Library Collections: Document: Full Text


"A Dialogue, Between Two Southern Gentlemen And A Negro," Part 2

From: "A Dialogue, Between Two Southern Gentlemen And A Negro"
Creator: n/a
Date: June 1852
Publication: The Opal
Source: New York State Library

1  

(Concluded from out last.)

2  

Major Bell. -- You have a great opinion of yourself, Bob, and I hope that gratitude for favours will be enstamped on every Black.

3  

Bob. -- Pride of ancestors, and pride of our race, is worthy. Christophe, Touissant, Paul Cuffee and Phillis Wheatly, have they not honoured their colour, my master and friend?

4  

Major Bell. -- You audacious one, I have the will to punish you.

5  

Bob. -- Nay, nay, master, I crave your indulgent pardon. I may be allowed to say that here in Alabama there are minds of cultivation that know the worth of kindness, and appreciate knowledge. Yes, sir, even Blacks.

6  

Major Bell. -- Well Bob, you may proceed and be heard too.

7  

Bob. -- There is the servant of Master Pickens, who reads and understands lan-guages, and the Synods propose to buy him for $2,050, and there is the slave of Master Pleasants who calculates beyond the whites.

8  

Major Bell. -- Indeed Bob.

9  

Bob. -- Why, master, he agonizes to solve problems, and gives the result correctly. -- He figures largely, I tell you.

10  

Major Bell. -- Well, Bob, I suppose the Niggers are smart, if they had a chance, like white folks.

11  

Bob. -- But to return to the subject of your northern trip. Did my old master learn the present condition of the heathen there? -- Always troubling themselves about other people. They forget that charity begins at home. They are such good people, and yet might starve in the midst of abundance.

12  

Major Bell. -- In the sincerity of my soul, my darkie, there are heathen in the midst of our beautiful cities. There are many who live in secret grief, and die neglected. Some pine in want and dungeon's gloom, some groan away their lives in unconscious servitude to their unfledged wills, and are like the Kentucky horse who bore his master to court, and remained subservient to his disposal, when he might have enjoyed the freedom of a release.

13  

Bob. -- Yes, but master, the horse probably reasoned thus, my bridle holds me only as my master holds it. He not holding it, consequently I am free. But again, if bridle holds me not, then I am not held to ownership. Consequently, I am not uncontrollable.

14  

Major Bell. -- Good logic, Bob.

15  

Bob. -- Ha, ha, ha, master. But if I leave my master, (the horse might say,) my subsequent action, would be in the line of previous habit, and I should be subject to recapture. Therefore, the better part or valor is discretion, and I will remain just exactly as I remain with you, my master.

16  

Major Bell. -- What a negro you are Bob. Is there such another in all the State of Alabama.

17  

Bob. -- I, I, I, am a no account sort of fellow. These locks have grown gray in service, these aged limbs will soon seek repose in the grave. But, master, my mortal spirit! What saith Dr. Watts, in old Psalm Book.

18  

Major Bell. -- Well, what doth he say?

19  

Bob. -- Don't you know master?

20  

Princes, this clay must be your bed,
In spite of all your toil
The tall, the wise, the reverend head
Must be as low as.............Bob's.

21  

Major Bell. -- But the immortal nature of the species!

22  

Bob. -- Yes, my good master, my soul exists in its immortality, and hopes to join the thronged legion with me. I live in those pure regions where no billows lash the shore, nor tempest gathers in the sky. If I should know you in Heaven, I will vie with you in giving praise to him "who made of one blood all the nations of the earth."

23  

Major Bell. -- And Bob, will you forget Alabama, when you'll be on the banks of the river of life.

24  

Bob. -- Master, Master, Earth will be swallowed up in the joys of Heaven, and my beastified spirit will rejoice that I had so good a friend as you.

25  

Major Bell. -- What, Bob, will be the condition of the poor Insane, the Dumb, the blind, and the afflicted generally beyond the grave?

26  

Bob. -- Ah, now you know very well, master, that my experience has led to some profound observations, and that I conclude that they will be reinstated in the pristine pureness of everlasting life? I am inclined to Universalism, master, for there is no multiplicity of human agencies can counteract the influence of Omniscient purity and love.

27  

Major Bell. -- Begone with your nonsense.

28  

Bob. -- A beam etherial, sullied and absorpt,
Tho' sullied and dishonored, is still divine.

29  

Major Bell. -- Submerged too often in the miseries of the world.

30  

Bob. -- Reinvigorated, disenthralled, the pure spirit of my nature, of yours, my good master, of the lame, the halt, the blind, the lunatic, will be restored to light and life divine at the very presence of the Saviour of the world.

31  

"Ethiopia shall soon stretch forth her hands unto God."

32  

This is all I have to say to my master now. I was so glad to see him. Ha, ha, ha. Will he pardon my intrusion?

33  

Major Bell. -- Hear me now, Bob. I have told you of many things, of the duties of life, and yet you comfort me with the audacious belief that all will congregate in Heaven forever and forever. The Parricidal, the Fratricidal, the Homicidal, the Burglar, with the Patriot, the Statesman and the Christian.

34  

Bob. -- Master, you have my inclination to the doctrines, all liable to misconstruction like the Constitution of the government. -- I can tell you that Master Jefferson will find his Declaration true. All equal, all equal in the other world. Ha, ha, ha. If the Devil gets us he will equalize us.

35  

Major Bell. -- Ah, you negro, you are funning in serious matters.

36  

Bob. -- Nay, nay, master, let m say that the world will be regenerated by the influence of agencies through all the ramifications of society. Intellectual refinement will prepare the way for the reception of the Lord's commands, and a similitude of correspondence thereunto.

37  

Major Bell. -- Ah, Bob, you are a little inconsistent like the rest of mankind.

38  

Bob. -- If I could raise my voice to such a note of exultation, that it would reach every Log Cabin on the Plantations, I would say, cheer up my black brethren, Humanity and its Creator will so arrange the combinations of society that ere long the peaceful abodes of the Slave will be the resorts of angelic beings.

39  

Major Bell. -- And how are the Selmaians?

40  

Bob. -- Master Coles used to say (on sacrament days) as he was returning home, -- What a shame to the masters that there are so many colored members, who look so nice, with their white turbans and neat dresses, while they are mere spectators to the scenes. Here's for a blessing on Minister Alexander, and his family, as every good negro must wish.

41  

Major Bell. -- Good Christians, Bob, (I dare say.)

42  

Bob. -- "A Guinea does but stamp the rank,
"A man's a man for a' that, for a' that,"

43  

I hope that soon the minds of the slaves will be reached through the medium of the laws that govern intellect; and that they will he controlled by self-government, and that a Jones will be associated with a Pinel, a Murphy with a Brigham, and his co-patriots in profound efforts to alleviate woe, and establish the wavering on the immutability of inwrought principle, which by universality of affinity may render the human race a band of Christian brothers, a company of exalted minds.

44  

Major Bell. -- Have been studying my books! Ha! The pleasures of life's best estate is precautioned like the Iron fruit and flowers of the Mad House at Naples, that seemed to smile on those they imprisoned, and (hereafter) I will learn wisdom from my Bob, and instead of travelling on errands of philanthropy I will commune with the genius of worthies in my Library, perhaps

45  

(Oh they wander wide who roam,
For the joys of life from home,)

46  

become as learned as philanthropic, and as wise as an Alabama Negro. Col. Duke, what say you to Bob.

47  

Col. Duke. -- I greet you to the beautiful springs, sweet flowers and fertile fields of Alabama, Major Bell. Bob, Sir, has certainly improved himself. You must value him highly. Would you like to sell him to me, Major?

48  

Major Bell. -- Not for his weight in Bullion, fresh from the Bank of England, I have instructed him, and during my absence he has kept an acquaintance with the proceedings of the world, and has been perfect master of the premises.

49  

Col. Duke. -- You overrate him, Major Bell. He is an impudent sauce-box, and a good dressing would be of service to him.

50  

Major Bell. -- He is my body servant, and you must retract what you said of him instanter.

51  

Col. Duke. -- With all my heart, Major, but if he was mine, I'd learn him better manners, I promise you.

52  

Major Bell. -- Oh, Col. it is his way. He is pleased thus to interest his old master, and I am happy to encourage him even from my youth.

53  

Col. Duke. -- It is excusable, I confess, Major. What say you to selecting a darkie, educate him at old Yale College, and send him to Monrovia.

54  

Major Bell. -- Too extensive, too dangerous to the south, too inconsistent with the principles of Slavery. Could you find an Alumnus of Yale that would consent to be a Slave?

55  

Col. Duke. -- Why Major, your obtuseness. If we educate him and send him to Africa, he'd be free. It may be.

56  

Slave, cannot breathe in Connecticut,
The moment they touch her soil their shackles fall.

57  

Major Bell. -- You was yourself educated at Old Yale, and I remember the Oration you delivered the on Association of Ideas, that was so highly applauded in the North Church.

58  

Col. Duke. -- And what of that Major? I am a Colozinationist of the Clay principle and if we have to select Charley, I dare say he'd have the Philosophical Oration as a student from Lexington, and be appointed Governor of Monrovia. What say you, Major, will you go me halves in such an adventure? It would gladden my heart, and I am sure it would that of his old master.

59  

Major Bell. -- I will consider the proposed seriously, and will confer with you from Florence and Tuscumbia.

60  

Col. Duke. -- The Negroes in and near Lexington are the best you ever saw; the best behaved, the best bred, more sagacity, more pocket change, more small talk, more native wit than you or I Major.

61  

Major Bell. -- Indeed, I am told the misters and mistresses, as (Mr. Marcus Bull, of Hartford, said,) were the only Slaves Virginia.

62  

Col. Duke. -- But, Major, in the courses of my intellectual investigation, I was observing that there was a vast difference between voluntary and involuntary servitude. That, as my Lord Bacon observes upon the nature of a forced action, as it crosses the will. -- Why, Major, it must counteract all independent movements, as a matter of course and produce an automatic state of existence either in White or Black.

63  

Major Bell. -- I must refer you to Bob. He has studied philosophy, I tell you, Col. Reid and Lecke, and Stewart and Brown and Bacon, he devoured them. He occupied my extensive Library, to wait the approach of visitors, conduct them to seats, and hear their best conversation, and learned his manners, and acquired his knowledge from such intercourse.

64  

Col. Duke. -- I shall admit of no such reference, you ought to be ashamed of yourself, Major. Shame on yourself, thus to neglect your collegiate studies.

65  

Major Bell. -- To convince you, Colonel. I will examine him a little, for your entertainment. I rest a moment or two, Col.

66  

Col. Duke. -- I will examine him myself, Major. Come hither, Bob. Your master informs me you are a very attentive observer affairs, and understand philosophy. Tell me, now, what do you understand by intellectual Philosophy.

67  

Bob. -- Sir, Master, Col. Duke, philosophy is wisdom, philos sophos , lover of wisdom. Intellectual profundity, or acquaintance with the nature of the operations of the mind as by its laws.

68  

Col. Duke. -- Ha, ha, ha. Where does the intellect reside? Whence its activity, and vitality, and so forth?

69  

Bob. -- No, and so forth, with the negro, if you please, Master, Col. Duke. The strict philosophy, Master Dudley, told me as I was lifting up a subject, but I must never disclose it.

70  

Col. Duke. -- Who do you prefer as Intellectual Philosophers, Bob?

71  

Bob. -- Master Duke, I have no choice, I am fond of all, but Dugald Stuart, master John thought was the most interesting. -- There where he lectures on the "Power of Association," I have studied him by hours, and have felt his power in tracing every memorial of some departed friend, as I have liked the remnants of mortality.

72  

Col. Duke. -- That will do, Bob, and nothing further with you on this subject, or any other.

73  

Major Bell. -- Are you not satisfied of his capacity, Col.? He has the most incontestable evidence of ability on other subjects.

74  

Col. Duke. -- But I forbear. I did not to touch the key stone of the arch. There it remains in my cranium, as placed President Dwight, and I shall admit no innovations on the good old ways of Intellectual Philosophy, as established by the School.

75  

Major Bell. -- The Baconian Philosophy is the true system, Col., and Bob can shoulder more Bacon than any other Negro of his age in Alabama, and I shall give him a long job I promise you, for he has had a fine holiday, I tell you.

76  

Col. Duke. -- Well, well, Major Bell, labor que voluptas, and

77  

"He is a Freemen whom the truth makes free,
And all are slaves beside,"

78  

is the motto of a paper published in New Orleans, and of my Plantation. Intellectual thraldom in either variety of the human species is dreadful, and those who seek to disenthral the unfortunates are worthy of a Niche in the Temple of Fame, far beyond Wilberforce and Clarkson.

79  

Major Bell. -- We must not forget Mr. Clay's Charles. What monument could be reared more to the honor of that illustrious Colozinationist than to educate his boy for his master's sake.

80  

Col. Duke. -- Yes, Major, to be the means of honoring so distinguished a Patriot, would give me great pleasure, to awaken in one iota an inquiry for human woe, "to delve in miseries mine for gems of deepest hue," to ascend the Pisgah and see the promised land of intellectual clearness and symmetry. -- "Oh, it is a consummation devoutly to be wished."

81  

Major Bell. -- Yes, Col.; "One clear idea awakened in the mind by memory's magic lets in all the rest," only give it fair play, and how soon the mental optics are purified.

82  

Col. Duke. -- I am happy in this interview with my old friend, Major Bell, and only regret that I am unable to inform you what has been done by Dr. Brigham. Dr. Woodward, Dr. Ray, Dr. Coventry, Dr. White, Dr. Macdonald, or Dr. Nelson, and others, for the alleviation of human suffering, and refer you to the American Journal of Insanity, and bid you Farewell.

83  

Major Bell. -- This incidental conversation reminds me of my Tecumseh's pieces, and I must detain you a moment to hear what comes from the land of Edward Miller, rest and bless him. You will delay your departure, will you not Col.?

84  

Col. Duke. -- Most certainly, Major Bell I am fond of recitation, and as friendship is the wine of life, believe me if I forget the cordial of your hospitality while life continues.

85  

Major Bell.-- Tecumseh, arrange yourself, and speak the piece for Col. Duke, are he returns home.

86  

Tecumseh Humboldt. --

87  

1. I've seen, in twilight's pensive hour,
The moss-clad dome, the mouldering tower,
In awful ruin stand;
That dome, where grateful voices sung,
That tower, whose charming music rung,
Majestically grand!

88  

2. I've seen, 'mid sculptured pride, the tomb
Where heroes slept, in silent gloom, Unconscious of their fame;
Those who, with laurel'd honors crowned,
Among their foes spread terror round,
And gain'd an empty name!

89  

3. I've seen, in death's dark palace laid,
The ruins of a beauteous maid,
Cadaverous and pale!
That maiden, who, while life remained,
O'er rival charms in triumph reigned
The mistress of the vale.

90  

4. I've seen, where dungeon damps abide,
A youth, admired in manhood's pride,
In morbid fancy rave;
He, who, in reason's happier day,
Was virtuous, witty, nobly gay,
Learn'd, generous and brave.

91  

5. Nor dome, nor tower in twilight shade,
Nor hero fallen, nor beauteous maid,
To ruin all consigned, --
Can with such pathos touch my breast,
As (on the maniac's form impressed)
The ruins of the mind!

92  

Tecumseh Humboldt, having spoken this extract from Selleck Osborn, of Del., Major Bell, Col. Duke, Bob and Tecumseh exchange salutations and separate.