Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-08-31
From the Genius of Universal Emancipation
SELLING OF HUMAN FLESH.

SELI4IN6 Of HUMAN Flesh.
There are many persons in this coun-
FRY at the present day, whose minds are
deeply exercised, relative TO the proprie-
" of selling HUMAN REINGs like mani
mate property; and 50 perplexing does
the question seem to them, that they
feel at loss how to wave it, or what
measures to take for the purpose of get
ting over it. Having been long fami-
liar with the scenes oil slavery, and
taught, even in their infancy, to view the
system as right in itself, it never per-
haps for long time occurred to them,
that it could be either irnpolitic or sinful.
But various have been the changes, tlate,
in the sentiments and opinion OF man
kind relative to the order of things in
the moral world and amongst them all,
none appear more striking to the mind,
than that relating to individual peroga-
tive and privilege.
Man, il would appear was formed for
society. Ills inclnations and his attach
mcnts measurably centre there. Few
indeed can brook the idea Of a solitary
hermitage: but rather than submit to
the Inconvenience OF such a state, al
most every one is willing to>giye ia a
small portion of his alienable ris hts for
the purpose Of ENJOYING what he ex-
poets will be an equivalent, the advan-
tages resulting from an admission into
a well regulated community. But when
the rule established for the government
of the community, and the burthens
imposed upon its members, exceed the
benefits which, they derive from it, there
being no longer proper eqnipoisc ofin-
terest, the bonds of union are weak !;
the ligaments that connect its various
parts will necessarily give way; the
sickly and feverish symptoms OF disso-
luton soon make their appearance, and
inevitable ruin must sooner OF later fol
low.
These things are beginning now to be
more generally understood than for
inerly. 1t has been laid down as an
axiom, founded on the immutablc prin7
ciples OF truth: that every member oil So
cicty is possessed OF certain rights which
are unaiienable, and which none can
possibly claim, because an equivalent
can neper be gipen "Ainong these
are Life, LIBERTY, and the Pursuit
ofhahhiness." No person can be just
ly Invested of these rights, unless he
may have forfeited them by an undue
interference in the concerns of others,
which is defined by law as the perpetra-
ton Of crime and misdemeanor. If any
individual in society is liable to an in
fraction of his unalienable rights, those Of
the whole must be placed in jeopardy
for as such infraction would be manifest
" unjust, the force. Of moral obligation
..anst he disregardea, and nothing re-
mains as barrier to the encroachmen,s
ofthose invested with power.
Let all such as have withheld from a
fellow reature any of the rights and
Privileges above mentioned, consider
the4subject and deeply ponder it until
they are fairly satisfied OF the conse-
quences that will ensue if they persist
in their course. And those who have
wantonly made merchandise of human
flesh, or by purchasing and selling the
bodies and souls of men, are requested
to examine we'll the foundation upon
which they stand. They are especially