"
"So far as a limited experience has enabled me to judge," observed Paul,
"I have every where found, not only the same nature, but a common innate
sentiment of justice that seems universal; for even amidst the wildest
scenes of violence, or of the most ungovernable outrages, this sentiment
glimmers through the more brutal features of the being. The rights of
property, for instance, are every where acknowledged; the very wretch who
steals whenever he can, appearing conscious of his crime, by doing it
clandestinely, and as a deed that shuns observation. All seem to have the
same general notions of natural justice, and they are forgotten only
through the policy of systems, irresistible temptation, the pressure of
want, or the result of contention."
"Yet, as a rule, man every where oppresses his weaker fellow."
"True; but he betrays consciousness of his error, directly or indirectly.
One can show his sense of the magnitude of his crime even by the manner of
defending it. As respects our late enemies, I cannot say I felt any
emotion of animosity while the hottest engaged against them, for their
usages have rendered their proceedings lawful."
"They tell me," interrupted Mr. Effingham, "that it is owing to your
presence of mind and steadiness that more blood was not shed
unnecessarily.
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