In the book Uncle Tom's Cabin how does the following passage help the reader understand why a caring man like Mr. Bird votes for the Fugitive Slave Law? "... there is such a state of public agitation rising, the we must aside our private feelings."
find a passage in the chapter when Stowe openly appeals to maternal sympathies.
In Chapter 9, the Senator is conversing with his wife about a recently passed bill;
"There has been a law passed forbidding people to help off the slaves that come over from Kentucky, my dear; so much of that thing has been done by these reckless Abolitionists, that our brethren in Kentucky are very strongly excited, and it seems necessary, and no more than Christian and kind, that something should be done by our state to quiet the excitement."
In this statement we really don't see the Senator as believing this law to be Christian, but when questioned by his wife as to whether or not he supports the law his response is;
"But, Mary, just listen to me. Your feelings are all quite right, dear, and interesting, and I love you for them; but, then, dear, we mustn't suffer our feelings to run away with our judgment; you must consider it's not a matter of private feeling,—there are great public interests involved,—there is such a state of public agitation rising, that we must put aside our private feelings."
From these two passages I would say that the Senator does NOT believe the laws to be either just or Christian, but rather a compromise for what he believes is the greater good of the whole. It most certainly doesn't make him right........ especially in the eyes of his wife, who believes in Christian charity, virtues, and a Godly life.
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