Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/349

Rh filled. This lasted for a good half hour, and it seemed to me that the young orator's situation could not be very pleasant, sitting there all alone, as he did, an object for all eyes; and I asked myself whether it could be this feeling which cast a certain shade, or a certain trance-like look, over his eyes. He was a tall young man of handsome, strong proportions, who yet seemed to me not fully grown; the countenance was pure and good, not regularly handsome, but handsome nevertheless, with a youthfully fresh complexion, and clear, strongly-marked features. I endeavoured inquisitively to guess from these the soul of the youth: but this lay, as it were, under a veil. The forehead was broad, the hair dark-brown, and abundant.

At length the moment came when he must rise and speak. He did this with great simplicity, without grace, but without any awkwardness or confusion, and began his speech, without the facility of the former speaker, but with calmness and precision. In the first part of his speech he took a hasty review of the nations of antiquity, with regard to that which caused their greatness or their fall. He showed that in all countries where slavery had existed, it had degraded the people, and finally caused their downfal.

When I heard this I confess that my heart beat high. “Is it possible,” thought I, “that I shall really hear in this Slave State, before this corporation of self-complacent advocates of slavery, a youth publicly, and like a man, raise his voice against slavery? The weak side of the South, and the nightshade of the New World!”

Yes, I shall! The youth continued boldly, and in the most logical manner, to apply to America those principles, the consequences of which he exhibited in the history of Europe and Asia. Without reservation, and with great beauty and decision of expression, he addressed his countrymen thus:—“I accuse you not of any deficiency