I see how
perfectly sincere you are, and if I had been brought up here no
doubt I should think and act as you do. As it is, I am only a very
humble representative of the Government which is trying to preserve
its own existence--a Government which the South helped to form as
truly as the North. If I should come directly to your side, contrary
to belief and conscience, you would be the first to despise me. I
suppose we will all agree that we should obey the supreme dictates
of conscience?"
"No, sir," burst out Mr. Baron, "I cannot agree to anything of the
kind. There are multitudes who must be guided and controlled by
those who are wiser, older and more experienced. Why, sir, you would
have the very nursery children in flat rebellion."
"Indeed, Mr. Baron, I have not said one word against the authority
of parents and guardians."
"Ah! I am glad you draw the line somewhere. Half the misery in the
world results from young people's thinking themselves wiser than
their natural advisers. If they can merely say their consciences are
against what their elders know is right and best, we have anarchy in
the fountainhead of society--the family," and he glared for a moment
at his niece.
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