The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-02-16

Ipo5DAoAS
to wolf, because it wolf piece of esh if he coul
by So doing induce her to release living victim; but coul
not sanction the monsrous nquy of slavery by thus
cognizing in the master right of compensation for resto
ring to the slave the possession of himself
THE ONLY LAWFUL KINDS OF SLAVERY
But it will be said, and it is readily admitted, that on
mans labor may be rghtfuy claimed by another by viz
tue Off contract for that purpose nay it will be conceded
that for an adequate consideration may bind himsel
TO another during his natural life. Children and ap
prentices, for prescribed term, are, in certain sense
slaves; and many become slaves to the state for term
years. and some for life, punishment for their crimes
There is therefore, condition of slavery recognized by
the laws of all civilized nations these various instances
and for sufficient and obvious reasons From these admis
sons have had the weakness to argue that can
distinguish between the different kinds of slavery and
iii be right in instances, it may be right in all.
This kind of reasoning is illogical and perverse. 1t
empts from admitted exception, overthrow gener-
al rule; and passing the prominent features of slavery
its being involuntary, and not induced by crime, arrives
at the conclusion without any regard to important part
of the premises But notions of this kind unworthy of
labored argument Simply stating them, suggests full
refutation
ORIGIN OF SLAVERY FURNISHES NO JUSTIFICATION.
1t is further urged that slaves are, originally,
mostly obtained in wa-the defeated party having their
lives, which forfeited to their captors, spared con-
don of becoming slaves, and bringing all their posterty
into the state. The fact is not denied but the hy
pothesis which us6es slavery attempted to be drawn
from IT, is In the first place, the life of pris-
oner Of war; is, in no sense, forfeited to his captor Sc
condy it were, he has not the free exercise of his will
to make contract for its redemption. Duress vitiates
cry engagement his part. Thirdly, tho he might sell
himself into slavery, he has such power his pos
terty By what rule of morality them principle of in
ternaona law the hard condition of perpetual servi
tude imposed
In all public wars distinct from cases of instruction
rebellion, the great body of the combaans cannot be
personally guilty of any offence. They have not injured
those who against them they have violated any
national compact treaty, rendered themselves liable
as outlaws pirates They have, perhaps, with the
greatest reluctance taken up in obedience to the
mand of sovereign whom they dare not disobey They
may be very sensible they in the wrong and would
gladly shun the contest, if possible, without mourning
greater danger How then can they, captured be right
fully reduced to the condition of slaves! This would be
the infection Of punishment upon the innocent and unfor
tunae, which justice forbids Whatever might have
been considered the right of the victor the vanqushed
public wars, it is believed the modern begerent code
sanguinary and repulsve may be in many respects
certainly requires that prisoners when their power of
nurng their captors ceases, should be restored liberty
No nation, raised in knowledge and refinement above the
condition of barbasm has for centuries subjected its prs
oners to condition of servitude
LEGAL ENAcTMENTs FURNISH QUALIFICATION.
But with many, the justification of slavery is urged
from the in which it first introduced, from
The pretended right of property which masters have acqu
red in their saves but rather from the laws which recog
nze this relation, and prescribe the duties and rights of
the respective parties. The to this Isl law can
be binding, afford any justification for con-
duct which is contrary to the law of God, all be
which subversive of the rights of We have it
from high authority that all just powers of government
derived from the consent of the governed but the
governed in this instance, the slaUes have never given
their CONSENT any whatever to the Legislatures
of their respective States and enforce those barba
rous laws which dves them of their rights Should their
consent be required and their will be permitted to operate
upon these laws; in other WORDS should the principle
that the 'maoIity ought to govern prevai-then in South
Carolina at least should be permitted to learn the es
mate which the slaves put upon the Draconian code which
denies them the attributes of Should this denial
prove unfounded in JUSTICE opportunity would be fur
nished for South Carolina jubilee her favorite doc
trine, notification, would be tested by immediate and
practical illustration
But if such laws justify slavery then the regulations of
band of pirates for the time being, and with respect to
the life death of those who may be in their power, must
also afford them justification. If state make laws
subectng portion Of its people to slavery, then the
principle, smaller community, family or any
Der of individuals, may do the same. If state is sovereign
are the other bodies named long their right thus
to egsate, is uncontested.
If the laws of the state give John c. Calhoun or George
McDue property in slaves and Justify them in the
ment which slaves ordinarily receive from their masters
then Sambo and Cesar in other place. where they
the time being exercise sovereign power may make law
authorizing themselves either of them to catch the said
John c. or George and reduce them a similar condition.
But all such laws resting only physical strength
without the necessary basis of moral power equally in
valid, whether put forth by man. or one million.
LAWS THE STATES OF BARBARY
The principle now under consideration identical with