'Twould been a great
deal better if he'd let them youngest gals gone with Pingree and
Allston. They'd have made the tip-top mistresses--been kept like
ladies, and not been bothered, and brought all this trouble upon
their heads through these infernal abolitionists. I really believe
the old fool thought some white man would marry them at one time."
"What harm would there've been in that, providing they're as white
as anybody, and got plenty of money, and were handsome? There must
be a singular sensibility, that I don't understand, exerting itself
in your society," said the Captain laconically.
"Harm! You'd find out the harm. Just live in South Carolina a year
or two. 'Tisn't the fair complexion-we don't dispute that-but it's
the blood."
"Oh! then the legal objection," said the Captain, "is what is so
revolting to society, eh! It may be sown broadcast in
licentiousness, then, and custom sustains an immoral element that is
devouring the essential bond of society."
"Excuse me, Captain," interrupted the Colonel. "George, you are
always taking me upon suppositions. I only related it to the Captain
in order to show the power and integrity of our law, and how South
Carolinians frequently sacrifice their own interests to maintain it
intact. Nothing could be more fatal to its vitality than to make
provisions which would entail legal preferences.
Pages:
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117