Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-08-16

passions and sympathies of man, and
yet all these are purloined from him by
a tyrant, and he is placed lower than
brute.
That the inhuman policy which intro
duced slaves into America was dis
grace to the nation which sanctioned it,
a dishonor TO the colonies which support
ed it, and a scandal to human nature, l
need not at this enlightened period, la
Dor to prove.
/ But what perceptible difference is
there between the traffic in human flesh
and blood, on the coast of Africa, or in
the interior of America Why is it more
unjust to make descent on Congo and
transport whole ship load Of slaves to
the United States, than to purchase and
remove the same number from the wa
tiers of the Atlantic to the shores of the
Mississippi Are we told that those in
America are in bondage already, and
that removal will not affect their cir
cumstances Many of the Africans are
slaves in their own country, and the same
argument has been but too successfully
employed in prolonging the slave-trade.
Is i, said the condition of these unfor-
tunate beings would be alleviated by
removal! This was prominent argu-
ment in support of the foreign trade.
In word, every reason which can be
alledged against the African slave-trade,
either in respect to the Immutable prin-
ciples of justice, or to the condition of the
negroes themselves, would apply to the
domestic slave trade, but more especial
ly would it bear against the legality of
claiming the progeny of slaves. No
real distinction exists between him who
steals child at the birth from its pa
rents in America, and him who lands on
the shores Of Guinea and kidnaps. one
there. Would the same act be climax
OF injustice on the equator, and innocent
in the United States {! Or would not the
same Principle which appropriates to it.
self all the children in the family imme-
diately as they enter the world, make a
voyage to the Gold Coast and kidnap a
whole ship load
l sincerely wish it we're in my power
to impart my feelings and views to all
who hear me-nay,to all United Ameri-
ca. They would then acknowledge,
that expediency and prudence might per-
nit the master to retain his slave till |
prepared for manumission, but would |
give him no RICH, over the unborn pos
,erity. They would then feel that the
continuance Of slavery to future genera
tons where it is, or extending it where it !
is not, is repugnan, to every principle of
humanity-an everlasting stigma upon |
our government--an act OF unequallcd |
barbari,y, without the color of pretext to |
justify it. Let US not limit our views to |
the short period Of this life, let US extend
them along the continuous line OF endless
generations TO come. How distracting
the thought that the millions which now
TEEN in the womb Of futurity, the present
laws OF the slave states doom to perpe,u-
al bondage! The ingenious mind that
has adequate ideas Of the inherent rights
of man, and knows the value OF them,
mus. feel his indignation rise against the
shameful project to pollute this state
with the foul stain Of involuntary servi-
tude, and to render it nursery for
wre,ches stripped of every privilege
which heaven intended for rational crca-
lures and reduced to level with-nay,
become themselves the goods and chat
tells of an imperious master.
BY the eternal principles of natural
justice, no master in the United States has
a right to hold his slave in bondage for
a single hour, though for the safety of
the whites, and even till previous steps
have been taken to prepare the blacks,
prudence and expediency, and even hu-
mainly may forbid instantaneous manu-
miss ion; but against gradual abolition
no insuperable difficulty can arise.
Let it be remembered that in England
a slave cannot exist. The very moment
a negro sets his foot on the British soil,
by the constitution Of the country, he is
FREE. Even in the'ag Of fcudal bar
barity, when the minds Of men were un-
expanded by that liberality of sentiment
which springs from civilization and re-
fnement-such was the antIpathy in Eng |,
land against private bondage, that the
courts Of law would liberate by construc-
ton. II, for instance, man brought an
action against his villain, or servant, !,
was presumed he designed to manumi,
him, and upon that ground alone bond
men were declared free. Talk no more
then about the oppression of the British
government while you have slavery in
your own--a slavery worse than the most
absolute unconditional servitude that