If these northern visitors derived their information that the slaves are not cruelly treated from their own observation, it amounts to this, they did not see cruelties inflicted on the slaves.  To which we reply, that the preceding pages contain testimony from hundreds of witnesses, who testify that they did see the cruelties whereof they affirm.  Besides this, they contain the solemn declarations of scores of slaveholders themselves, in all parts of the slave states, that the slaves are cruelly treated.  These declarations are moreover fully corroborated, by the laws of slave states, by a multitude of advertisements in their newspapers, describing runaway slaves, by their scars, brands, gashes, maimings, cropped ears, iron collars, chains, &c. &c.

Truly, after the foregoing array of facts and testimony, and after the objectors’ forces have one after another filed off before them, now to march up a phalanx of northern visitors, is to beat a retreat.  ‘Visitors!’ What insight do casual visitors get into the tempers and daily practices of those whom they visit, or of the treatment that their slaves receive at their hands, especially if these visitors are strangers, and from a region where there are no slaves, and which claims to be opposed to slavery?  What opportunity has a stranger, and a temporary guest, to learn the every-day habits and caprices of his host?  Oh, these northern visitors tell us they have visited scores of families at the south and never saw a master or mistress whip their slaves.  Indeed!  They have, doubtless, visited hundreds of families at the north—­did they ever see, on such occasions, the father or mother whip their children?  If so, they must associate with very ill-bred persons.  Because well-bred parents do not whip their children in the presence, or within the hearing of their guests are we to infer that they never do it out of their sight and hearing?  But perhaps the fact that these visitors do not remember seeing slaveholders strike their slaves, merely proves, that they had so little feeling for them, that though they might be struck every day in their presence, yet as they were only slaves and ‘niggers,’ it produced no effect upon them; consequently they have no impressions to recall.  These visitors have also doubtless rode with scores of slaveholders.  Are they quite certain they ever saw them whip their horses? and can they recall the persons, times, places, and circumstances?  But even if these visitors regarded the slaves with some kind feelings, when they first went to the south, yet being constantly with their oppressors, seeing them used as articles of property, accustomed to hear them charged with all kinds of misdemeanors, their ears filled with complaints of their laziness, carelessness, insolence, obstinacy, stupidity, thefts, elopements, &c. and at the same time, receiving themselves the most gratifying attentions and caresses from the same persons, who, while they