid to have been composed by
than imposed upon her. Scenes, incidents, converse
tions, rushed upon her with vividness and mportu-
nifty that would not b denied. The book insisted
upon getting itself into being, and would take no
denial. Altar tho two or three first chapters were
written she wrote to Dr. Bailey Of the National
of Washington, D. c., that she WAS planning . story
that might possibly run through several numbers Of
the Era. In reply she received an instant applca-
ton for it, and began Immediately to send of weekly
nstalments. She was then in the midst Of heavy
domestic cares, with young infant, with party Of
pupils in her family to whom she was impartng daily
lessons with her own children, and with unframed
servants requiring constant supervson but the story
was 90 much moro intense reality to her than any
other earthly thing that the weekly nstament never
failed It there in her mind day and night wait
ing to be written, and requiring but . few moments
bring it into visible characters. The weekly
ber always read to the family circle before it
~l1+ +hAh holA
interest in the progress Of the story.
In shaping her material, the author had but ono
purpose to show the institution of slavery truly, Just
as it existed. she had visited Kentucky had formed
generous. and yet slaveholders She had heard their
views and appreciated their situation; she felt that
justice required that their difficulties should be recoR-
nzed, and their viz tues acknowledged. 1t was her
object to show that the evils Of slavery the inher
ent evils of bad system," and not always the fault
Of those who had become involved in it, and ts
actual administrators.
As the story progressed, = young publisher, ]. p.
Jewett of Boston, set his eye upon it, and made
lures for the publication Of it in book FORM to which the
author consented: Afsr while she had letter from
him expressing his fears that she making the story
too long for q one volume publication He reminded
her that it was an unpopular subject and that people
would not willingly hear much of it; that one short
volume might possibly SELL but If it grew to two it
might prove fatal obstacle to its sucoe. Mn. Stowe
replied that she did make the story that the story
made ITSELF and she could not stop till it done.
4ue L0Ak pUkBu6U 1UC3So0eO mummy 70
theast till with the death Of Uncle Tom it seemed e.
the vital force had Left her. feeling of profound
discouragement came over her. Would anybody read
it? Would anybody listen? Would this appeal. into
which she had put heart, soul, mind and strength,
which she had written with her hearts blood-would
it, too 60 for nothing 10 many prayers and groans
and of these poor suffering souls had already
gone?::
It when the last proof sheet had been sent
oce that Mrs. Stowe, aone and thoughtful sat read
ing Horace Manns eloquent plea for those young men
warehouse Of Bruin t. Hill, in Alexandria-a plea,
eloquent mpassoned, but vain, al othar pleas on
that side had ever proved in all courts hitherto. It
seemed to her that there was no hope; that nobody
would hear; nobody would read; nobody would pity.
And so the book was born; all anxiety a. to
it's reception by the world was soon dispelled.
Sympathetic and admiring letters poured In
from all quarters. Lord Carlisle, Chas. Kings
ley, the Earl of shaftsbury, and Frederika
Bremen, were among the distinguished per-
sons OF other countries who sent her their
blessings.
Ayear after the publication of Uncle Tom
Mrs. Stowe visited England. Among other
touching memorials of her visit was 4 bracelet
made in the form of slaves shackle, present.
ed her by the Duchess of Sutherland. 1t bore
the inscription, I'VE trust it is memorial Of
a chain that is soon to be broken" Since
then every link of the bracelet bears an en-
graved record of the steps of emancipation.
What seemed then 'tthe vaguest and most
sentimental possibility is now fact Of histo-
ry."
In addition to being cry for liberty from
the poor tortured souls who knew too well the
horrors of slave pens, blood-hounds, slave.
whips and slave-codles, it ts an evangel in
literature, showing that ''under circumstances
Of utter desolation and despair the religion Of
Christ can enable the poorest and most isnor-
ant human being not merely to submit, but to
triumph: that the soul Of the lowest and
weakest by its aid can become strong In super
human virtue, and rise above every threat.
and terror, and danger, in q sublime assurance
Of an ever-present love and an immortal life"