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"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

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(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.

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

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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.

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Major Bell. -- Good logic, Bob.

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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.

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

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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.

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

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Bob. -- Don't you know master?

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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.

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

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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."

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

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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.

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

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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.

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Major Bell. -- Begone with your nonsense.

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

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

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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.

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

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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?

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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.

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