that the first inquiry of most of those into whose hands this volume
may chance to fall, will be, "_Which side of the question is it on?_"
Thus, it appears that the question of African slavery has two sides;
and that either interest, ignorance, or prejudice; or what is worse, a
vain glorious desire on the part of some to be considered the
champions of liberty, the guardians of the rights of man, has arrayed
a large portion of this nation on one side, or the other. I utterly
despair--I have no hope that my labors will meet the approbation of
ultraists, North, or South. But there is yet another class in our
country--a class of persons who are conservative in their views,
honest in their intentions, and patriotic in their feelings; who are
prepared to listen to the voice of reason, and the injunctions,
admonitions and warnings of Divine Revelation. It is to them I appeal.
Thank God, I believe that they constitute a large majority of the
nation.

I have long beheld with regret and astonishment, the efforts that have
been made by a certain class of writers, to disseminate erroneous
views in the Northern section of the United States, with regard to
Southern slavery.[2] The recent publication by Mrs. Stowe, entitled
"Uncle Tom's Cabin," is a work of that class. I have no wish to write
anything harsh or unkind; for however ill-timed, ill-advised, or
ill-judged the work may be, if her object was the alleviation of human
woe, I can but respect the motive that prompted her to write, though I
may differ with her in opinion as to the means most likely to
accomplish the proposed object. The fair authoress may have meant
well. I shall leave that, however, to the "Searcher of all hearts;"
but I frankly confess that I fear that the book will result "in evil,
and only evil." I cannot avoid here, quoting the language that she
puts in the mouth of Chloe, the wife of Uncle Tom, who is the hero of