You see," and he smiled, "I could not let pass your hint
without a word."
"If it comes to that--to war," said Grey, "we would win. In that belief
lies the certainty I dread."
"Ah! sir, in that Southern belief lies the certainty I too dread. You
think we live merely lives of commerce. You do not realise that there is
with us a profound sentiment of affection for the Union. No people
worth anything ever lived without the very human desire of national
self-preservation. It has the force of a man's personal desire for
self-preservation. Pardon me, I suppose that I have the habit of the
sermon."
Grey replied, "You are very interesting, but I am tired. A little more
rye, John. I must adjourn this discussion--we will talk again."
"Not if I can help it," laughed Rivers. "I ought to say that I shall vote
the Republican ticket."
"I regret it--I deeply regret it. Oh! thanks, John." He drank the whisky
and went upstairs to bed.
Rivers sat down. "This man is what I call a stateriot. I am or try to be
that larger thing, a patriot. I did not say all, it was useless. Your
uncle cares little--oh, too little--about slavery, and generally the
North cares as little; but the antislavery men are active and say, as did
Washington, that the Union of the States was or will be insecure until
slavery comes to an end.
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