James Redpath, The Roving Editor: or, Talks with Slaves in the Southern States.

---

---

“ [118] I's never bothered anybody since my last wife was sold away from me.”

“It's too bad,” said I. Not with a smile — for I never smile when I hear of men, from any motive, whether religious or social, deprived by other men of the God-implanted necessities of their natures. If slavery had no other evils, the fact that it so often separates families, forever, and causes men to lead unnatural lives, and commit unnamed and unnatural crimes, would make me an abolitionary insurrectionist.

“It's too bad,” I repeated.

“Yes, mass'r,” said he, “it is too bad; but we has to submit.”

---

Colored Contentment.

“Do you know,” I asked, “whether there are any slaves who would rather remain in bondage than be free?”

“No, mass'r, not one,” he replied emphatically. “Dare's not one in this county.”

“ Did you ever see one man,” I asked, “in all your life, who would rather be a slave than a freeman?”

“ No, mass'r.”

Remember his age, reader--sixty-two years--and then believe, if you choose, that the slaves are contented.

“ Old as you are,” I said, “I suppose you would like to be free?”

“Yes, mass'r” --sadly, very sadly--“I should like bery much to spend de very few years I's got to live in freedom. I would give any man $20 to $30 down, if he could get me free.”