Personal Memoir of Daniel Drayton - For Four Years and Four Months a Prisoner (For Charity's Sake) in Washington Jail by Daniel Drayton
page 41 of 110 (37%)
page 41 of 110 (37%)
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the responsibility must fall upon your shoulders. It is
in your power to arrest the arm that is raised to give the blow. If you refuse to do so by a single expression, though it might cost you much, on you be all the consequences. _Dr. Bailey_.--You demand the sacrifice of a great right. You-- _One of the Committee (interrupting him_).--I know it is a hardship; but look at the consequences of your refusal. We do not come here to express our individual opinions. I would myself leave the District to-morrow, if in your place. We now ask of you, Shall this be done? We beg you will consider this matter in the light in which we view it. _Dr. Bailey_.--I am one man against many. But I cannot sacrifice any right that I possess. Those who have sent you here may do as they think proper. _One of the Committee_.--The whole community is against you. They say here is an evil that threatens them, and they ask you to remove that evil. You say "No!" and of course on your head be all the consequences. _Dr. Bailey_.--Let me remind you that we have been recently engaged in public rejoicings. For what have we rejoiced? Because the people in another land have arisen and triumphed over the despot, who had |
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