The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-04-27
For the Voice of Freedom.
Mr.. KNAPP I:

MIR. KNAPP
Somewhere | have seen an historical anecdote
of the following import When Alexander the
Great had extended his conquests over Egypt a
prince of that country stated that many years be-
FORE the Jews borrowed of his ancestors raiment,
and gold, and jewels, which they had never re-
turned; he therefore requested Alexander to COM
pei the Jews to pay the debt. Alexander said he
would inquire into the business, and would see
that justice was done. He then inquired of the
Jews, who stated that the Egyptians owed their
fathers for many years services and that they
were willing to submit to his decision, provided
the Egyptian prince would do the same. Alex
ander then called the prince, and stated that, as
he claimed remuneration from the Jews, it appear
ed to be just that he should engage to pay them
their just demands, provided the balance should
be in their fovor. To this the prince assented.-
Appeal was then made to the writings of Moses.
An estimate was made of the goods borrowed
The labor of the Israelites was then calculated
and the king was ready to declare the result, and
require the Prince to pay over the balance to the
Jews. But the Prince was gone, had fed for his
life. The case was now altered, and he, who de-
manded justice from others, was now unwilling
to render justice to others. He was willing to
fleece his neighbor, but not to pay him for his hard
labor.
Mr. Clay, in his speech, has made demand
in the name of shareholders for compensation from
~ e
estimates at 1,20OOOOO0O dollars, which he thinks
abolitionists ought to pay to the shareholders, if
the slaves are set free Now if Mr.. Clay and his
slaveholding friends will consent to meet the ques
ton as fairly as the Egyptian Prince did, will
engage for the aboItionists that they will join is
sue with him, and abide the result. Has Mr.. Clay
magnanmty enough to meet us on this equitable
ground Or does his sense of justice all look one
way? We put him and his friends to the trial.
We invite them to settlement. Let the accounts
be liquidated. If the balance be against abolition
lists, we will pay it, provided Mr.. Clay will pledge
himselfto pay the balance should it appear against
shareholders. On these terms we cheerfuy meet
the honorable Senator from Kentucky. He has
stated his demand. We file in our account.
He says there are three millions of slaves. We
will suppose, that one million are children and
invalids, who can earn nothing and for them we
make no charge. One million we will consider
females, who earn only fifty dollars a year, and
will allow twenty dollars for food and clothing,
which is undoubtedly very large allowance
There will then be one million able bodied men
able to earn two hundred dollars in many cases
We will put them at one hundred dollars each for
the year, and will also allow twenty dollars year
for board and clothing. And we will only charge
for forty years service: whereas many of them
have served fifty or sixty years. One million at
80 dollars year equal to thirty millions; 100000
600 multiplied by 40 equal to 1,200,00000O, the
amount of female labor for forty years. Interest
on this for half the time twenty years say AGO.
100000 2,640,0000 large sum to be ex-
tracted from the bones, and snews, and sweat, and
blood of females in 40 years. One million ofmales
at so dollars beside board, &C. will be SO000,000.
This multiplied by 40 will be 3,200,000,000. In
erest on this sum for 20 years 3,S46,OOO,00O.
Amount of male labor for 40 years and interest
7,040,000000. The whole amount Of labor g.
6S0,000,000. From this deduct Mr.. Clay's de-
mand, 1,200,000000, and there remains $780,
100000 balance against Mr. Clay, & Co., and in
favor Of abolitionists. This sum divided among
three million of slaves would give 1896 to each
man, woman, and child-a pretty sum to begin
with.
The honorable gentleman from Kentucky is too
high minded to run awayas the Egyptian Prince
did. He and his slavehoding friends must toe
the mark tbs, gentlemen debt of honor. You
have made the demand. We have met you at
your call, have presented the balance sheet, and
find you in debt eight billions, four hundred and
eighty millions of dollars, after allowing you your
full charge for all the property you claim in your
Come forward Gentlemen and pay
the Balance. We have no Alexander to compel
you to make payment, or give bonds. We appeal :
hen to your own honorable feelings, to your sense