I'll learn you how to run away
again.'"
The other men advised him to take the black home, and cut him up in inch
pieces for his impudence, obstinacy, and desertion--swearing
tremendously all the while. The slave was ordered back to his cell. Then
ensued the following colloquy between Garrison and the master:
G.--"Sir, what right have you to that poor creature?"
M.--"My father left him to me."
G.--"Suppose your father had broken into a bank and stolen ten thousand
dollars, and safely bequeathed that as a legacy; could you
conscientiously keep the money? For myself, I had rather rob any bank to
an indefinite amount than kidnap a fellow-being, or hold him in bondage;
the sin would be less injurious to society, and less sinful in the sight
of God."
M.--"Perhaps you would like to buy the slave and give him his liberty?"
G.--"Sir, I am a poor man; and were I ever so opulent, it would be
necessary, on your part, to make out a clear title to the services of
the slave before I could conscientiously make a bargain."
M--"Well, sir, I can prove from the Bible that slavery is right."
G.--"Ah! that is a precious book--the rule of conduct. I have always
supposed that its spirit was directly opposed to everything in the shape
of fraud and oppression. However, sir, I should be glad to hear your
text."
M. (hesitatingly)--"Ham--Noah's curse, you know."
G. (hastily)--"Oh, sir, you build on a very slender foundation.
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