them together, have ever proposed a
feasible plan with regard to the disposal of the slaves, which would be
kind or even humane to the blacks. Moreover, theoretical arguments
against slavery, and representations of it, from many quarters, are so
palpably wrong, that replies to them and refutations are counted by us
at the North as defences of "oppression;" which they were never designed
to be. I am surprised at the extent and depth of real anti-slavery
feeling at the South. Sometimes I question whether Providence is not
permitting the antagonism of the North and South to continue just to
compel the South to hold these colored people in connection with
themselves for their good, until God's purposes of mercy for them are
accomplished, and "the time, times and half a time" of their captivity
is fulfilled. If Northern resistance to slavery had ceased, perhaps the
South would have rid herself of the blacks sooner than would have been
for their good.

I hope that you will not think me "a strong-minded woman" in what I here
repeat to you of the opinions and expressions which I have gathered in
listening to the conversation of intelligent people on this subject. I
write these things for your instruction, and also as memoranda for my
own future use.

It is a cherished idea with many excellent people that the time will
come when there will not be a slave in this land, nor on the earth. If
they mean by this that the time will come when every man in every face
will see a brother and a friend, it is certainly true. But if they mean
by it that ownership in man will come to an end, their opinion and
prophecy are as good as those of men who should undertake to differ from
them, and no better; while both would be entirely presumptuous in being
positive on such a subject. Some people seem to think that, in the good
time coming, it is as though we should dwell out-of-doors, among flowers
and fruits, with few wants, these being supplied by the spontaneous
offerings of nature.

Others, however, suppose that we shall still need some to shovel, take
care of horses, work over the fire the greater part of the day in
preparing food, go of errands, and, in short, be a serving class. They
suppose that the same sovereign God which distributes instincts, and
wisdom, variously, to animals, and gifts of understanding to men, will,
in the same sovereign way, create men and women with such degrees of
capacity and susceptibility as will lead inevitab