The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-08-28
YER, kacsssisseas with Sssssce asS
Good Policy,

Good Policy,
ured bv a Speech Delivered in the Con-
ren,ion, held at Danriile, Kentuoky
- The Rer. Dawn RIcE-l.92.
IN. CHAIRMAN: | rise, sir, in the sup
of the motion now before you. But
-sxence for this body, the novelty OF
hi situation, the great importance
Eiculty Of this subject, and the
i of being opposed by gentlemen OF
eatest abilities, has too sensible an
ession or my mind. But, sir, | know
.,cb Of nv natural timidity, which in
ses with years, that | loresaw this would
4 the case, L therefore prepared speech
for the occasion.
Sir. | have lived free, and in many re.
spects happy for nearly sixty years: but my
happness has been greatly diminished, for
much of the time, by hearing great part
OF the human species groanlng under the
calling woke of bondage. In this time |
lost a venerable father, a tender mother,
two aff.ct;onate sisters. and beloved first
born son: but all these together have not
!. cost me half the anxiety as has been occa-
stoned hy this wretched situation Of my fell
low-men. whom without blush | call my
brethren. When | consider their deplora-
| bic state. and who are the cause of their
misery: the load of misery that lies on
them: it fills NV soul with anguish.
view their distresses; read the anger OF
Heaven: believe that il should not exert
myself when, and as far, is in power,
in order 10 relieve them, should he par
tsker OF the guilt.
Sir, the question is, Whether Slavery is
consistent with Justice and good policy
Bu, before this is answered. il may be
necessary to enquire, what slave is
4 slave is a human creature made by
law the property of another human creature,
end reduced BY mere power 10 an absolute
unconditional Subsection to his will.
This definition will be allowed TO be
Just, with only this one exception, that the
law dooS not leave the life and the limbs OF
the slave entirely in the masters power
and from il may be inferred several melan-
choly truths. which will include sufiicien,
answer to the main question.
In order to a right view of this subject,
would observe that there are some cases,
where man may Justly be made a slave
by law. By vicious conduct he may for
felt his freedom: he may forfeit his life.
Where this Is the case, and the safety Of
the public may be secured By reducing the
offender TO a state OF slavery. it will be
night il nav be an act of kindness. In nc
other case. if my conceptions are Just, can
il be vindicated on principles of Justice or
humanity
Is creatures Of Cop We are. with respect
10 liberty. all equal II one has night Il
live among his fellow creatures, and enjoy
his freedom. 50 has another: if one has a
night TO ENJOY that property he acquires by
en- honest industry. 50 has another if
BY force take that from another, which he
has Just right 10 according 20 the law o.
nature, (Which Is a divine law which he
ms never forfeited, and to which he has
never Telinquished his claim. | a9rertainly
guilty Of injustice and robbery and when
toe thing taken is the mans liberty, wher
It Is himself, It is the greatest injustice.
InJuIo HIM much more, than if | robbed hin
Of his property on the highway In thu.
case, 1t does not belong to him to prove 9
negative, but to me TO prove that such for
!elture las been made; because, if it ha.
not, he Is certain y still the proprietor. Al
he has TO do is 10 ,hew the insufficiency O
my proofs.
4 slave claims his freedom; he plead.
that he Is man, that he was by natlIr,
lice, that he has not forfeited his freedom
nor rel.nquished it. Now unless his maste
can prove that be is not a man. that he wa.
not BON free, or that he has forfeited or re
hnqulShed his freedom, be must be iudget
lice; the justice of his claim must be &C
knowledgcd. His being long deprived o
ms night, by force or fraud, does not ami
hlaie ii; II remains: il is still his right
when rob man OF his property, leav,
MN hls liberty, and capacity of scquirin,
Sid possessing more property but when
SaePrve him of his liberty, also depriv,
hln oil his capacity; therefore | do him
greater injury, when | deprive him of hi
liberty, than when | rob him of his proper
y. 1t is in vain for me TO plead that
nave The sanction of law; for this make
uie injury the greater, it arms the commu
my against HIM, 1t makes his case desperate
II my definition Of slave is true, he
rational creature reduced by the power @
legislation TO the state Of brute, and there
Dy deprived of every privilege Of humanity
except as above, that he may minister 10 III
ease luxury, lust, pride, or avarice of ar
o'her, no better than himself.
We only want a law enacted that n
owner OF brute, nor other person, Shout
NIL or dismember il, and then in law III
case OIL slave and brute is in most respect
parallel; and where they differ. the state {
me brute is to be preferred. The bru,
hiay steal Or rob, to supply his hunger; III
i@S Goes not condemn him to die for h
oicnce, 1t only permits his death but II
save though in the most starving condi,io,
odIe not do either, on penalty Of death {
S-ne severe punishment.
Is here any need of arguments to prov,
aia' II is IN high degree unjust and crue
reduce one human creature TO sucb a
doect wretched state as this. that he ma
minister to the ease, luxury, or avarice
a"V'her Has not that other the same rie
y nave HIM reduced to this state. that
I,ay minister to his interest or pleasure
oh what Is this right founded7 When,
was II derived! Did il come from he.yo,
Garth m