"She said more, father. Listen, for I believe her words to be prophetic: 'God will never prosper a nation whose chief corner-stone is human slavery.'"
"Stop, Fred, stop, I can't bear it. Your mother did not understand. This war is not waged to perpetuate slavery; it is waged to preserve the rights of the States guaranteed to them by the Constitution."
"Do not deceive yourself, father; slavery has everything to do with it. No State would have thought of seceding if it had not been for slavery. Slavery is the sole, the only cause of the war. It is a poor cause for noble men to give up their lives."
"We will not argue the question," said Mr. Shackelford, pettishly; "you will forget your foolishness in Europe."
"I shall not go to Europe."
"What!"
"I shall not go to Europe."
"Do you dare to disobey me?"
"I shall not only not go to Europe, but I shall enter the army."