"You may rest assured it was not," said Clayton. "I followed the deepest and most deliberate convictions of my conscience."
"In that case, you could not do otherwise," replied Judge Clayton. "I have no criticisms to make. But will your conscience allow you to retain the position of a slave-holder?"
"I have already relinquished it," replied Clayton, "so far as my own intentions are concerned. I retain the legal relation of owner simply as a means of protecting my servants from the cruelties of the law, and of securing the opportunity to educate and elevate them."
"And suppose this course brings you into conflict with the law of the state?" said Judge Clayton.
"If there is any reasonable prospect of having the law altered, I must endeavor to do that," said Clayton.
"But," said Judge Clayton, "suppose the law is so rooted in the nature of the institution, that it cannot be repealed without uprooting the institution? What then?"
"I say repeal the law, if it do uproot the institution," said Clayton. "Fiat justitia ruat cœlum."
"I supposed that would be your answer," said Judge Clayton, patiently. "That is undoubtedly the logical line of life. But you are aware that communities do not follow such lines; your course, therefore, will place you in opposition to the community in which you live. Your conscientious convictions will cross self-interest, and the community will not allow you to carry them out."
"Then," said Clayton, "I must, with myself and my servants, remove to some region where I can do this."
"That I supposed would be the result," said Judge Clayton. "And have you looked at the thing in all its relations and consequences?"