35 place describes
know, " The
as
—
it
in words
which
ever}' Slave-master should
war continued between a lawful conqueror and his captive. So opposite to the generous temper and courage of our nation, that Via hard/;/ be conceived that an Englishman, much less a gentleman, should plead for tfc" state of
.
Then comes Adam Smith, litical
Economy,
who, in his
.
.
to
the founder of the science of Po-
work on
Morals,. thus utters him-
self: " There is not a negro from the coast of Africa who does not possess a degree of magnanimity which the soul of his sordid master is too often scarce capable of Fortune never exerted more cruelly her empire over mankind, than conceiving. nations of heroes to the refuse of jails of Europe, to virtues neither of the countries which they come from, nor of those which they go to, and whose levity, brutality, and baseness, so justly Theory of Moral Sentiments, Pari expose them to the contempt of the vanquished:'
when she subjected these wretches who possess the
—
Chapter
V.
2.
This judgment, pronounced just a century ago, was repelled the Slave-masters of Virginia in a feeble publication, which own consciousness that they were the crim-
by
attests at least their
by the distinguished soon followed by the testimony of the inals arraigned
philosopher.
This was
great English moralist,
Dr. Johnson, who, in a letter to a friend, thus shows his opinion
of Slave-masters: " To omit for a year, or for a day, the most efficacious method of advancing this side of the Christianity, in compliance with any purposes, that terminate on except grave, is a crime of which I know not that the world has had an example,
whom, I suppose, no resemble:'— Letter to William jDrummond, 13th August, 1766. {BoswelVs Life of Johnson, by Groker.)
in the practice of the planters of America, a race of mortals
other
man wkhes
to
American and Philosophic, I need not but Truth, which is mightier Locke, Adam Smith, and John than Jefferson, and than Mason in unbroken succession. evidence the marshals Johnson, Samuel as we advance, broadens which argument, this with Proceeding
With such
authorities,
hesitate in this ungracious task
shall see Slave-masters (1) in the Law of Slavery, (2) in their relations with Slaves, (3) in their relations with each
we
other and with Society, and (4) in that unconsciousness which renders them insensible to their true character. in considering the Character of Slavery, so in considering the Character of Slave-masters, we must begin with the Slavery, which, as their work, testifies against them. Law (1.)
As
of In the face of such an unutterable abomination, where impiety, cruelty, brutality and robbery, all strive for mastery, it is in vain to assert the humanity or refinement of its authors. Full
