The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-08-28

the disgrace and ruin of our own nature
II we are capable Of it, we may ever after
claim kindred with the brutes. and renounce
our own superior dignity. From Our def
milton it will appear, that slave is a crea
ture made after the image of Con, and ac
coun,able TO him for the maintenance Of
innocence and purity bu, by law reduced
TO liableness TO be debauched by men,
without any prospect or hope Of redress.
That slave is made after the image of
Cop. no Christian will deny that a slave
is absolutely subjected to be debauched by
men, ia so apparent from the nature OF
slavery, that it needs no proof. This is
evidently The unhappy case of female slaves;
numbe. OF whom have been remarkable
for their chastity and modesty. If their
master attempt their chastity, they dare nei-
ther resist nor complain. If another man
should make the attempt, though resistance
may not he 80 dangerous, complaints are
equally vain. They canno, be heard in
their own defence; their testimony cannon
be admitted. The injurious person has
right TO be heard, may accuse the innocent
sufferer Of malicious SANDER, and have her
severely chastised
4 vlrtuouS woman, and vrlnous Africans
no doubt there are, esteems her chastity
above every other thing; some have pre-
fened it even TO their lives: then forcibly TO
deprive her of this. is treating her with the
greatest injustice. Therefore, since law
leaves the chastity Of female slave entirely
IN the power OF her master, and greatly in
the power Of Others, it permits the injustice,
II provides no remedy; il refuses 10 redress
this insufierable grievance; it denies even
the small privilege Of complaining.
From our definition it will follow. that q
slave is free moral agent legally deprived
OF Tree agency, and obliged to act according
TO the will OF another free agent of the
same species: and yet he is accountable 10
bis Creator for the use he makes of his own
free agency.
When a man, though he can exist. indie
pendent OF another. cannot act independent
OF hlm, ms agency must depend upon the
will Of that orner; and therefore he is de-
prved of his free agency: and yet, as a free
agent, he is accountable 10 his Maker for
all the deeds done in the body. This
comes TO pas through great omission and
inc consistency in the legislature. They
ought farther TO have enacted, in order 10
have been consistent, that be should not be
accountable for any of his actions but
that his master should answer for hun in all
things, here and hereafter.
That a slave has the capacities OF a free
moral agent will be allowed by all. That
ne is, in many instances, deprived by law
of the exercise of these powers, evidently
appears from bis situation That he is ac-
oountable to his Maker for his conduct,
will be allowed by those. who do not be
lieve that human legislatures are omnipo-
tent, and can free men from their allegiance
and subsection to the King Of heaven.
The principles of oonngal love and
fidelity in The bS.ast Of a viriuous pair, of
natural affectop in parents, and sense of
duty in chhiren, are inscribed there by the
finger Of GoD they are the laws Of heaven:
but an enslaving law directly opposes them,
and virtually forbids obedience. The rela-
ton Of husband and wife, of parent and
child, are formed by divine authority, and
founded on the laws of nature. But it is
in the power Of a cruel master, and often
OF a needy creditor. TO break these tender
connections, and forever to separate these
dearest relatives. This is ever done, in fact,
at the call of interest and humor. The
poor sufferers may eXpostulate; they may
plead; may plead with tears their hearts
may break hut all in vain. The laws OF
nature are violated, the tender ties are dis
solved, final separation takes place, and
the duties of these relations can no longer
be performed, nor their comforts enjoyed.
Would these slaves perform the duties OF
husband and wives, parents and children
the law disables them, il puts it altogether
out of their power
In these cases, it is evident that the laws
of nature, or the laws of man, are wrong
and which, none will be at a loss to Judge
The divine law says, Whom God hath
Joined together, let no man put asunder
the law of man saws to the master OF the
slave. Though the divine law has Joined
them together, you may put them asundel
when you please. The divine law says
Train up your child in the way he should
go the law Of man says, You shall mo-
train up your child, but as your master
thinks proper The divine law SAYS
Honor your father and mother. and obey
them in all things: but the law Of mar
says, Honor ard obey your master in al
things, and your parents Just as far as hi
shall direct you.
Should master command his slave tC
steal or rob, and he should presume to dis
obey, he is liable to suffer every eXtremit,
of punishment short of death or amputa
ton, from the hand Of his master; at thu
same time he is liable to punishment
equally severe, If not death itself, should h
obey.
He is bound by law, if his master pleas
es, to do that, for which the law condemn
him to death.
Another consequence Of our definition is
that slave, being free moral agent, ant
an accountable creature, is a capable sub
ject Of religion and morality; but deprve'
by law of the means of instruction in tn
doctrines and duties Of morality any farthe
> than his master pleases.
Ii is in the power Of the master to de
pnve him of all the means of religious an
= moral instruction either in private or il
public. Some masters have actually exel