Page:Maud Howe - Atlanta in the South.djvu/200

 equal voice in the government with ourselves. The negroes all steal, sir. I never knew one that would n't steal. They have no idea of the sacredness of property."

"Is it not rather soon to expect people who have never owned any property, not even their own bodies, to develop a delicate sense of meum and tuum? How should they understand that which it has taken centuries of civilization to develop ever so little in ourselves? Give them property of their own, and that is the surest way to teach them to respect yours."

It was Margaret who spoke, blushing at her own temerity as soon as she had uttered the words.

"I think, Mademoiselle, that you have said the very best thing that could be said on the subject, which is in truth a vexed one," said Philip.

Margaret looked at him gratefully.

"What future seems to you to lie before the Southern negroes?" asked the General, addressing Colonel Lagrange.

"Can't say, sir. I should like to see them all shipped to Liberia. I believe that white men could do their work, and the country would be a deal better without them."

"There, sir, you are mistaken," interrupted the planter. "They are a necessity,—a