“Stop one moment, my philosophic friend,” the deacon interposes, earnestly.  “Upon that you northerners who come out here to sustain the cause of slavery for the south, all make fools of yourselves.  This continual reasoning upon Bible philosophy has lost its life, funeral dirges have been played over it, the instruments are worn out.  And yet, the subject of the philosophy lives,—­he belies it with his physical vigour and moral action.  We doubt the sincerity of northerners; we have reasons for so doing; they know little of the negro, and care less.  Instead of assisting southerners who are inclined to do justice to the wretch-to be his friend-to improve his condition-to protect him against a tyrant’s wrong, you bring us into contempt by your proclaiming virtue over the vice we acknowledge belongs to the institution.  We know its defects-we fear them; but, in the name of heaven, do not defend them at the cost of virtue, truth, honesty.  Do not debase us by proclaiming its glories over our heads;-do not take advantage of us by attempting to make wrong right.”  The deacon’s feelings have become earnest; his face glows with animation.

Mr. Scranton seems discomfited.  “That’s just like all you southerners:  you never appreciate anything we do for you.  What is the good of our love, if you always doubt it?”

“Such love!” says the deacon, with a sarcastic curl on his lip.  “It’s cotton-bag love, as full of self as a pressed bale-”

“But, deacon; you’re getting up on the question.”

“Up as high as northern sincerity is low.  Nothing personal,” is the cool rejoinder.

Mr. Scranton inquires very seriously-wishing it particularly to be understood that he is not a fighting-man-if Deacon Rosebrook considers all northerners white-washed, ready to deceive through the dim shadows of self.  The deacon’s frank and manly opinion of northern editors and preachers disturbs Scranton’s serious philosophy.  “Cotton-bag love!” there’s something in it, and contempt at the bottom, he declares within himself.  And he gives a serious look, as much as to say-"go on.”

“I do!  He who maketh right, what those most interested in know to be wrong, cherishes a bad motive.  When a philosopher teaches doctrines that become doubtful in their ultraness, the weakness carries the insincerity,—­the effort becomes stagnant.  Never sell yourself to any class of evils for popularity’s sake.  If you attempt it you mistake the end, and sell yourself to the obscurity of a political trickster, flatttered by a few, believed by none.”

“Deacon! a little more moderate.  Give us credit for the good we do.  Don’t get excited, don’t.  These are ticklish times, and we northerners are quick to observe-”

“Yes, when it will turn a penny on a nigger or a bale of cotton.”