The road was constantly thronged with contrabands who…were making their way on 'double quick', for the land of peace and freedom. I saw the tears stream down the dark faces of those too old to leave, as those in the prime of life bid them a long adieu, and with hurried step started from the house of bondage. The attachment that exists between the slave and the master, is like the attachment between oil and water… The very institution itself hardens the heart and callouses all feelings of humanity.

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "The road was constantly thronged with contrabands who…were making their way on 'double quick', for the land of peace and freedom. I saw the tears stream down the dark faces of those too old to leave, as those in the prime of life bid them a long adieu, and with hurried step started from the house of bondage. The attachment that exists between the slave and the master, is like the attachment between oil and water… The very institution itself hardens the heart and callouses all feelings of humanity." in the context of "Union soldier encountering slaves while marching into Virginia, as quoted in War at our Doors (1998), by Rebecca Campbell Light, United States: American History Company" to mean that wisdom is timeless.