of the South is inobtrusive. We think it proves but little,
though it is a confident thing for a man to claim that he stands higher
in the estimation of his Creator, and is less a sinner than his
neighbor. If vociferation is to carry the question of religion, the
North, and probably the Scotch, have it. Our sects are few, harmonious,
pretty much united among themselves, and pursue their avocations in
humble peace. In fact, our professors of religion seem to think--whether
correctly or not--that it is their duty "to do good in secret," and to
carry their holy comforts to the heart of each individual, without
reference to class _or color_, for his special enjoyment, and not with a
view to exhibit their zeal before the world. So far as numbers are
concerned, I believe our clergymen, when called on to make a showing,
have never had occasion to blush, if comparisons were drawn between the
free and slave States. And although our presses do not teem with
controversial pamphlets, nor our pulpits shake with excommunicating
thunders, the daily walk of our religious communicants furnishes,
apparently, as little food for gossip as is to be found in most other
regions. It may be regarded as a mark of our want of excitability--though
that is a quality accredited to us in an eminent degree--that few of the
remarkable religious _Isms_ of the present day have taken root among us.
We have been so irreverent as to laugh at Mormonism and Millerism, which
have created such commotions further North; and modern prophets have no
honor in our country. Shakers, Rappists, Dunkers, Socialists,
Fourrierists, and the like, keep themselves afar off. Even Puseyism has
not yet moved us. You may attribute this to our domestic slavery if you
choose. I believe you would do so justly. There is no material here for
such characters to operate upon.

But your grand charge is, that licentiousness in intercourse between the
sexes, is a prominent trait of our social system, and that it
necessarily arises from slavery. This is a favorite theme with the
abolitionists, male and female. Folios have been written on it. It is a
common observation, that there is no subject on which ladies of eminent
virtue so much delight to dwell, and on which in especial learned old
maids, like Miss Martineau, linger with such an insatiable relish. They
expose it in the slave States with the most minute observance and
endless iteration. Miss Martineau, with peculiar gusto, relates a