to reason mankind out of their original and genuine feelings, and persuade them to substitute artificial sentiment in place of that which is implanted by God and Nature. They would maintain, that slavery will from habit become easy, and, that mankind are truly better, when under confinement and subjection to the arbitrary will of a few.
Such doctrine at this, could never have gained any ground, had it been addressed to calm reason alone. Its partisans therefore have found it necessary to address themselves to the imagination and passions; to call in the aid of enthusiasm and superstition; in some countries to instill a strange love and attachment to their sovereigns; and in others to propogate certain mystical notions, which the mind of man is wonderfully ready to receive, of a divine right to rule; as if their sovereigns had descended from heaven. This last idea has been cherished for ages, from the 'Cara Deûm soboles. The beloved offspring of the Gods,' among the Romans, to those various elevated and endearing epithets, which modern nations have thought proper to bellow upon their sovereigns.
But whatever sophisms may be devised in favour of slavery, patience under it, can never be any thing but 'the effect of a sickly constitution,
