FREEDOM’S VALUE
Some years back Dr. Raymond Paty, then President of the University of Alabama, told the story of the times shortly after the Civil War, when a large plantation owner came upon old Sam — one of his former slaves. Old Sam was shivering with cold, dressed in rags and appeared to be on the verge of starvation. The planter said, “Sam, it looks like this freedom they talk so much about hasn’t worked out too well for you. Do you remember the old days when we all had a good place to sleep, good clothes to wear and good food to eat?” Old Sam said “Yassuh, I sho’ do!” The former slave owner continued, “Now, Sam, tell the truth. If you could change things back to the way they were before you were set free, wouldn’t you do it? Eating well? Working hard? Secure as a slave? Old Sam scratched his head, looked up and said, “What you say is de trufe…
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