PREFACE.
The writer of this book has chosen, once more, a
subject from the scenes and incidents of the slaveholding
states.
The reason for such a choice is two-fold. First, in a
merely artistic point of view, there is no ground, ancient
or modern, whose vivid lights, gloomy shadows, and
grotesque groupings, afford to the novelist so wide a
scope for the exercise of his powers. In the near
vicinity of modern civilization of the most matter-of-fact
kind, exist institutions which carry us back to the
twilight of the feudal ages, with all their exciting possibilities
of incident. Two nations, the types of two
exactly opposite styles of existence, are here struggling;
and from the intermingling of these two a third
race has arisen, and the three are interlocked in wild
and singular relations, that evolve every possible combination
of romance.
Hence, if the writer's only object had been the production
of a work of art, she would have felt justified
in not turning aside from that mine whose inexhaustible
stores have but begun to be developed.
But this object, however legitimate, was not the only
nor the highest one. It is the moral bearings of the
subject involved which have had the chief influence in
its selection.
The issues presented by the great conflict between
liberty and slavery do not grow less important from
year to year. On the contrary, their interest increases
with every step in the development of the national
career. Never has there been a crisis in the history
of this nation so momentous as the present. If ever a
nation was raised up by Divine Providence, and led forth
upon a conspicuous stage, as if for the express purpose
of solving a great moral problem in the sight of all
mankind, it is this nation. God in his providence is
now asking the American people, Is the system of
slavery, as set forth in the American slave code,
right?
Is it so desirable, that you will directly establish it over
broad regions, where, till now, you have solemnly forbidden
it to enter? And this question the American
people are about to answer. Under such circumstances
the writer felt that no apology was needed for once
more endeavoring to do something towards revealing
to the people the true character of that system. If the
people are to establish such a system, let them do it
with their eyes open, with all the dreadful realities
before them.
One liberty has been taken which demands acknowledgment
in the outset. The writer has placed in the
mouth of one of her leading characters a judicial decision
of Judge Ruffin, of North Carolina, the boldness,
clearness, and solemn eloquence of which have excited
admiration both in the Old World and the New. The
author having no personal acquaintance with that gentleman,
the character to whom she attributes it is to be
considered as created merely on a principle of artistic
fitness.
To maintain the unity of the story, some anachronisms
with regard to the time of the session of courts
have been allowed; for works of fiction must sometimes
use some liberties in the grouping of incidents.
But as mere cold art, unquickened by sympathy with
the spirit of the age, is nothing, the author hopes that
those who now are called to struggle for all that is
noble in our laws and institutions may find in this book
the response of a sympathizing heart.
