Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/350

Rh in courage, in nobility of mind, in feeling for the good and the beautiful, in enterprise, in piety. But of this I accuse you, that you do not give education to the poor of your country, that you do not labour for the elevation of the lower classes of your countrymen.” And there is good reason for this accusation, for in Virginia, in consequence of the restrictive fetters of slavery, which prevent the increase of schools, there are upwards of eighty thousand white people who can neither read nor write. The population of Virginia, whites and blacks taken together amounts to about a million and a half.

The young orator declared the mission of America to be that of communicating the blessings of liberty and civilisation to all nations. “If America fulfil her duty in this respect, she will become great and happy; if not, then she will fall, and the greatness of her fall will be commensurate with the greatness of her mission, and the intended future in which she has failed.”

I cannot tell you with what feelings of delight I listened to these large-minded and bold words from the pure soul of a youth. It was so unlike anything which I had hitherto heard in the Slave States. It was what I had been longing to hear. My tears flowed, and I did not trouble myself about them being seen. I was very happy.

But where now was the enthusiasm which on the former evening had animated the Sons of the South. They listened in silence, as it were, in amazement, and the applause which was given at the close of the speech was cold and, as it were, forced.

The glorious youth looked as if applause or blame concerned him not. He had spoken from his own conviction; his youthfully fresh cheek glowed as with the crimson tinge of morning, and his dark eye and clear brow shone serenely as a cloudless heaven.

I could not have any conversation with him later in the evening, because he was summoned to his father, who was