Prosperity The Result Of Justice
TEN years have rolled into the past since the Rosebrook family-moved by a sense of right to enquire1 into the errors of a bad system of labour-resolved to try the working of a new scheme. There was to be no cutting, nor lashing2, nor abusing with overburdening tasks. Education was to regulate the feelings, kindness to expand the sympathies, and justice to bind4 the affections and stimulate5 advancement6. There were only some fifty negroes on the Rosebrook plantation7, but its fame for raising great crops had resounded8 far and wide. Some planters said it "astonished everything," considering how much the Rosebrooks indulged their slaves. With a third less in number of hands, did they raise more and better cotton than their neighbours; and then everything was so neat and bright about the plantation, and everybody looked so cheerful and sprightly9. When Rosebrook's cotton was sent into the market, factors said it was characteristic of his systemised negroes; and when his negroes rolled into the city, as they did on holidays, all brightened up with new clothes, everybody said-There were Rosebrook's dandy, fat, and saucy10 "niggers." And then the wise prophets, who had all along predicted that Rosebrook's project would never amount to much, said it was all owing to his lady, who was worth her weight in gold at managing negroes. And she did conceive the project, too; and her helping11 hand was felt like a quickening spring, giving new life to the physical being. That the influence might not be lost upon others of her sex in the same sphere of life, she was ever reasoning upon the result of female sympathy. She felt that, were it exercised properly, it could raise up the menial slave, awaken12 his inert13 energies, give him those moral guides which elevate his passive nature, and regenerate14 that manhood which provides for its own good.
They had promised their people that all children born at and after a given date should be free; that all those over sixty should be nominally15 free, the only restriction16 being the conditions imposed by the state law; that slaves under fifteen years of age, and able to do plantation work, should, during the ten years prescribed, be allowed for their extra labour at a given rate, and expected to have the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars set to their credit; that all prime people should be required to work a given number of hours, as per task, for master, beyond which they would be allotted17 a "patch" for cultivation18, the products of which were entrusted19 to Rosebrook for sale, and the proceeds placed in missus' savings20 bank to their credit. The people had all fulfilled the required conditions ere the ten years expired; and a good round sum for extra earnings21 was found in the bank. The Rosebrooks kept faith with their slaves; and the happy result is, that Rosebrook, in addition to the moral security he has founded for the good of his people-and which security is a boon22 of protection between master and slave-has been doubly repaid by the difference in amount of product, the result of encouragement incited23 by his enlightened system. The family were bound in affection to their slaves; and the compact has given forth24 its peaceful products for a good end. Each slave being paid for his or her labour, there is no decline of energy, no disaffection, no clashing of interests, no petulant25 disobedience. Rosebrook finds his system the much better of the two. It has relieved him of a deal of care; he gets more work for less money; he laughs at his neighbours, who fail to raise as much cotton with double the number of negroes; and he knows that his negroes love instead of fear him. And yet, notwithstanding the proof he has produced, the whole district of planters look upon him with suspicion, consider him rather a dangerous innovator26, and say, that while his foolish system cannot be other than precarious27 to the welfare of the state, time will prove it a monster fallacy.
A happy moment was it when the time rolled round, and the morning of the day upon which Rosebrook would proclaim the freedom of his people broke serenely28 forth. The cabins looked bright and airy, were sanded and whitewashed29, and, surrounded by their neatly30 attired31 inhabitants, presented a picturesque32 appearance. It was to be a great gala-day, and the bright morning atmosphere seemed propitious33 of the event. Daddy Daniel had got a new set of shiny brass34 buttons put on his long blue coat, and an extremely broad white cravat35 for his neck. Daniel was a sort of lawgiver for the plantation, and sat in judgment36 over all cases brought before him, with great gravity of manner. As to his judgments37, they were always pronounced with wondrous38 solemnity, and in accordance with what he conceived to be the most direct process of administering even-handed justice. Daddy was neither a democrat39 nor an unjust judge. Believing that it were better to forgive than inflict40 undue41 punishments, he would rather shame the transgressor42, dismiss him with a firm admonition to do better, and bid him go, transgress43 no more!
Harry44 had prepared a new sermon for the eventful day; and with it he was to make his happy flock remember the duty which they would henceforth owe to those who had been their kind protectors, as well as the promoters of that system which would result in happier days. How vivid of happiness was that scene presented in the plantation church, where master and missus, surrounded by their faithful old slaves, who, with a patriarchal attachment45, seemed to view them with reverence46, sat listening to the fervent47 discourse48 of that once wretched slave, now, by kindness, made a man! Deep, soul-stirring, and affecting to tears, were the words of prayer with which that devout49 negro invoked50 the all-protecting hand of Almighty51 God, that he would guide master and slave through the troubles of this earthly stage, and receive them into his bosom52. How in contrast with that waging of passion, and every element of evil that has its source in injustice53, so rife54 of plantation life, was the picture here presented!
The service ended, Rosebrook addresses a few remarks to his people; after which they gather around him and pour forth their gratitude55 in genial56 sentiments. Old and young have a "Heaven save master!" for Rosebrook, and a "God bless missus!" for his noble-hearted lady, to whom they cling, shaking her hand with warmest affection.
How enviable to her sex is the position of that woman who labours for the fallen, and whose heart yields its kindred sympathy for the oppressed!
After congratulations and tokens of affection had been exchanged, master, missus, and the people-for such they now were-repaired to the green in front of the plantation mansion57, where a sumptuous58 collation59 was spread out, to which all sat down in one harmonious60 circle. Then the festivities of the day-a 4th of July in miniature-ended with a gathering61 at Dad Daniel's cabin, where he profoundly laid down a system of rules for the future observance of the people.
Six months have passed under the new r'gime; and Rosebrook, feeling that to require labour of his people for a sum much beneath its value must in time become a source from which evil results would flow, awarded them a just and adequate remuneration, and finds it work well. Harry had not been included among those who were enrolled62 as candidates for the enjoyment63 offered by the new system; but missus as well as master had confidentially64 promised him he should be free before many years, and with his family, if he desired, sent to Liberia, to work for the enlightenment of his fellow Africans. Harry was not altogether satisfied that the greater amount of labour to be done by him for the unfortunate of his race was beyond the southern democratic states of America; and, with this doubt instinctively65 before him, he was not restless for the consummation.
Some three months after the introduction of the new state of affairs, Dad Daniel was observed to have something weighing heavily on his mind. At times he was seen consulting seriously with Harry; but of the purport66 of these consultations67 no one, except themselves, was made acquainted. That very many venerable uncles and aunts were curious to know Daddy's secret contemplations was equally evident. At length Daniel called a meeting of his more aged68 and sagacious brethren, and with sage69 face made known his cherished project. Absalom and Uncle Cato listened with breathless suspense70 as the sage sayings fell from his lips. His brethren had all felt the sweet pleasures of justice, right, freedom, and kindness. "Well, den3, broderin, is't 'um right in de sight ob de Lord, dat ye forgets dat broder what done so much fo'h ye body and ye soul too?"
"No, No! dat tisn't!" interrupted a dozen voices.
"Well, den!-I know'd, broderin, ye hab got da' bright spirit in ye, and wouldn't say 'twas!" Daniel continues, making a gesture with his left hand, as he raises the spectacles from his eyes with his right, and in his fervency71 lets them speed across the room. Daniel is only made conscious of his ecstasy72 when his broken eyes are returned to him. Turning to his brethren, he makes one of his very best apologies, and continues-"Dis ar poposition I'se gwine to put! And dat is, dat all ye broderin ere present put up somefin ob he arnin, and wid dat somefin, and what mas'r gib, too, we sarve dat geman what preach the gospel dat do 'em good wid 'e freedom for sef and family. Tain't right in de sight ob de Lor, nohow, to have preacher slave and congration free: I tell ye dat, my broderin, tain't!" With these sage remarks, Daddy Daniel concluded his proposition, leaned his body forward, spread his hands, and, his wrinkled face filled with comicality, waited the unanimous response which sounded forth in rapturous medley73. Each one was to put in his mite74, the preacher was to have a fund made up for him, which was to be placed in the hands of missus, and when sufficiently75 large (master will add his mite) be handed over for the freedom of the clergyman and his family. But missus, ever generous and watchful76 of their interests, had learned their intentions, and forestalled77 their kindness by herself setting them free, and leaving it to their own discretion78 to go where they will. There were many good men at the south-men whose care of their slaves constituted a bond of good faith; but they failed to carry out means for protecting the slave against the mendacity of the tyrant79. None more than Harry had felt how implicated80 was the state for giving great power to tyrant democracy-that democracy giving him no common right under the laws of the land, unless, indeed, he could change his skin. Ardently81 as he was attached to the plantation and its people-much as he loved good master and missus, he would prefer a home in happy New England, a peaceful life among its liberty-loving people. To this end the Rosebrooks provided him with money, sent him to the land he had longed to live in. In Connecticut he has a neat and comfortable home, far from the cares of slave life; no bloodhounds seek him there, no cruel slave-dealer haunts his dreams. An intelligent family have grown up around him; their smiles make him happy; they welcome him as a father who will no more be torn from them and sold in a democratic slave mart. And, too, Harry is a hearty82 worker in the cause of freedom, preaches the gospel, and is the inventor of a system of education by which he hopes to elevate the fallen of his race. He has visited foreign lands, been listened to by dukes and nobles, and enlisted83 the sympathies of the lofty in the cause of the lowly. And while his appeals on behalf of his race are fervent and fiery84, his expositions of the wrongs of slavery are equally fierce; but he is not ungrateful to the good master, whom he would elevate high above the cruel laws he is born and educated to observe. With gratitude and affection does he recur85 to the generous Rosebrooks; he would hold them forth as an example to the slave world, and emblazon their works on the pages of history, as proof of what can be done. Bright in his eventful life, was the day, when, about to take his departure from the slave world, he bid the Rosebrooks a long, long good by. He vividly86 remembers how hope seemed lighting87 up the prospect88 before him-how good missus shook his hand so motherly-how kindly89 she spoke90 to Jane, and how fondly she patted his little ones on the head. "The Rosebrooks," says our restored clergyman, "have nothing to fear save the laws of the state, which may one day make tyrranny crumble91 beneath its own burden."
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enquire
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| v.打听，询问；调查，查问 | |
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lashing
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| n.鞭打；痛斥；大量；许多v.鞭打( lash的现在分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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stimulate
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| vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋 | |
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advancement
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| n.前进，促进，提升 | |
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plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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sprightly
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| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
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saucy
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| adj.无礼的；俊俏的；活泼的 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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inert
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| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
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regenerate
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| vt.使恢复，使新生；vi.恢复，再生；adj.恢复的 | |
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nominally
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| 在名义上，表面地； 应名儿 | |
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restriction
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| n.限制，约束 | |
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allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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cultivation
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| n.耕作，培养，栽培（法），养成 | |
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entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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savings
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| n.存款，储蓄 | |
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earnings
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| n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得 | |
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boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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incited
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| 刺激，激励，煽动( incite的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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petulant
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| adj.性急的，暴躁的 | |
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innovator
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| n.改革者；创新者 | |
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precarious
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| adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的 | |
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serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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whitewashed
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| 粉饰，美化，掩饰( whitewash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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propitious
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| adj.吉利的；顺利的 | |
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brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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cravat
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| n.领巾，领结；v.使穿有领结的服装，使结领结 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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judgments
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| 判断( judgment的名词复数 )； 鉴定； 评价； 审判 | |
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38
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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democrat
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| n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员 | |
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40
inflict
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| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
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undue
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| adj.过分的；不适当的；未到期的 | |
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transgressor
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| n.违背者 | |
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transgress
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| vt.违反，逾越 | |
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44
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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46
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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47
fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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invoked
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| v.援引( invoke的过去式和过去分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
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almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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rife
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| adj.(指坏事情)充斥的，流行的，普遍的 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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sumptuous
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| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
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collation
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| n.便餐；整理 | |
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harmonious
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| adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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62
enrolled
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| adj.入学登记了的v.[亦作enrol]( enroll的过去式和过去分词 )；登记，招收，使入伍（或入会、入学等），参加，成为成员；记入名册；卷起，包起 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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64
confidentially
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| ad.秘密地，悄悄地 | |
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instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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purport
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| n.意义，要旨，大要；v.意味著，做为...要旨，要领是... | |
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consultations
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| n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找 | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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fervency
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| n.热情的；强烈的；热烈 | |
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ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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medley
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| n.混合 | |
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mite
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| n.极小的东西；小铜币 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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forestalled
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| v.先发制人，预先阻止( forestall的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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implicated
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| adj.密切关联的；牵涉其中的 | |
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ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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85
recur
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| vi.复发，重现，再发生 | |
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86
vividly
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| adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地 | |
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87
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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88
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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89
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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90
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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91
crumble
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| vi.碎裂，崩溃；vt.弄碎，摧毁 | |
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