Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-07-04

not the Rule under which even DR.. Fuller holds
his slaves. However kind he may be, and how
ever satisfied they may be under his pnternal care,
should he be involved in debt, the laws under
which he holds his christian slaves would place
them on the auction stand, and transfer them to
the highest bidder, without any regard to their ia
mily connections, or future destination. Even the
lambs of Christ's fold, to whom the DR.. has bro
ken the Bread of Life, might be sold 10 an atheist,
driven as beasts to Louisiana, and die in the rice
swamps Of a cruel master Or should he die in
testate the slaves he has cherished as members of
Christ's body would descend to his legal heirs,
whether wise men or fools; and by them might be
sold as sheen or horses. Such is the Rule by
which DR.. Fuller, and every Christian master at
| the South holds his slaves. And this rule looks
50 much like Roman slave laws, that no one can
doubt its origin. Surely it came from Rome, and
the apostles would have extirpated it at once from
the church. So that after all, slavery is slavery,
and this slave system of equity and lore places the
slave, and his muster too, where the Roman sys-
tenn placed them. Here then we see one feature
Of southern slave laws, and we shall present some
others by referring to some of the slave laws, as re-
ported in the AntisIaycry Manuel.
What is American or southern slavery Ar
swer-it is that system Of oppression in these
States, which sezes, claims, holds, aud treats hu-
man beings as property, belonging to others, and
subject to all the conditions or accidents, which at
tach 20 other property "a Save Is one Cho is in The
po,cer ola master, 10 1Ohom he belongs. The mas
ter may sell him, dispose Qfhis person, lis indus
try, and his labor; he do nothing, possess moth
ing, nor acquire anything dM schat mast belong 10
his master. "-Louisana Code.
Goods the slaves are" says the Civil Code,
''and goods they shall be esteemed. "-Tqylor's
Elements, p. 429.
Slaves shall be deemed sold, taken, and re-
y pued to be chattes personal in the hands of their
=. owners aud possessors, their executors, admins
traitors, and assigns to all intents, constructions
a and purposes whatsoever. laws of $. Carolina.
y Stroud, p. 22-3.
r In Louisiana slaves are decIard real estate, s.
e such may be mortgaged. Such is, with some va
ration the general character Of the laws respect
ing slaves ut the South. They are placed as much
in the hands, and under the dominion of the mas
ter, as horses or any other property, and may be.
II punished fthey attempt defend their persons,
E or their rights. Hence it appears, that the disn-
), gushing princpl of southern slavery is this-
III Slaves are not to be ranked among rational beings
but they are to be claimed held, and treated, as
things, as articles Of property, TO all intents, con-
v sructions and purposes whatsoever.
lie This system Of injustice, oppression and cruel
ty with all its legitimate consequences aud results
le is what | mean by southern slavery. This is
If essentially the old Roman system. This is the
p system that has been fully adopted in the south
A. churches, and under every southern christian
n holds his slaves. And this is the system with
which northern churc hes too generally in fe
x iowshp. 1t was once said, "haye no fellowship
lie with the unfrulul works Of darkness, but rather
oS reproye them" Eph. 5: II. Has this command
o. ceased to be binding upon the churches: May
ne christians now be partakers Of other mems sins
lg Has the grand test of allegiance to Jesus Chris
Id been so modified that his protested disciples are
w no longer bound to keep his commands Are the
ry churches no longer bound to hear what the spiri
r. saith unto them? Do not the signs Of the times
he udmonish all the churches to listen with profoun
Dg respect to Him, Who saith, Behold! come
tn thief BIesseds he that watcheth and keepeth hi
nd garments, lest he walk Naked and they see hi
Cd shame?" Rev. 16: Is. Can that man, or tina
h church be waiting, prepared to meet Christ, whc
&c, is IN close connexion with system of injustice
AN and cruelty, no less offensive to God, than the Re
ell man system of slavery, which the apostles ertir
is, pated al once from among all those ChO receive
ad The gospel Let all, who fear God, and wait
,ut ing fer the coming of our Lord Jesus, judge 70
ch themselves, and act like wise men,