第10章

IhaveoftenthoughtIshouldliketoexplaintoyouthegroundsuponwhichIhavejustifiedmyselfinrunningawayfromyou。I

amalmostashamedtodosonow，forbythistimeyoumayhavediscoveredthemyourself。Iwill，however，glanceatthem。Whenyetbutachildaboutsixyearsold，Iimbibedthedeterminationtorunaway。Theveryfirstmental<332>effortthatInowrememberonmypart，wasanattempttosolvethemystery——whyamIaslave？andwiththisquestionmyyouthfulmindwastroubledformanydays，pressinguponmemoreheavilyattimesthanothers。WhenIsawtheslave-driverwhipaslave-woman，cutthebloodoutofherneck，andheardherpiteouscries，Iwentawayintothecornerofthefence，weptandponderedoverthemystery。

Ihad，throughsomemedium，Iknownotwhat，gotsomeideaofGod，theCreatorofallmankind，theblackandthewhite，andthathehadmadetheblackstoservethewhitesasslaves。Howhecoulddothisandbe_good_，Icouldnottell。Iwasnotsatisfiedwiththistheory，whichmadeGodresponsibleforslavery，foritpainedmegreatly，andIhaveweptoveritlongandoften。Atonetime，yourfirstwife，Mrs。Lucretia，heardmesighingandsawmesheddingtears，andaskedofmethematter，butIwasafraidtotellher。Iwaspuzzledwiththisquestion，tillonenightwhilesittinginthekitchen，IheardsomeoftheoldslavestalkingoftheirparentshavingbeenstolenfromAfricabywhitemen，andweresoldhereasslaves。Thewholemysterywassolvedatonce。Verysoonafterthis，myAuntJinnyandUncleNoahranaway，andthegreatnoisemadeaboutitbyyourfather-in-law，mademeforthefirsttimeacquaintedwiththefact，thattherewerefreestatesaswellasslavestates。

Fromthattime，IresolvedthatIwouldsomedayrunaway。ThemoralityoftheactIdisposeofasfollows:Iammyself；youareyourself；wearetwodistinctpersons，equalpersons。Whatyouare，Iam。Youareaman，andsoamI。Godcreatedboth，andmadeusseparatebeings。Iamnotbynaturebondtoyou，oryoutome。Naturedoesnotmakeyourexistencedependuponme，orminetodependuponyours。Icannotwalkuponyourlegs，oryouuponmine。Icannotbreatheforyou，oryouforme；Imustbreatheformyself，andyouforyourself。Wearedistinctpersons，andareeachequallyprovidedwithfacultiesnecessarytoourindividualexistence。Inleavingyou，Itooknothingbutwhatbelongedtome，andinnowaylessenedyourmeansforobtainingan_honest_living。Yourfacultiesremainedyours，andminebecameusefultotheirrightfulowner。Ithereforeseenowronginanypartofthetransaction。Itistrue，Iwentoffsecretly；butthatwasmoreyourfaultthanmine。HadIletyouintothesecret，youwouldhavedefeatedtheenterpriseentirely；

butforthis，Ishouldhavebeenreallygladtohavemadeyouacquaintedwithmyintentionstoleave。

YoumayperhapswanttoknowhowIlikemypresentcondition。I

amfreetosay，IgreatlypreferittothatwhichIoccupiedinMaryland。Iam，however，bynomeansprejudicedagainstthestateassuch。Itsgeography，climate，fertility，andproducts，aresuchastomakeitavery<333>desirableabodeforanyman；

andbutfortheexistenceofslaverythere，itisnotimpossiblethatImightagaintakeupmyabodeinthatstate。ItisnotthatIloveMarylandless，butfreedommore。Youwillbesurprisedtolearnthatpeopleatthenorthlaborunderthestrangedelusionthatiftheslaveswereemancipatedatthesouth，theywouldflocktothenorth。Sofarfromthisbeingthecase，inthatevent，youwouldseemanyoldandfamiliarfacesbackagaintothesouth。Thefactis，therearefewherewhowouldnotreturntothesouthintheeventofemancipation。Wewanttoliveinthelandofourbirth，andtolayourbonesbythesideofourfathers；andnothingshortofanintenseloveofpersonalfreedomkeepsusfromthesouth。Forthesakeofthis，mostofuswouldliveonacrustofbreadandacupofcoldwater。

SinceIleftyou，Ihavehadarichexperience。IhaveoccupiedstationswhichIneverdreamedofwhenaslave。ThreeoutofthetenyearssinceIleftyou，IspentasacommonlaboreronthewharvesofNewBedford，Massachusetts。ItwasthereIearnedmyfirstfreedollar。Itwasmine。IcouldspenditasIpleased。

Icouldbuyhamsorherringwithit，withoutaskinganyoddsofanybody。Thatwasapreciousdollartome。YourememberwhenI

usedtomakeseven，oreight，orevenninedollarsaweekinBaltimore，youwouldtakeeverycentofitfrommeeverySaturdaynight，sayingthatIbelongedtoyou，andmyearningsalso。I

neverlikedthisconductonyourpart——tosaythebest，Ithoughtitalittlemean。Iwouldnothaveservedyouso。Butletthatpass。IwasalittleawkwardaboutcountingmoneyinNewEnglandfashionwhenIfirstlandedinNewBedford。Icamenearbetrayingmyselfseveraltimes。Icaughtmyselfsayingphip，forfourpence；andatonetimeamanactuallychargedmewithbeingarunaway，whereuponIwassillyenoughtobecomeonebyrunningawayfromhim，forIwasgreatlyafraidhemightadoptmeasurestogetmeagainintoslavery，aconditionIthendreadedmorethandeath。

Isoonlearned，however，tocountmoney，aswellastomakeit，andgotonswimmingly。Imarriedsoonafterleavingyou；infact，IwasengagedtobemarriedbeforeIleftyou；andinsteadoffindingmycompanionaburden，shewastrulyahelpmate。Shewenttoliveatservice，andItoworkonthewharf，andthoughwetoiledhardthefirstwinter，weneverlivedmorehappily。

AfterremaininginNewBedfordforthreeyears，ImetwithWilliamLloydGarrison，apersonofwhomyouhave_possibly_

heard，asheisprettygenerallyknownamongslaveholders。HeputitintomyheadthatImightmakemyselfserviceabletothecauseoftheslave，bydevotingaportionofmytimetotellingmyownsorrows，andthoseofotherslaves，whichhadcomeundermyobservation。This<334>wasthecommencementofahigherstateofexistencethananytowhichIhadeveraspired。Iwasthrownintosocietythemostpure，enlightened，andbenevolent，thatthecountryaffords。AmongtheseIhaveneverforgottenyou，buthaveinvariablymadeyouthetopicofconversation——thusgivingyouallthenotorietyIcoulddo。Ineednottellyouthattheopinionformedofyouinthesecirclesisfarfrombeingfavorable。Theyhavelittlerespectforyourhonesty，andlessforyourreligion。

ButIwasgoingontorelatetoyousomethingofmyinterestingexperience。IhadnotlongenjoyedtheexcellentsocietytowhichIhavereferred，beforethelightofitsexcellenceexertedabeneficialinfluenceonmymindandheart。Muchofmyearlydislikeofwhitepersonswasremoved，andtheirmanners，habits，andcustoms，soentirelyunlikewhatIhadbeenusedtointhekitchen-quartersontheplantationsofthesouth，fairlycharmedme，andgavemeastrongdisrelishforthecoarseanddegradingcustomsofmyformercondition。Ithereforemadeaneffortsotoimprovemymindanddeportment，astobesomewhatfittedtothestationtowhichIseemedalmostprovidentiallycalled。Thetransitionfromdegradationtorespectabilitywasindeedgreat，andtogetfromonetotheotherwithoutcarryingsomemarksofone"sformercondition，istrulyadifficultmatter。IwouldnothaveyouthinkthatIamnowentirelyclearofallplantationpeculiarities，butmyfriendshere，whiletheyentertainthestrongestdisliketothem，regardmewiththatcharitytowhichmypastlifesomewhatentitlesme，sothatmyconditioninthisrespectisexceedinglypleasant。Sofarasmydomesticaffairsareconcerned，Icanboastofascomfortableadwellingasyourown。Ihaveanindustriousandneatcompanion，andfourdearchildren——theoldestagirlofnineyears，andthreefineboys，theoldesteight，thenextsix，andtheyoungestfouryearsold。

Thethreeoldestarenowgoingregularlytoschool——twocanreadandwrite，andtheothercanspell，withtolerablecorrectness，wordsoftwosyllables。Dearfellows！theyareallincomfortablebeds，andaresoundasleep，perfectlysecureundermyownroof。Therearenoslaveholdersheretorendmyheartbysnatchingthemfrommyarms，orblastamother"sdearesthopesbytearingthemfromherbosom。Thesedearchildrenareours——nottoworkupintorice，sugar，andtobacco，buttowatchover，regard，andprotect，andtorearthemupinthenurtureandadmonitionofthegospel——totrainthemupinthepathsofwisdomandvirtue，and，asfaraswecan，tomakethemusefultotheworldandtothemselves。Oh！sir，aslaveholderneverappearstomesocompletelyanagentofhell，aswhenIthinkofandlookuponmydearchildren。Itisthenthatmyfeelingsriseabovemycontrol。Imeanttohavesaidmorewithrespecttomyownprosperityandhappiness，butthoughtsandfeel<335>ingswhichthisrecitalhasquickened，unfitmetoproceedfurtherinthatdirection。Thegrimhorrorsofslaveryriseinalltheirghastlyterrorbeforeme；thewailsofmillionspiercemyheartandchillmyblood。Irememberthechain，thegag，thebloodywhip；thedeath-likegloomovershadowingthebrokenspiritofthefetteredbondman；theappallingliabilityofhisbeingtornawayfromwifeandchildren，andsoldlikeabeastinthemarket。Saynotthatthisisapictureoffancy。YouwellknowthatIwearstripesonmyback，inflictedbyyourdirection；andthatyou，whilewewerebrothersinthesamechurch，causedthisrighthand，withwhichI

amnowpenningthisletter，tobecloselytiedtomyleft，andmypersondragged，atthepistol"smouth，fifteenmiles，fromtheBaySidetoEaston，tobesoldlikeabeastinthemarket，fortheallegedcrimeofintendingtoescapefromyourpossession。

Allthis，andmore，youremember，andknowtobeperfectlytrue，notonlyofyourself，butofnearlyalloftheslaveholdersaroundyou。

Atthismoment，youareprobablytheguiltyholderofatleastthreeofmyowndearsisters，andmyonlybrother，inbondage。

Theseyouregardasyourproperty。Theyarerecordedonyourledger，orperhapshavebeensoldtohumanflesh-mongers，withaviewtofillingourownever-hungrypurse。Sir，Idesiretoknowhowandwherethesedearsistersare。Haveyousoldthem？oraretheystillinyourpossession？Whathasbecomeofthem？aretheylivingordead？Andmydearoldgrandmother，whomyouturnedoutlikeanoldhorsetodieinthewoods——isshestillalive？Writeandletmeknowallaboutthem。Ifmygrandmotherbestillalive，sheisofnoservicetoyou，forbythistimeshemustbenearlyeightyyearsold——toooldtobecaredforbyonetowhomshehasceasedtobeofservice；sendhertomeatRochester，orbringhertoPhiladelphia，anditshallbethecrowninghappinessofmylifetotakecareofherinheroldage。Oh！shewastomeamotherandafather，sofarashardtoilformycomfortcouldmakehersuch。Sendmemygrandmother！thatImaywatchoverandtakecareofherinheroldage。Andmysisters——letmeknowallaboutthem。Iwouldwritetothem，andlearnallIwanttoknowofthem，withoutdisturbingyouinanyway，butthat，throughyourunrighteousconduct，theyhavebeenentirelydeprivedofthepowertoreadandwrite。Youhavekepttheminutterignorance，andhavethereforerobbedthemofthesweetenjoymentsofwritingorreceivinglettersfromabsentfriendsandrelatives。Yourwickednessandcruelty，committedinthisrespectonyourfellow-

creatures，aregreaterthanallthestripesyouhavelaiduponmybackortheirs。Itisanoutrageuponthesoul，awarupontheimmortalspirit，andoneforwhichyoumustgiveaccountatthebarofourcommonFatherandCreator。

<336>

Theresponsibilitywhichyouhaveassumedinthisregardistrulyawful，andhowyoucouldstaggerunderitthesemanyyearsismarvelous。Yourmindmusthavebecomedarkened，yourhearthardened，yourconsciencesearedandpetrified，oryouwouldhavelongsincethrownofftheaccursedload，andsoughtreliefatthehandsofasin-forgivingGod。How，letmeask，wouldyoulookuponme，wereI，somedarknight，incompanywithabandofhardenedvillains，toentertheprecinctsofyourelegantdwelling，andseizethepersonofyourownlovelydaughter，Amanda，andcarryherofffromyourfamily，friends，andallthelovedonesofheryouth——makehermyslave——compelhertowork，andItakeherwages——placehernameonmyledgerasproperty——

disregardherpersonalrights——fetterthepowersofherimmortalsoulbydenyinghertherightandprivilegeoflearningtoreadandwrite——feedhercoarsely——clotheherscantily，andwhipheronthenakedbackoccasionally；more，andstillmorehorrible，leaveherunprotected——adegradedvictimtothebrutallustoffiendishoverseers，whowouldpollute，blight，andblastherfairsoul——robherofalldignity——destroyhervirtue，andannihilateinherpersonallthegracesthatadornthecharacterofvirtuouswomanhood？Iask，howwouldyouregardme，ifsuchweremyconduct？Oh！thevocabularyofthedamnedwouldnotaffordawordsufficientlyinfernaltoexpressyourideaofmyGod-

provokingwickedness。Yet，sir，yourtreatmentofmybelovedsistersisinallessentialpointspreciselylikethecaseIhavenowsupposed。Damningaswouldbesuchadeedonmypart，itwouldbenomoresothanthatwhichyouhavecommittedagainstmeandmysisters。

Iwillnowbringthislettertoaclose；youshallhearfrommeagainunlessyouletmehearfromyou。Iintendtomakeuseofyouasaweaponwithwhichtoassailthesystemofslavery——asameansofconcentratingpublicattentiononthesystem，anddeepeningthehorroroftraffickinginthesoulsandbodiesofmen。IshallmakeuseofyouasameansofexposingthecharacteroftheAmericanchurchandclergy——andasameansofbringingthisguiltynation，withyourself，torepentance。Indoingthis，Ientertainnomalicetowardyoupersonally。Thereisnoroofunderwhichyouwouldbemoresafethanmine，andthereisnothinginmyhousewhichyoumightneedforyourcomfort，whichIwouldnotreadilygrant。Indeed，Ishouldesteemitaprivilegetosetyouanexampleastohowmankindoughttotreateachother。

_Iamyourfellow-man，butnotyourslave_。

THENATUREOFSLAVERY

_ExtractfromaLectureonSlavery，atRochester，December1，1850_

Morethantwentyyearsofmylifewereconsumedinastateofslavery。Mychildhoodwasenvironedbythebanefulpeculiaritiesoftheslavesystem。Igrewuptomanhoodinthepresenceofthishydraheadedmonster——notasamaster——notasanidlespectator——notastheguestoftheslaveholder——butasASLAVE，eatingthebreadanddrinkingthecupofslaverywiththemostdegradedofmybrother-bondmen，andsharingwiththemallthepainfulconditionsoftheirwretchedlot。Inconsiderationofthesefacts，IfeelthatIhavearighttospeak，andtospeak_strongly_。Yet，myfriends，Ifeelboundtospeaktruly。

GoadingashavebeenthecrueltiestowhichIhavebeensubjected——bitterashavebeenthetrialsthroughwhichIhavepassed——exasperatingashavebeen，andstillare，theindignitiesofferedtomymanhood——Ifindinthemnoexcusefortheslightestdeparturefromtruthindealingwithanybranchofthissubject。

Firstofall，Iwillstate，aswellasIcan，thelegalandsocialrelationofmasterandslave。Amasterisone——tospeakinthevocabularyofthesouthernstates——whoclaimsandexercisesarightofpropertyinthepersonofafellow-man。

Thishedoeswiththeforceofthelawandthesanctionofsouthernreligion。Thelawgivesthemasterabsolutepowerovertheslave。Hemayworkhim，floghim，hirehimout，sellhim，and，incertaincontingencies，_kill_him，withperfectimpunity。

Theslaveisahumanbeing，divestedofallrights——reducedtothelevelofabrute——amere“chattel“intheeyeofthelaw——

placedbeyondthecircleofhumanbrotherhood——cutofffromhiskind——hisname，whichthe“recordingangel“mayhaveenrolledinheaven，amongtheblest，isimpiouslyinsertedina_master"sledger_，withhorses，sheep，andswine。Inlaw，theslavehasnowife，nochildren，nocountry，andnohome。Hecanownnothing，possessnothing，acquirenothing，butwhatmustbelongtoanother。To<338>eatthefruitofhisowntoil，toclothehispersonwiththeworkofhisownhands，isconsideredstealing。

Hetoilsthatanothermayreapthefruit；heisindustriousthatanothermayliveinidleness；heeatsunboltedmealthatanothermayeatthebreadoffineflour；helaborsinchainsathome，underaburningsunandbitinglash，thatanothermayrideineaseandsplendorabroad；helivesinignorancethatanothermaybeeducated；heisabusedthatanothermaybeexalted；herestshistoil-wornlimbsonthecold，dampgroundthatanothermayreposeonthesoftestpillow；heiscladincoarseandtatteredraimentthatanothermaybearrayedinpurpleandfinelinen；heisshelteredonlybythewretchedhovelthatamastermaydwellinamagnificentmansion；andtothisconditionheisbounddownasbyanarmofiron。

Fromthismonstrousrelationtherespringsanunceasingstreamofmostrevoltingcruelties。Theveryaccompanimentsoftheslavesystemstampitastheoffspringofhellitself。Toensuregoodbehavior，theslaveholderreliesonthewhip；toinduceproperhumility，hereliesonthewhip；torebukewhatheispleasedtoterminsolence，hereliesonthewhip；tosupplytheplaceofwagesasanincentivetotoil，hereliesonthewhip；tobinddownthespiritoftheslave，toimbruteanddestroyhismanhood，hereliesonthewhip，thechain，thegag，thethumb-screw，thepillory，thebowieknifethepistol，andtheblood-hound。Thesearethenecessaryandunvaryingaccompanimentsofthesystem。

Whereverslaveryisfound，thesehorridinstrumentsarealsofound。WhetheronthecoastofAfrica，amongthesavagetribes，orinSouthCarolina，amongtherefinedandcivilized，slaveryisthesame，anditsaccompanimentsoneandthesame。ItmakesnodifferencewhethertheslaveholderworshipstheGodoftheChristians，orisafollowerofMahomet，heistheministerofthesamecruelty，andtheauthorofthesamemisery。_Slavery_

isalways_slavery；_alwaysthesamefoul，haggard，anddamningscourge，whetherfoundintheeasternorinthewesternhemisphere。

Thereisastilldeepershadetobegiventothispicture。Thephysicalcrueltiesareindeedsufficientlyharassingandrevolting；buttheyareasafewgrainsofsandontheseashore，orafewdropsofwaterinthegreatocean，comparedwiththestupendouswrongswhichitinflictsuponthemental，moral，andreligiousnatureofitshaplessvictims。Itisonlywhenwecontemplatetheslaveasamoralandintellectualbeing，thatwecanadequatelycomprehendtheunparalleledenormityofslavery，andtheintensecriminalityoftheslaveholder。Ihavesaidthattheslavewasaman。“Whatapieceofworkisman！Hownobleinreason！Howinfiniteinfaculties！Informandmovinghowexpressandadmirable！Inaction<339>howlikeanangel！InapprehensionhowlikeaGod！Thebeautyoftheworld！Theparagonofanimals！“

Theslaveisaman，“theimageofGod，“but“alittlelowerthantheangels；“possessingasoul，eternalandindestructible；

capableofendlesshappiness，orimmeasurablewoe；acreatureofhopesandfears，ofaffectionsandpassions，ofjoysandsorrows，andheisendowedwiththosemysteriouspowersbywhichmansoarsabovethethingsoftimeandsense，andgrasps，withundyingtenacity，theelevatingandsublimelygloriousideaofaGod。Itis_such_abeingthatissmittenandblasted。Thefirstworkofslaveryistomaranddefacethosecharacteristicsofitsvictimswhichdistinguish_men_from_things_，and_persons_from_property_。Itsfirstaimistodestroyallsenseofhighmoralandreligiousresponsibility。Itreducesmantoameremachine。

ItcutshimofffromhisMaker，ithidesfromhimthelawsofGod，andleaveshimtogropehiswayfromtimetoeternityinthedark，underthearbitraryanddespoticcontrolofafrail，depraved，andsinfulfellow-man。Astheserpent-charmerofIndiaiscompelledtoextractthedeadlyteethofhisvenomouspreybeforeheisabletohandlehimwithimpunity，sotheslaveholdermuststrikedowntheconscienceoftheslavebeforehecanobtaintheentiremasteryoverhisvictim。

Itis，then，thefirstbusinessoftheenslaverofmentoblunt，deaden，anddestroythecentralprincipleofhumanresponsibility。Conscienceis，totheindividualsoul，andtosociety，whatthelawofgravitationistotheuniverse。Itholdssocietytogether；itisthebasisofalltrustandconfidence；itisthepillarofallmoralrectitude。Withoutit，suspicionwouldtaketheplaceoftrust；vicewouldbemorethanamatchforvirtue；menwouldpreyuponeachother，likethewildbeastsofthedesert；andearthwouldbecomea_hell_。

Norisslaverymoreadversetotheconsciencethanitistothemind。Thisisshownbythefact，thatineverystateoftheAmericanUnion，whereslaveryexists，exceptthestateofKentucky，therearelawsabsolutelyprohibitoryofeducationamongtheslaves。Thecrimeofteachingaslavetoreadispunishablewithseverefinesandimprisonment，and，insomeinstances，with_deathitself_。

Norarethelawsrespectingthismatteradeadletter。Casesmayoccurinwhichtheyaredisregarded，andafewinstancesmaybefoundwhereslavesmayhavelearnedtoread；butsuchareisolatedcases，andonlyprovetherule。Thegreatmassofslaveholderslookuponeducationamongtheslavesasutterlysubversiveoftheslavesystem。Iwellrememberwhenmymistressfirstannouncedtomymasterthatshehaddis<340>coveredthatI

couldread。Hisfacecoloredatoncewithsurpriseandchagrin。

Hesaidthat“Iwasruined，andmyvalueasaslavedestroyed；

thataslaveshouldknownothingbuttoobeyhismaster；thattogiveanegroaninchwouldleadhimtotakeanell；thathavinglearnedhowtoread，Iwouldsoonwanttoknowhowtowrite；andthatby-and-byIwouldberunningaway。“Ithinkmyaudiencewillbearwitnesstothecorrectnessofthisphilosophy，andtotheliteralfulfillmentofthisprophecy。

Itisperfectlywellunderstoodatthesouth，thattoeducateaslaveistomakehimdiscontened{sic}withslavery，andtoinvesthimwithapowerwhichshallopentohimthetreasuresoffreedom；andsincetheobjectoftheslaveholderistomaintaincompleteauthorityoverhisslave，hisconstantvigilanceisexercisedtopreventeverythingwhichmilitatesagainst，orendangers，thestabilityofhisauthority。Educationbeingamongthemenacinginfluences，and，perhaps，themostdangerous，is，therefore，themostcautiouslyguardedagainst。

Itistruethatwedonotoftenhearoftheenforcementofthelaw，punishingasacrimetheteachingofslavestoread，butthisisnotbecauseofawantofdispositiontoenforceit。Thetruereasonorexplanationofthematteristhis:thereisthegreatestunanimityofopinionamongthewhitepopulationinthesouthinfavorofthepolicyofkeepingtheslaveinignorance。

Thereis，perhaps，anotherreasonwhythelawagainsteducationissoseldomviolated。Theslaveistoopoortobeabletoofferatemptationsufficientlystrongtoinduceawhitemantoviolateit；anditisnottobesupposedthatinacommunitywherethemoralandreligioussentimentisinfavorofslavery，manymartyrswillbefoundsacrificingtheirlibertyandlivesbyviolatingthoseprohibitoryenactments。

Asageneralrule，then，darknessreignsovertheabodesoftheenslaved，and“howgreatisthatdarkness！“

Wearesometimestoldofthecontentmentoftheslaves，andareentertainedwithvividpicturesoftheirhappiness。Wearetoldthattheyoftendanceandsing；thattheirmastersfrequentlygivethemwherewithtomakemerry；infine，thattheyhavelittleofwhichtocomplain。Iadmitthattheslavedoessometimessing，dance，andappeartobemerry。Butwhatdoesthisprove？

Itonlyprovestomymind，thatthoughslaveryisarmedwithathousandstings，itisnotableentirelytokilltheelasticspiritofthebondman。Thatspiritwillriseandwalkabroad，despiteofwhipsandchains，andextractfromthecupofnatureoccasionaldropsofjoyandgladness。Nothankstotheslaveholder，nortoslavery，thatthe<341>vivaciouscaptivemaysometimesdanceinhischains；hisverymirthinsuchcircumstancesstandsbeforeGodasanaccusingangelagainsthisenslaver。

Itisoftensaid，bytheopponentsoftheanti-slaverycause，thattheconditionofthepeopleofIrelandismoredeplorablethanthatoftheAmericanslaves。FarbeitfrommetounderratethesufferingsoftheIrishpeople。Theyhavebeenlongoppressed；andthesameheartthatpromptsmetopleadthecauseoftheAmericanbondman，makesitimpossibleformenottosympathizewiththeoppressedofalllands。YetImustsaythatthereisnoanalogybetweenthetwocases。TheIrishmanispoor，butheisnotaslave。Hemaybeinrags，butheisnotaslave。

Heisstillthemasterofhisownbody，andcansaywiththepoet，“ThehandofDouglassishisown。““Theworldisallbeforehim，wheretochoose；“andpoorasmaybemyopinionoftheBritishparliament，IcannotbelievethatitwilleversinktosuchadepthofinfamyastopassalawfortherecaptureoffugitiveIrishmen！TheshameandscandalofkidnappingwilllongremainwhollymonopolizedbytheAmericancongress。TheIrishmanhasnotonlythelibertytoemigratefromhiscountry，buthehaslibertyathome。Hecanwrite，andspeak，andcooperatefortheattainmentofhisrightsandtheredressofhiswrongs。

ThemultitudecanassembleuponallthegreenhillsandfertileplainsoftheEmeraldIsle；theycanpourouttheirgrievances，andproclaimtheirwantswithoutmolestation；andthepress，that“swift-wingedmessenger，“canbearthetidingsoftheirdoingstotheextremeboundsofthecivilizedworld。Theyhavetheir“ConciliationHall，“onthebanksoftheLiffey，theirreformclubs，andtheirnewspapers；theypassresolutions，sendforthaddresses，andenjoytherightofpetition。ButhowisitwiththeAmericanslave？Wheremayheassemble？WhereishisConciliationHall？Wherearehisnewspapers？Whereishisrightofpetition？Whereishisfreedomofspeech？hislibertyofthepress？andhisrightoflocomotion？Heissaidtobehappy；

happymencanspeak。Butasktheslavewhatishiscondition——

whathisstateofmind——whathethinksofenslavement？andyouhadaswelladdressyourinquiriestothe_silentdead_。Therecomesno_voice_fromtheenslaved。Wearelefttogatherhisfeelingsbyimaginingwhatourswouldbe，wereoursoulsinhissoul"sstead。

Iftherewerenootherfactdescriptiveofslavery，thanthattheslaveisdumb，thisalonewouldbesufficienttomarktheslavesystemasagrandaggregationofhumanhorrors。

Mostwhoarepresent，willhaveobservedthatleadingmeninthis<342>countryhavebeenputtingforththeirskilltosecurequiettothenation。Asystemofmeasurestopromotethisobjectwasadoptedafewmonthsagoincongress。Theresultofthosemeasuresisknown。Insteadofquiet，theyhaveproducedalarm；

insteadofpeace，theyhavebroughtuswar；andsoitmusteverbe。

Whilethisnationisguiltyoftheenslavementofthreemillionsofinnocentmenandwomen，itisasidletothinkofhavingasoundandlastingpeace，asitistothinkthereisnoGodtotakecognizanceoftheaffairsofmen。Therecanbenopeacetothewickedwhileslaverycontinuesintheland。Itwillbecondemned；andwhileitiscondemnedtherewillbeagitation。

Naturemustceasetobenature；menmustbecomemonsters；

humanitymustbetransformed；Christianitymustbeexterminated；

allideasofjusticeandthelawsofeternalgoodnessmustbeutterlyblottedoutfromthehumansoul——ereasystemsofoulandinfernalcanescapecondemnation，orthisguiltyrepubliccanhaveasound，enduringpeace。

INHUMANITYOFSLAVERY

_ExtractfromALectureonSlavery，atRochester，December8，1850_

Therelationofmasterandslavehasbeencalledpatriarchal，andonlysecondinbenignityandtendernesstothatoftheparentandchild。Thisrepresentationisdoubtlessbelievedbymanynorthernpeople；andthismayaccount，inpart，forthelackofinterestwhichwefindamongpersonswhomweareboundtobelievetobehonestandhumane。What，then，arethefacts？HereIwillnotquotemyownexperienceinslavery；forthisyoumightcallone-sidedtestimony。Iwillnotcitethedeclarationsofabolitionists；fortheseyoumightpronounceexaggerations。I

willnotrelyuponadvertisementscutfromnewspapers；fortheseyoumightcallisolatedcases。ButIwillreferyoutothelawsadoptedbythelegislaturesoftheslavestates。Igiveyousuchevidence，becauseitcannotbeinvalidatednordenied。Iholdinmyhandsundryextractsfromtheslavecodesofourcountry，fromwhichIwillquote。***

Now，iftheforegoingbeanindicationofkindness，_whatiscruelty_？Ifthisbeparentalaffection，_whatisbittermalignity_？Amoreatrociousandblood-thirstystringoflawscouldnotwellbeconceivedof。AndyetIamboundtosaythattheyfallshortofindicatingthehorriblecrueltiesconstantlypracticedintheslavestates。

Iadmitthatthereareindividualslaveholderslesscruelandbarbarousthanisallowedbylaw；buttheseformtheexception。

Themajorityofslaveholdersfinditnecessary，toinsureobedience，attimes，toavailthemselvesoftheutmostextentofthelaw，andmanygobeyondit。Ifkindnessweretherule，weshouldnotseeadvertisementsfillingthecolumnsofalmosteverysouthernnewspaper，offeringlargerewardsforfugitiveslaves，anddescribingthemasbeingbrandedwithirons，loadedwithchains，andscarredbythewhip。Oneofthemosttellingtestimoniesagainstthepretendedkindnessofslaveholders，isthefactthatuncountednumbersoffugitivesarenowinhabitingtheDismalSwamp，preferring<344>theuntamedwildernesstotheircultivatedhomes——choosingrathertoencounterhungerandthirst，andtoroamwiththewildbeastsoftheforest，runningthehazardofbeinghuntedandshotdown，thantosubmittotheauthorityof_kind_masters。

Itellyou，myfriends，humanityisneverdriventosuchanunnaturalcourseoflife，withoutgreatwrong。TheslavefindsmoreofthemilkofhumankindnessinthebosomofthesavageIndian，thanintheheartofhis_Christian_master。Heleavesthemanofthe_bible_，andtakesrefugewiththemanofthe_tomahawk_。Herushesfromtheprayingslaveholderintothepawsofthebear。Hequitsthehomesofmenforthehauntsofwolves。

Hepreferstoencounteralifeoftrial，howeverbitter，ordeath，howeverterrible，todraggingouthisexistenceunderthedominionofthese_kind_masters。

Theapologistsforslaveryoftenspeakoftheabusesofslavery；

andtheytellusthattheyareasmuchopposedtothoseabusesasweare；andthattheywouldgoasfartocorrectthoseabusesandtoamelioratetheconditionoftheslaveasanybody。Theanswertothatviewis，thatslaveryisitselfanabuse；thatitlivesbyabuse；anddiesbytheabsenceofabuse。Grantthatslaveryisright；grantthattherelationsofmasterandslavemayinnocentlyexist；andthereisnotasingleoutragewhichwasevercommittedagainsttheslavebutwhatfindsanapologyintheverynecessityofthecase。Aswesaidbyaslaveholder(theRev。A。G。Few)totheMethodistconference，“Iftherelationberight，themeanstomaintainitarealsoright；“forwithoutthosemeansslaverycouldnotexist。Removethedreadfulscourge——theplaitedthong——thegallingfetter——theaccursedchain——andlettheslaveholderrelysolelyuponmoralandreligiouspower，bywhichtosecureobediencetohisorders，andhowlongdoyousupposeaslavewouldremainonhisplantation？

Thecaseonlyneedstobestated；itcarriesitsownrefutationwithit。

Absoluteandarbitrarypowercanneverbemaintainedbyonemanoverthebodyandsoulofanotherman，withoutbrutalchastisementandenormouscruelty。

Totalkof_kindness_enteringintoarelationinwhichonepartyisrobbedofwife，ofchildren，ofhishardearnings，ofhome，offriends，ofsociety，ofknowledge，andofallthatmakesthislifedesirable，ismostabsurd，wicked，andpreposterous。

Ihaveshownthatslaveryiswicked——wicked，inthatitviolatesthegreatlawofliberty，writtenoneveryhumanheart——wicked，inthatitviolatesthefirstcommandofthedecalogue——wicked，inthatitfostersthemostdisgustinglicentiousness——wicked，inthatitmarsanddefaces<345>theimageofGodbycruelandbarbarousinflictions——wicked，inthatitcontravenesthelawsofeternaljustice，andtramplesinthedustallthehumaneandheavenlypreceptsoftheNewTestament。

TheevilsresultingfromthishugesystemofiniquityarenotconfinedtothestatessouthofMasonandDixon"sline。Itsnoxiousinfluencecaneasilybetracedthroughoutournorthernborders。ItcomesevenasfarnorthasthestateofNewYork。

TracesofitmaybeseeneveninRochester；andtravelershavetoldmeitcastsitsgloomyshadowsacrossthelake，approachingtheveryshoresofQueenVictoria"sdominions。

Thepresenceofslaverymaybeexplainedby——asitistheexplanationof——themobocraticviolencewhichlatelydisgracedNewYork，andwhichstillmorerecentlydisgracedthecityofBoston。Theseviolentdemonstrations，theseoutrageousinvasionsofhumanrights，faintlyindicatethepresenceandpowerofslaveryhere。Itisasignificantfact，thatwhilemeetingsforalmostanypurposeunderheavenmaybeheldunmolestedinthecityofBoston，thatinthesamecity，ameetingcannotbepeaceablyheldforthepurposeofpreachingthedoctrineoftheAmericanDeclarationofIndependence，“thatallmenarecreatedequal。“Thepestiferousbreathofslaverytaintsthewholemoralatmosphereofthenorth，andenervatesthemoralenergiesofthewholepeople。

Themomentaforeignerventuresuponoursoil，anduttersanaturalrepugnancetooppression，thatmomentheismadetofeelthatthereislittlesympathyinthislandforhim。Ifheweregreetedwithsmilesbefore，hemeetswithfrownsnow；anditshallgowellwithhimifhebenotsubjectedtothatpeculiarlyfiningmethodofshowingfealtytoslavery，theassaultsofamob。

Now，willanymantellmethatsuchastateofthingsisnatural，andthatsuchconductonthepartofthepeopleofthenorth，springsfromaconsciousnessofrectitude？No！everyfibreofthehumanheartunitesindetestationoftyranny，anditisonlywhenthehumanmindhasbecomefamiliarizedwithslavery，isaccustomedtoitsinjustice，andcorruptedbyitsselfishness，thatitfailstorecorditsabhorrenceofslavery，anddoesnotexultinthetriumphsofliberty。

Thenorthernpeoplehavebeenlongconnectedwithslavery；theyhavebeenlinkedtoadecayingcorpse，whichhasdestroyedthemoralhealth。Theunionofthegovernment；theunionofthenorthandsouth，inthepoliticalparties；theunioninthereligiousorganizationsoftheland，haveallservedtodeadenthemoralsenseofthenorthernpeople，andtoimpregnatethemwithsentimentsandideasforeverinconflictwithwhatasanationwecall_geniusofAmericaninstitutions_。Rightlyviewed，<346>thisisanalarmingfact，andoughttorallyallthatispure，just，andholyinonedeterminedefforttocrushthemonsterofcorruption，andtoscatter“itsguiltyprofits“tothewinds。Inahighmoralsense，aswellasinanationalsense，thewholeAmericanpeopleareresponsibleforslavery，andmustshare，initsguiltandshame，withthemostobduratemen-

stealersofthesouth。

Whileslaveryexists，andtheunionofthesestatesendures，everyAmericancitizenmustbearthechagrinofhearinghiscountrybrandedbeforetheworldasanationofliarsandhypocrites；andbeholdhischerishedflagpointedatwiththeutmostscornandderision。EvennowanAmerican_abroad_ispointedoutinthecrowd，ascomingfromalandwheremengaintheirfortunesby“thebloodofsouls，“fromalandofslavemarkets，ofblood-hounds，andslave-hunters；and，insomecircles，suchamanisshunnedaltogether，asamoralpest。Isitnottime，then，foreveryAmericantoawake，andinquireintohisdutywithrespecttothissubject？

WendellPhillips——theeloquentNewEnglandorator——onhisreturnfromEurope，in1842，said，“AsIstoodupontheshoresofGenoa，andsawfloatingontheplacidwatersoftheMediterranean，thebeautifulAmericanwarshipOhio，withhermaststaperingproportionatelyaloft，andaneasternsunreflectinghernobleformuponthesparklingwaters，attractingthegazeofthemultitude，myfirstimpulsewasofpride，tothinkmyselfanAmerican；butwhenIthoughtthatthefirsttimethatgallantshipwouldgirdonhergorgeousapparel，andwakefrombeneathhersidesherdormantthunders，itwouldbeindefenseoftheAfricanslavetrade，Iblushedinutter_shame_formycountry。“

Letmesayagain，_slaveryisalikethesinandtheshameoftheAmericanpeople；_itisablotupontheAmericanname，andtheonlynationalreproachwhichneedmakeanAmericanhanghisheadinshame，inthepresenceofmonarchicalgovernments。

Withthisgiganticevilintheland，weareconstantlytoldtolook_athome；_ifwesayoughtagainstcrownedheads，wearepointedtoourenslavedmillions；ifwetalkofsendingmissionariesandbiblesabroad，wearepointedtothreemillionsnowlyinginworsethanheathendarkness；ifweexpressawordofsympathyforKossuthandhisHungarianfugitivebrethren，wearepointedtothathorribleandhell-blackenactment，“thefugitiveslavebill。“

Slaverybluntstheedgeofallourrebukesoftyrannyabroad——thecriticismsthatwemakeuponothernations，onlycallforthridicule，contempt，andscorn。Inaword，wearemadeareproachandaby-wordtoa<347>mockingearth，andwemustcontinuetobesomade，solongasslaverycontinuestopolluteoursoil。

Wehaveheardmuchoflateofthevirtueofpatriotism，theloveofcountry，&c。，andthissentiment，sonaturalandsostrong，hasbeenimpiouslyappealedto，byallthepowersofhumanselfishness，tocherishtheviperwhichisstingingournationallifeaway。Initsname，wehavebeencalledupontodeepenourinfamybeforetheworld，torivetthefettermorefirmlyonthelimbsoftheenslaved，andtobecomeutterlyinsensibletothevoiceofhumanwoethatiswaftedtousoneverysoutherngale。

Wehavebeencalledupon，initsname，todesecrateourwholelandbythefootprintsofslave-hunters，andeventoengageourselvesinthehorriblebusinessofkidnapping。

I，too，wouldinvokethespiritofpatriotism；notinanarrowandrestrictedsense，but，Itrust，withabroadandmanlysignification；nottocoverupournationalsins，buttoinspireuswithsincererepentance；nottohideourshamefromthethe{sic}world"sgaze，bututterlytoabolishthecauseofthatshame；nottoexplainawayourgrossinconsistenciesasanation，buttoremovethehateful，jarring，andincongruouselementsfromtheland；nottosustainanegregiouswrong，buttouniteallourenergiesinthegrandefforttoremedythatwrong。

Iwouldinvokethespiritofpatriotism，inthenameofthelawofthelivingGod，naturalandrevealed，andinthefullbeliefthat“righteousnessexaltethanation，whilesinisareproachtoanypeople。““Hethatwalkethrighteously，andspeakethuprightly；hethatdespiseththegainofoppressions，thatshakethhishandsfromtheholdingofbribes，heshalldwellonhigh，hisplaceofdefenseshallbethemunitionsofrocks，breadshallbegivenhim，hiswatershallbesure。“

Wehavenotonlyheardmuchlatelyofpatriotism，andofitsaidbeinginvokedonthesideofslaveryandinjustice，buttheveryprosperityofthispeoplehasbeencalledintodeafenthemtothevoiceofduty，andtoleadthemonwardinthepathwayofsin。

ThushastheblessingofGodbeenconvertedintoacurse。Inthespiritofgenuinepatriotism，IwarntheAmericanpeople，byallthatisjustandhonorable，toBEWARE！

Iwarnthemthat，strong，proud，andprosperousthoughwebe，thereisapoweraboveusthatcan“bringdownhighlooks；atthebreathofwhosemouthourwealthmaytakewings；andbeforewhomeverykneeshallbow；“andwhocantellhowsoontheavengingangelmaypassoverourland，andthesablebondmennowinchains，maybecometheinstrumentsofournation"schastisement！

Withoutappealingtoanyhigherfeeling，IwouldwarntheAmericanpeople，andtheAmericangovern<348>ment，tobewiseintheirdayandgeneration。Iexhortthemtorememberthehistoryofothernations；andIremindthemthatAmericacannotalwayssit“asaqueen，“inpeaceandrepose；thatprouderandstrongergovernmentsthanthishavebeenshatteredbytheboltsofajustGod；thatthetimemaycomewhenthosetheynowdespiseandhate，maybeneeded；whenthosewhomtheynowcompelbyoppressiontobeenemies，maybewantedasfriends。Whathasbeen，maybeagain。Thereisapointbeyondwhichhumanendurancecannotgo。

Thecrushedwormmayyetturnundertheheeloftheoppressor。I

warnthem，then，withallsolemnity，andinthenameofretributivejustice，_tolooktotheirways；_forinanevilhour，thosesablearmsthathave，forthelasttwocenturies，beenengagedincultivatingandadorningthefairfieldsofourcountry，mayyetbecometheinstrumentsofterror，desolation，anddeath，throughoutourborders。

ItwasthesageoftheOldDominionthatsaid——whilespeakingofthepossibilityofaconflictbetweentheslavesandtheslaveholders——“Godhasnoattributethatcouldtakesideswiththeoppressorinsuchacontest。ItrembleformycountrywhenI

reflectthatGod_isjust_，andthathisjusticecannotsleepforever。“SuchisthewarningvoiceofThomasJefferson；andeveryday"sexperiencesinceitsutteranceuntilnow，confirmsitswisdom，andcommendsitstruth。

WHATTOTHESLAVEISTHE

FOURTHOFJULY？

_ExtractfromanOration，atRochester，July5，1852_

Fellow-Citizens——Pardonme，andallowmetoask，whyamIcalledupontospeakhereto-day？WhathaveI，orthoseIrepresent，todowithyournationalindependence？Arethegreatprinciplesofpoliticalfreedomandofnaturaljustice，embodiedinthatDeclarationofIndependence，extendedtous？andamI，therefore，calledupontobringourhumbleofferingtothenationalaltar，andtoconfessthebenefits，andexpressdevoutgratitudefortheblessings，resultingfromyourindependencetous？

WouldtoGod，bothforyoursakesandours，thatanaffirmativeanswercouldbetruthfullyreturnedtothesequestions！Thenwouldmytaskbelight，andmyburdeneasyanddelightful。Forwhoistheresocoldthatanation"ssympathycouldnotwarmhim？

Whosoobdurateanddeadtotheclaimsofgratitude，thatwouldnotthankfullyacknowledgesuchpricelessbenefits？Whosostolidandselfish，thatwouldnotgivehisvoicetoswellthehallelujahsofanation"sjubilee，whenthechainsofservitudehadbeentornfromhislimbs？Iamnotthatman。Inacaselikethat，thedumbmighteloquentlyspeak，andthe“lamemanleapasanhart。“

But，suchisnotthestateofthecase。Isayitwithasadsenseofthedisparitybetweenus。Iamnotincludedwithinthepaleofthisgloriousanniversary！Yourhighindependenceonlyrevealstheimmeasurabledistancebetweenus。Theblessingsinwhichyouthisdayrejoice，arenotenjoyedincommon。Therichinheritanceofjustice，liberty，prosperity，andindependence，bequeathedbyyourfathers，issharedbyyou，notbyme。Thesunlightthatbroughtlifeandhealingtoyou，hasbroughtstripesanddeathtome。ThisFourthofJulyis_yours_，notmine。Youmayrejoice，Imustmourn。Todragamaninfettersintothegrandilluminated<350>templeofliberty，andcalluponhimtojoinyouinjoyousanthems，wereinhumanmockeryandsacrilegiousirony。Doyoumean，citizens，tomockme，byaskingmetospeakto-day？Ifso，thereisaparalleltoyourconduct。

Andletmewarnyouthatitisdangeroustocopytheexampleofanationwhosecrimes，toweringuptoheaven，werethrowndownbythebreathoftheAlmighty，buryingthatnationinirrecoverableruin！Icanto-daytakeuptheplaintivelamentofapeeledandwoe-smittenpeople。

“BytheriversofBabylon，therewesatdown。Yea！weweptwhenwerememberedZion。Wehangedourharpsuponthewillowsinthemidstthereof。Forthere，theythatcarriedusawaycaptive，requiredofusasong；andtheywhowastedusrequiredofusmirth，saying，SingusoneofthesongsofZion。HowcanwesingtheLord"ssonginastrangeland？IfIforgetthee，O

Jerusalem，letmyrighthandforgethercunning。IfIdonotrememberthee，letmytonguecleavetotheroofofmymouth。“

Fellow-citizens，aboveyournational，tumultousjoy，Ihearthemournfulwailofmillions，whosechains，heavyandgrievousyesterday，areto-dayrenderedmoreintolerablebythejubilantshoutsthatreachthem。IfIdoforget，ifIdonotfaithfullyrememberthosebleedingchildrenofsorrowthisday，“maymyrighthandforgethercunning，andmaymytonguecleavetotheroofofmymouth！“Toforgetthem，topasslightlyovertheirwrongs，andtochimeinwiththepopulartheme，wouldbetreasonmostscandalousandshocking，andwouldmakemeareproachbeforeGodandtheworld。Mysubject，then，fellow-citizens，isAMERICANSLAVERY。Ishallseethisdayanditspopularcharacteristicsfromtheslave"spointofview。Standingthere，identifiedwiththeAmericanbondman，makinghiswrongsmine，I

donothesitatetodeclare，withallmysoul，thatthecharacterandconductofthisnationneverlookedblackertomethanonthisFourthofJuly。Whetherweturntothedeclarationsofthepast，ortotheprofessionsofthepresent，theconductofthenationseemsequallyhideousandrevolting。Americaisfalsetothepast，falsetothepresent，andsolemnlybindsherselftobefalsetothefuture。StandingwithGodandthecrushedandbleedingslaveonthisoccasion，Iwill，inthenameofhumanitywhichisoutraged，inthenameoflibertywhichisfettered，inthenameoftheconstitutionandthebible，whicharedisregardedandtrampledupon，daretocallinquestionandtodenounce，withalltheemphasisIcancommand，everythingthatservestoperpetuateslavery——thegreatsinandshameofAmerica！“Iwillnotequivocate；Iwillnotexcuse；“IwillusetheseverestlanguageIcancommand；andyetnotonewordshallescapemethatanyman，whosejudgmentisnotblindedbyprejudice，orwhoisnotatheartaslaveholder，shallnotconfesstoberightandjust。

<351>

ButIfancyIhearsomeoneofmyaudiencesay，itisjustinthiscircumstancethatyouandyourbrotherabolitionistsfailtomakeafavorableimpressiononthepublicmind。Wouldyouarguemore，anddenounceless，wouldyoupersuademoreandrebukeless，yourcausewouldbemuchmorelikelytosucceed。But，Isubmit，whereallisplainthereisnothingtobeargued。Whatpointintheanti-slaverycreedwouldyouhavemeargue？Onwhatbranchofthesubjectdothepeopleofthiscountryneedlight？MustI

undertaketoprovethattheslaveisaman？Thatpointisconcededalready。Nobodydoubtsit。Theslaveholdersthemselvesacknowledgeitintheenactmentoflawsfortheirgovernment。

Theyacknowledgeitwhentheypunishdisobedienceonthepartoftheslave。Thereareseventy-twocrimesinthestateofVirginia，which，ifcommittedbyablackman(nomatterhowignoranthebe)，subjecthimtothepunishmentofdeath；whileonlytwoofthesesamecrimeswillsubjectawhitemantothelikepunishment。Whatisthisbuttheacknowledgementthattheslaveisamoral，intellectual，andresponsiblebeing。Themanhoodoftheslaveisconceded。Itisadmittedinthefactthatsouthernstatutebooksarecoveredwithenactmentsforbidding，underseverefinesandpenalties，theteachingoftheslavetoreadorwrite。Whenyoucanpointtoanysuchlaws，inreferencetothebeastsofthefield，thenImayconsenttoarguethemanhoodoftheslave。Whenthedogsinyourstreets，whenthefowlsoftheair，whenthecattleonyourhills，whenthefishofthesea，andthereptilesthatcrawl，shallbeunabletodistinguishtheslavefromabrute，thenwillIarguewithyouthattheslaveisaman！

Forthepresent，itisenoughtoaffirmtheequalmanhoodoftheNegrorace。Isitnotastonishingthat，whileweareplowing，planting，andreaping，usingallkindsofmechanicaltools，erectinghouses，constructingbridges，buildingships，workinginmetalsofbrass，iron，copper，silver，andgold；that，whilewearereading，writing，andcyphering，actingasclerks，merchants，andsecretaries，havingamonguslawyers，doctors，ministers，poets，authors，editors，orators，andteachers；that，whileweareengagedinallmannerofenterprisescommontoothermen——

digginggoldinCalifornia，capturingthewhaleinthePacific，feedingsheepandcattleonthehillside，living，moving，acting，thinking，planning，livinginfamiliesashusbands，wives，andchildren，and，aboveall，confessingandworshipingtheChristian"sGod，andlookinghopefullyforlifeandimmortalitybeyondthegrave——wearecalledupontoprovethatwearemen！

Wouldyouhavemearguethatmanisentitledtoliberty？thatheistherightfulownerofhisownbody？Youhavealreadydeclaredit。MustIarguethewrongfulnessofslavery？Isthataquestionforrepublicans？<352>Isittobesettledbytherulesoflogicandargumentation，asamatterbesetwithgreatdifficulty，involvingadoubtfulapplicationoftheprincipleofjustice，hardtobeunderstood？HowshouldIlookto-dayinthepresenceofAmericans，dividingandsubdividingadiscourse，toshowthatmenhaveanaturalrighttofreedom，speakingofitrelativelyandpositively，negativelyandaffirmatively？Todoso，wouldbetomakemyselfridiculous，andtoofferaninsulttoyourunderstanding。Thereisnotamanbeneaththecanopyofheaventhatdoesnotknowthatslaveryiswrongfor_him_。

What！amItoarguethatitiswrongtomakemenbrutes，torobthemoftheirliberty，toworkthemwithoutwages，tokeepthemignorantoftheirrelationstotheirfellow-men，tobeatthemwithsticks，toflaytheirfleshwiththelash，toloadtheirlimbswithirons，tohuntthemwithdogs，tosellthematauction，tosundertheirfamilies，toknockouttheirteeth，toburntheirflesh，tostarvethemintoobedienceandsubmissiontotheirmasters？MustIarguethatasystem，thusmarkedwithbloodandstainedwithpollution，iswrong？No；Iwillnot。I

havebetteremploymentformytimeandstrengththansuchargumentswouldimply。

What，then，remainstobeargued？Isitthatslaveryisnotdivine；thatGoddidnotestablishit；thatourdoctorsofdivinityaremistaken？Thereisblasphemyinthethought。Thatwhichisinhumancannotbedivine。Whocanreasononsuchaproposition！Theythatcan，may！Icannot。Thetimeforsuchargumentispast。

Atatimelikethis，scorchingirony，notconvincingargument，isneeded。Oh！hadItheability，andcouldIreachthenation"sear，Iwouldto-daypouroutafierystreamofbitingridicule，blastingreproach，witheringsarcasm，andsternrebuke。Foritisnotlightthatisneeded，butfire；itisnotthegentleshower，butthunder。Weneedthestorm，thewhirlwind，andtheearthquake。Thefeelingofthenationmustbequickened；theconscienceofthenationmustberoused；theproprietyofthenationmustbestartled；thehypocrisyofthenationmustbeexposed；anditscrimesagainstGodandmanmustbeproclaimedanddenounced。

WhattotheAmericanslaveisyourFourthofJuly？Ianswer，adaythatrevealstohim，morethanallotherdaysintheyear，thegrossinjusticeandcrueltytowhichheistheconstantvictim。Tohim，yourcelebrationisasham；yourboastedliberty，anunholylicense；yournationalgreatness，swellingvanity；yoursoundsofrejoicingareemptyandheartless；yourdenunciationsoftyrants，brass-frontedimpudence；yourshoutsoflibertyandequality，hollowmockery；yourprayersandhymns，yoursermonsandthanksgivings，withallyourreligiousparadeandsolemnity，<353>aretohimmerebombast，fraud，deception，impiety，andhypocrisy——athinveiltocoverupcrimeswhichwoulddisgraceanationofsavages。Thereisnotanationontheearthguiltyofpracticesmoreshockingandbloody，thanarethepeopleoftheseUnitedStates，atthisveryhour。

Gowhereyoumay，searchwhereyouwill，roamthroughallthemonarchiesanddespotismsoftheoldworld，travelthroughSouthAmerica，searchouteveryabuse，andwhenyouhavefoundthelast，layyourfactsbythesideoftheevery-daypracticesofthisnation，andyouwillsaywithme，that，forrevoltingbarbarityandshamelesshypocrisy，Americareignswithoutarival。

THEINTERNALSLAVETRADE。

_ExtractfromanOration，atRochester，July5，1852_

TaketheAmericanslavetrade，which，wearetoldbythepapers，isespeciallyprosperousjustnow。Ex-senatorBentontellsusthatthepriceofmenwasneverhigherthannow。Hementionsthefacttoshowthatslaveryisinnodanger。ThistradeisoneofthepeculiaritiesofAmericaninstitutions。Itiscarriedoninallthelargetownsandcitiesinone-halfofthisconfederacy；

andmillionsarepocketedeveryyearbydealersinthishorridtraffic。Inseveralstatesthistradeisachiefsourceofwealth。Itiscalled(incontradistinctiontotheforeignslavetrade)_“theinternalslavetrade_。“Itis，probably，calledso，too，inordertodivertfromitthehorrorwithwhichtheforeignslavetradeiscontemplated。Thattradehaslongsincebeendenouncedbythisgovernmentaspiracy。Ithasbeendenouncedwithburningwords，fromthehighplacesofthenation，asanexecrabletraffic。Toarrestit，toputanendtoit，thisnationkeepsasquadron，atimmensecost，onthecoastofAfrica。

Everywhereinthiscountry，itissafetospeakofthisforeignslavetradeasamostinhumantraffic，opposedaliketothelawsofGodandofman。Thedutytoextirpateanddestroyitisadmittedevenbyour_doctorsofdivinity_。Inordertoputanendtoit，someoftheselasthaveconsentedthattheircoloredbrethren(nominallyfree)shouldleavethiscountry，andestablishthemselvesonthewesterncoastofAfrica。Itis，however，anotablefact，that，whilesomuchexecrationispouredoutbyAmericans，uponthoseengagedintheforeignslavetrade，themenengagedintheslavetradebetweenthestatespasswithoutcondemnation，andtheirbusinessisdeemedhonorable。

Beholdthepracticaloperationofthisinternalslavetrade——theAmericanslavetradesustainedbyAmericanpoliticsandAmericanreligion！Hereyouwillseemenandwomenrearedlikeswineforthemarket。Youknowwhatisaswine-drover？Iwillshowyouaman-drover。Theyinhabitalloursouthernstates。Theyperambulatethecountry，andcrowdthe<355>highwaysofthenationwithdrovesofhumanstock。Youwillseeoneofthesehuman-flesh-jobbers，armedwithpistol，whip，andbowie-knife，drivingacompanyofahundredmen，women，andchildren，fromthePotomactotheslavemarketatNewOrleans。Thesewretchedpeoplearetobesoldsingly，orinlots，tosuitpurchasers。

Theyarefoodforthecotton-fieldandthedeadlysugar-mill。

Markthesadprocessionasitmoveswearilyalong，andtheinhumanwretchwhodrivesthem。Hearhissavageyellsandhisblood-chillingoaths，ashehurriesonhisaffrightedcaptives。

There，seetheoldman，withlocksthinnedandgray。Castoneglance，ifyouplease，uponthatyoungmother，whoseshouldersarebaretothescorchingsun，herbrinytearsfallingonthebrowofthebabeinherarms。See，too，thatgirlofthirteen，weeping，yes，weeping，asshethinksofthemotherfromwhomshehasbeentorn。Thedrovemovestardily。Heatandsorrowhavenearlyconsumedtheirstrength。Suddenlyyouhearaquicksnap，likethedischargeofarifle；thefettersclank，andthechainrattlessimultaneously；yourearsaresalutedwithascreamthatseemstohavetornitswaytothecenterofyoursoul。Thecrackyouheardwasthesoundoftheslavewhip；thescreamyouheardwasfromthewomanyousawwiththebabe。Herspeedhadfalteredundertheweightofherchildandherchains；thatgashonhershouldertellshertomoveon。FollowthisdrovetoNewOrleans。

Attendtheauction；seemenexaminedlikehorses；seetheformsofwomenrudelyandbrutallyexposedtotheshockinggazeofAmericanslave-buyers。Seethisdrovesoldandseparatedforever；andneverforgetthedeep，sadsobsthatarosefromthatscatteredmultitude。Tellme，citizens，where，underthesun，canyouwitnessaspectaclemorefiendishandshocking。YetthisisbutaglanceattheAmericanslavetrade，asitexistsatthismoment，intherulingpartoftheUnitedStates。

Iwasbornamidsuchsightsandscenes。TometheAmericanslavetradeisaterriblereality。Whenachild，mysoulwasoftenpiercedwithasenseofitshorrors。IlivedonPhilpotstreet，Fell"sPoint，Baltimore，andhavewatchedfromthewharvestheslaveshipsinthebasin，anchoredfromtheshore，withtheircargoesofhumanflesh，waitingforfavorablewindstowaftthemdowntheChesapeake。Therewas，atthattime，agrandslavemartkeptattheheadofPrattstreet，byAustinWoldfolk。HisagentsweresentintoeverytownandcountyinMaryland，announcingtheirarrivalthroughthepapers，andonflaminghand-bills，headed，“cashfornegroes。“Thesemenweregenerallywelldressed，andverycaptivatingintheirmanners；everreadytodrink，totreat，andtogamble。Thefate<356>ofmanyaslavehasdependedupontheturnofasinglecard；andmanyachildhasbeensnatchedfromthearmsofitsmothersbybargainsarrangedinastateofbrutaldrunkenness。

Theflesh-mongersgatheruptheirvictimsbydozens，anddrivethem，chained，tothegeneraldepotatBaltimore。Whenasufficientnumberhavebeencollectedhere，ashipischartered，forthepurposeofconveyingtheforlorncrewtoMobileortoNewOrleans。Fromtheslave-prisontotheship，theyareusuallydriveninthedarknessofnight；forsincetheanti-slaveryagitationacertaincautionisobserved。

Inthedeep，stilldarknessofmidnight，Ihavebeenoftenarousedbythedead，heavyfootstepsandthepiteouscriesofthechainedgangsthatpassedourdoor。Theanguishofmyboyishheartwasintense；andIwasoftenconsoled，whenspeakingtomymistressinthemorning，tohearhersaythatthecustomwasverywicked；thatshehatedtoheartherattleofthechains，andtheheart-rendingcries。Iwasgladtofindonewhosympathizedwithmeinmyhorror。

Fellowcitizens，thismurderoustrafficisto-dayinactiveoperationinthisboastedrepublic。Inthesolitudeofmyspirit，Iseecloudsofdustraisedonthehighwaysofthesouth；

Iseethebleedingfootsteps；Ihearthedolefulwailoffetteredhumanity，onthewaytotheslavemarkets，wherethevictimsaretobesoldlikehorses，sheep，andswine，knockedofftothehighestbidder。ThereIseethetenderesttiesruthlesslybroken，togratifythelust，caprice，andrapacityofthebuyersandsellersofmen。Mysoulsickensatthesight。

_Isthisthelandyourfathersloved？

Thefreedomwhichtheytoiledtowin？

Isthistheearthwhereontheymoved？

Arethesethegravestheyslumberin？_

Butastillmoreinhuman，disgraceful，andscandalousstateofthingsremainstobepresented。ByanactoftheAmericancongress，notyettwoyearsold，slaveryhasbeennationalizedinitsmosthorribleandrevoltingform。Bythatact，MasonandDixon"slinehasbeenobliterated；NewYorkhasbecomeasVirginia；andthepowertohold，hunt，andsellmen，women，andchildrenasslaves，remainsnolongeramerestateinstitution，butisnowaninstitutionofthewholeUnitedStates。Thepoweriscoextensivewiththestar-spangledbannerandAmericanchristianity。Wherethesego，mayalsogothemercilessslave-

hunter。Wheretheseare，manisnotsacred。Heisabirdforthesportsman"sgun。Bythatmostfoulandfiendishofallhumandecrees，thelibertyandpersonofeverymanare<357>putinperil。Yourbroadrepublicandomainisahunting-groundfor_men_。Notforthievesandrobbers，enemiesofsociety，merely，butformenguiltyofnocrime。Yourlaw-makershavecommandedallgoodcitizenstoengageinthishellishsport。Yourpresident，yoursecretaryofstate，yourlords，nobles，andecclesiastics，enforceasadutyyouowetoyourfreeandgloriouscountryandtoyourGod，thatyoudothisaccursedthing。NotfewerthanfortyAmericanshavewithinthepasttwoyearsbeenhunteddown，andwithoutamoment"swarning，hurriedawayinchains，andconsignedtoslaveryandexcruciatingtorture。Someofthesehavehadwivesandchildrendependentonthemforbread；butofthisnoaccountwasmade。Therightofthehuntertohisprey，standssuperiortotherightofmarriage，andto_all_rightsinthisrepublic，therightsofGodincluded！

Forblackmenthereareneitherlaw，justice，humanity，norreligion。ThefugitiveslavelawmakesMERCYTOTHEMACRIME；

andbribesthejudgewhotriesthem。AnAmericanjudgeGETSTEN

DOLLARSFOREVERYVICTIMHECONSIGNStoslavery，andfive，whenhefailstodoso。Theoathofan{sic}twovillainsissufficient，underthishell-blackenactment，tosendthemostpiousandexemplaryblackmanintotheremorselessjawsofslavery！Hisowntestimonyisnothing。Hecanbringnowitnessesforhimself。TheministerofAmericanjusticeisboundbythelawtohearbut_oneside_，andthatsideisthesideoftheoppressor。Letthisdamningfactbeperpetuallytold。Letitbethunderedaroundtheworld，that，intyrant-killing，kinghating，people-loving，democratic，ChristianAmerica，theseatsofjusticearefilledwithjudges，whoholdtheirofficeunderanopenandpalpable_bribe_，andarebound，indecidinginthecaseofaman"sliberty，_tohearonlyhisaccusers！_

Inglaringviolationofjustice，inshamelessdisregardoftheformsofadministeringlaw，incunningarrangementtoentrapthedefenseless，andindiabolicalintent，thisfugitiveslavelawstandsaloneintheannalsoftyrannicallegislation。Idoubtiftherebeanothernationontheglobehavingthebrassandthebasenesstoputsuchalawonthestatute-book。Ifanymaninthisassemblythinksdifferentlyfrommeinthismatter，andfeelsabletodisprovemystatements，Iwillgladlyconfronthimatanysuitabletimeandplacehemayselect。

THESLAVERYPARTY

_ExtractfromaSpeechDeliveredbeforetheA。A。S。Society，inNewYork，May，1853_

Sir，itisevidentthatthereisinthiscountryapurelyslaveryparty——apartywhichexistsfornootherearthlypurposebuttopromotetheinterestsofslavery。Thepresenceofthispartyisfelteverywhereintherepublic。Itisknownbynoparticularname，andhasassumednodefiniteshape；butitsbranchesreachfarandwideinthechurchandinthestate。Thisshapelessandnamelesspartyisnotintangibleinotherandmoreimportantrespects。Thatparty，sir，hasdetermineduponafixed，definite，andcomprehensivepolicytowardthewholecoloredpopulationoftheUnitedStates。Whatthatpolicyis，itbecomesusasabolitionists，andespeciallydoesitbecomethecoloredpeoplethemselves，toconsiderandtounderstandfully。Weoughttoknowwhoourenemiesare，wheretheyare，andwhataretheirobjectsandmeasures。Well，sir，hereismyversionofit——notoriginalwithme——butminebecauseIholdittobetrue。

Iunderstandthispolicytocomprehendfivecardinalobjects。

Theyarethese:1st。Thecompletesuppressionofallanti-slaverydiscussion。2d。TheexpatriationoftheentirefreepeopleofcolorfromtheUnitedStates。3d。Theunendingperpetuationofslaveryinthisrepublic。4th。ThenationalizationofslaverytotheextentofmakingslaveryrespectedineverystateoftheUnion。5th。TheextensionofslaveryoverMexicoandtheentireSouthAmericanstates。

Sir，theseobjectsareforciblypresentedtousinthesternlogicofpassingevents；inthefactswhichareandhavebeenpassingaroundusduringthelastthreeyears。Thecountryhasbeenandisnowdividingonthesegrandissues。Intheirmagnitude，theseissuescastallothersintotheshade，deprivingthemofalllifeandvitality。Oldpartytiesarebroken。Likeisfindingitslikeoneithersideofthesegreatissues，andthegreatbattleisathand。Forthepresent，thebestrepresentativeoftheslaverypartyinpoliticsisthedemocraticparty。Itsgreatheadforthe<359>presentisPresidentPierce，whoseboastitwas，beforehiselection，thathiswholelifehadbeenconsistentwiththeinterestsofslavery，thatheisabovereproachonthatscore。Inhisinauguraladdress，hereassuresthesouthonthispoint。Well，theheadoftheslavepowerbeinginpower，itisnaturalthattheproslaveryelementsshouldclusteraroundtheadministration，andthisisrapidlybeingdone。Afraternizationisgoingon。Thestringentprotectionistsandthefree-tradersstrikehands。ThesupportersofFillmorearebecomingthesupportersofPierce。Thesilver-

graywhigshakeshandswiththehunkerdemocrat；theformeronlydifferingfromthelatterinname。Theyareofoneheart，onemind，andtheunionisnaturalandperhapsinevitable。BothhateNegroes；bothhateprogress；bothhatethe“higherlaw；“bothhateWilliamH。Seward；bothhatethefreedemocraticparty；anduponthishatefulbasistheyareformingaunionofhatred。

“PilateandHerodarethusmadefriends。“Eventhecentralorganofthewhigpartyisextendingitsbeggarhandforamorselfromthetableofslaverydemocracy，andwhenspurnedfromthefeastbythemoredeserving，itpocketstheinsult；whenkickedononesideitturnstheother，andpreseveresinitsimportunities。

Thefactis，thatpapercomprehendsthedemandsofthetimes；itunderstandstheageanditsissues；itwiselyseesthatslaveryandfreedomarethegreatantagonisticforcesinthecountry，anditgoestoitsownside。Silvergraysandhunkersallunderstandthis。Theyare，therefore，rapidlysinkingallotherquestionstonothing，comparedwiththeincreasingdemandsofslavery。

Theyarecollecting，arranging，andconsolidatingtheirforcesfortheaccomplishmentoftheirappointedwork。

ThekeystonetothearchofthisgrandunionoftheslaverypartyoftheUnitedStates，isthecompromiseof1850。Inthatcompromisewehavealltheobjectsofourslaveholdingpolicyspecified。Itis，sir，favorabletothisviewofthedesignsoftheslavepower，thatboththewhigandthedemocraticpartybentlower，sunkdeeper，andstrainedharder，intheirconventions，preparatorytothelatepresidentialelection，tomeetthedemandsoftheslaverypartythanatanyprevioustimeintheirhistory。Neverdidpartiescomebeforethenorthernpeoplewithpropositionsofsuchundisguisedcontemptforthemoralsentimentandthereligiousideasofthatpeople。Theyvirtuallyaskedthemtouniteinawaruponfreespeech，anduponconscience，andtodrivetheAlmightypresencefromthecouncilsofthenation。

Restingtheirplatformsuponthefugitiveslavebill，theyboldlyaskedthepeopleforpoliticalpowertoexecutethehorribleandhell-blackprovisionsofthatbill。Thehistoryofthatelectionreveals，withgreatclearness，theextenttowhich<360>slaveryhasshotitsleprousdistillmentthroughthelife-bloodofthenation。Thepartymostthoroughlyopposedtothecauseofjusticeandhumanity，triumphed；whilethepartysuspectedofaleaningtowardliberty，wasoverwhelminglydefeated，somesayannihilated。

Buthereisastillmoreimportantfact，illustratingthedesignsoftheslavepower。Itisafactfullofmeaning，thatnosoonerdidthedemocraticslaverypartycomeintopower，thanasystemoflegislationwaspresentedtothelegislaturesofthenorthernstates，designedtoputthestatesinharmonywiththefugitiveslavelaw，andthemalignantbearingofthenationalgovernmenttowardthecoloredinhabitantsofthecountry。Thiswholemovementonthepartofthestates，bearstheevidenceofhavingoneorigin，emanatingfromonehead，andurgedforwardbyonepower。Itwassimultaneous，uniform，andgeneral，andlookedtooneend。Itwasintendedtoputthornsunderfeetalreadybleeding；tocrushapeoplealreadyboweddown；toenslaveapeoplealreadybuthalffree；inaword，itwasintendedtodiscourage，dishearten，anddrivethefreecoloredpeopleoutofthecountry。InlookingattherecentblacklawofIllinois，oneisstruckdumbwithitsenormity。Itwouldseemthatthemenwhoenactedthatlaw，hadnotonlybanishedfromtheirmindsallsenseofjustice，butallsenseofshame。Itcoollyproposestosellthebodiesandsoulsoftheblackstoincreasetheintelligenceandrefinementofthewhites；torobeveryblackstrangerwhoventuresamongthem，toincreasetheirliteraryfund。

Whilethisisgoingoninthestates，apro-slavery，politicalboardofhealthisestablishedatWashington。SenatorsHale，Chase，andSumnerarerobbedofapartoftheirsenatorialdignityandconsequenceasrepresentingsovereignstates，becausetheyhaverefusedtobeinoculatedwiththeslaveryvirus。Amongtheserviceswhichasenatorisexpectedbyhisstatetoperform，aremanythatcanonlybedoneefficientlyoncommittees；and，insayingtothesehonorablesenators，youshallnotserveonthecommitteesofthisbody，theslaverypartytooktheresponsibilityofrobbingandinsultingthestatesthatsentthem。ItisanattemptatWashingtontodecideforthestateswhoshallbesenttothesenate。Sir，itstrikesmethatthisaggressiononthepartoftheslavepowerdidnotmeetatthehandsoftheproscribedsenatorstherebukewhichwehadarighttoexpectwouldbeadministered。Itseemstomethatanopportunitywaslost，thatthegreatprincipleofsenatorialequalitywasleftundefended，atatimewhenitsvindicationwassternlydemanded。Butitisnottothepurposeofmypresentstatementtocriticisetheconductofourfriends。Iampersuadedthatmuchoughttobelefttothediscretionof<361>antislaverymenincongress，andchargesofrecreancyshouldneverbemadebutonthemostsufficientgrounds。For，ofalltheplacesintheworldwhereananti-slaverymanneedstheconfidenceandencouragementoffriends，ItakeWashingtontobethatplace。

Letmenowcallattentiontothesocialinfluenceswhichareoperatingandcooperatingwiththeslaverypartyofthecountry，designedtocontributetooneorallofthegrandobjectsaimedatbythatparty。Weseeheretheblackmanattackedinhisvitalinterests；prejudiceandhateareexcitedagainsthim；

enmityisstirredupbetweenhimandotherlaborers。TheIrishpeople，warm-hearted，generous，andsympathizingwiththeoppressedeverywhere，whentheystandupontheirowngreenisland，areinstantlytaught，onarrivinginthisChristiancountry，tohateanddespisethecoloredpeople。Theyaretaughttobelievethatweeatthebreadwhichofrightbelongstothem。

ThecruellieistoldtheIrish，thatouradversityisessentialtotheirprosperity。Sir，theIrish-Americanwillfindouthismistakeoneday。Hewillfindthatinassumingouravocationhealsohasassumedourdegradation。Butforthepresentwearesufferers。Theoldemploymentsbywhichwehaveheretoforegainedourlivelihood，aregradually，anditmaybeinevitably，passingintootherhands。Everyhourseesuselbowedoutofsomeemploymenttomakeroomperhapsforsomenewly-arrivedemigrants，whosehungerandcolorarethoughttogivethematitletoespecialfavor。Whitemenarebecominghouse-servants，cooks，andstewards，commonlaborers，andflunkeystoourgentry，and，foraughtIsee，theyadjustthemselvestotheirstationswithallbecomingobsequiousness。Thisfactprovesthatifwecannotrisetothewhites，thewhitescanfalltous。Now，sir，lookoncemore。Whilethecoloredpeoplearethuselbowedoutofemployment；whiletheenmityofemigrantsisbeingexcitedagainstus；whilestateafterstateenactslawsagainstus；whilewearehunteddown，likewildgame，andoppressedwithageneralfeelingofinsecurity——theAmericancolonizationsociety——thatoldoffenderagainstthebestinterestsandslandererofthecoloredpeople——awakenstonewlife，andvigorouslypressesitsschemeupontheconsiderationofthepeopleandthegovernment。

Newpapersarestarted——someforthenorthandsomeforthesouth——andeachinitstoneadaptingitselftoitslatitude。

Government，stateandnational，iscalleduponforappropriationstoenablethesocietytosendusoutofthecountrybysteam！

TheywantsteamerstocarrylettersandNegroestoAfrica。

Evidently，thissocietylooksuponour“extremityasitsopportunity，“andwemayexpectthatitwillusetheoccasionwell。Theydonotdeplore，butglory，inourmisfortunes。

<362>

But，sir，Imusthasten。IhavethusbrieflygivenmyviewofoneaspectofthepresentconditionandfutureprospectsofthecoloredpeopleoftheUnitedStates。AndwhatIhavesaidisfarfromencouragingtomyafflictedpeople。Ihaveseenthecloudgatheruponthesablebrowsofsomewhohearme。Iconfessthecaselooksblackenough。Sir，Iamnotahopefulman。IthinkI

amapteventoundercalculatethebenefitsofthefuture。Yet，sir，inthisseeminglydesperatecase，Idonotdespairformypeople。Thereisabrightsidetoalmosteverypictureofthiskind；andoursisnoexceptiontothegeneralrule。Iftheinfluencesagainstusarestrong，thoseforusarealsostrong。

Totheinquiry，willourenemiesprevailintheexecutionoftheirdesigns。InmyGodandinmysoul，Ibelievethey_willnot_。Letuslookatthefirstobjectsoughtforbytheslaverypartyofthecountry，viz:thesuppressionofantislaverydiscussion。Theydesiretosuppressdiscussiononthissubject，withaviewtothepeaceoftheslaveholderandthesecurityofslavery。Now，sir，neithertheprinciplenorthesubordinateobjectsheredeclared，canbeatallgainedbytheslavepower，andforthisreason:Itinvolvesthepropositiontopadlockthelipsofthewhites，inordertosecurethefettersonthelimbsoftheblacks。Therightofspeech，preciousandpriceless，_cannot，willnot_，besurrenderedtoslavery。Itssuppressionisaskedfor，asIhavesaid，togivepeaceandsecuritytoslaveholders。Sir，thatthingcannotbedone。Godhasinterposedaninsuperableobstacletoanysuchresult。“Therecanbe_nopeace_，saithmyGod，tothewicked。“Supposeitwerepossibletoputdownthisdiscussion，whatwoulditavailtheguiltyslaveholder，pillowedasheisuponheavingbosomsofruinedsouls？Hecouldnothaveapeacefulspirit。Ifeveryanti-slaverytongueinthenationweresilent——everyanti-slaveryorganizationdissolved——everyanti-slaverypressdemolished——

everyantislaveryperiodical，paper，book，pamphlet，orwhatnot，weresearchedout，gathered，deliberatelyburnedtoashes，andtheirashesgiventothefourwindsofheaven，still，stilltheslaveholdercouldhave_“nopeace_。“Ineverypulsationofhisheart，ineverythrobofhislife，ineveryglanceofhiseye，inthebreezethatsoothes，andinthethunderthatstartles，wouldbewakedupanaccuser，whosecauseis，“Thouart，verily，guiltyconcerningthybrother。“

THEANTI-SLAVERYMOVEMENT

_ExtractsfromaLecturebeforeVariousAnti-SlaveryBodies，intheWinterof1855_

Agrandmovementonthepartofmankind，inanydirection，orforanypurpose，moralorpolitical，isaninterestingfact，fitandpropertobestudied。Itissuch，notonlyforthosewhoeagerlyparticipateinit，butalsoforthosewhostandalooffromit——

evenforthosebywhomitisopposed。Itaketheanti-slaverymovementtobesuchanone，andamovementassublimeandgloriousinitscharacter，asitisholyandbeneficentintheendsitaimstoaccomplish。Atthismoment，Ideemitsafetosay，itisproperlyengrossingmoremindsinthiscountrythananyothersubjectnowbeforetheAmericanpeople。ThelateJohnC。Calhoun——oneofthemightiestmenthateverstoodupintheAmericansenate——didnotdeemitbeneathhim；andheprobablystudieditasdeeply，thoughnotashonestly，asGerritSmith，orWilliamLloydGarrison。Heevincedthegreatestfamiliaritywiththesubject；andthegreatesteffortsofhislastyearsinthesenatehaddirectreferencetothismovement。Hiseagleeyewatchedeverynewdevelopmentconnectedwithit；andhewaseverprompttoinformthesouthofeveryimportantstepinitsprogress。Heneverallowedhimselftomakelightofit；butalwaysspokeofitandtreateditasamatterofgraveimport；

andinthisheshowedhimselfamasterofthemental，moral，andreligiousconstitutionofhumansociety。DanielWebster，too，inthebetterdaysofhislife，beforehegavehisassenttothefugitiveslavebill，andtrampleduponallhisearlierandbetterconvictions——whenhiseyewasyetsingle——heclearlycomprehendedthenatureoftheelementsinvolvedinthismovement；andinhisownmajesticeloquence，warnedthesouth，andthecountry，tohaveacarehowtheyattemptedtoputitdown。Heisanillustrationthatitiseasiertogive，thantotake，goodadvice。Tothesetwomen——thegreatestmentowhomthenationhasyetgivenbirth——maybetracedthetwogreatfactsofthepresent——thesouthtriumphant，andthenorthhumbled。<364>Theirnamesmaystandthus——Calhounanddomination——Websteranddegradation。Yetagain。Iftotheenemiesoflibertythissubjectisoneofengrossinginterest，vastlymoresoshoulditbesuchtofreedom"sfriends。Thelatter，itleadstothegatesofallvaluableknowledge——philanthropic，ethical，andreligious；

foritbringsthemtothestudyofman，wonderfullyandfearfullymade——theproperstudyofmanthroughalltime——theopenbook，inwhicharetherecordsoftimeandeternity。

Oftheexistenceandpoweroftheanti-slaverymovement，asafact，youneednoevidence。Thenationhasseenitsface，andfeltthecontrollingpressureofitshand。Youhaveseenitmovinginalldirections，andinallweathers，andinallplaces，appearingmostwheredesiredleast，andpressinghardestwheremostresisted。Noplaceisexempt。Thequietprayermeeting，andthestormyhallsofnationaldebate，shareitspresencealike。Itisacommonintruder，andofcoursehasthenameofbeingungentlemanly。Brethrenwhohadlongsung，inthemostaffectionatefervor，andwiththegreatestsenseofsecurity，_Togetherletussweetlylive——togetherletusdie，_

havebeensuddenlyandviolentlyseparatedbyit，andrangedinhostileattitudetowardeachother。TheMethodist，oneofthemostpowerfulreligiousorganizationsofthiscountry，hasbeenrentasunder，anditsstrongestboltsofdenominationalbrotherhoodstartedatasinglesurge。Ithaschangedthetoneofthenorthernpulpit，andmodifiedthatofthepress。A

celebrateddivine，who，fouryearsago，wasforflinginghisownmother，orbrother，intotheremorselessjawsofthemonsterslavery，lestheshouldswallowuptheUnion，nowrecognizesanti-slaveryasacharacteristicoffuturecivilization。Signsandwondersfollowthismovement；andthefactjuststatedisoneofthem。Partytiesareloosenedbyit；andmenarecompelledtotakesidesfororagainstit，whethertheywillornot。Comefromwherehemay，orcomeforwhathemay，heiscompelledtoshowhishand。Whatisthismightyforce？Whatisitshistory？

andwhatisitsdestiny？Isitancientormodern，transientorpermanent？Hasitturnedaside，likeastrangerandasojourner，totarryforanight？orhasitcometorestwithusforever？

Excellentchancesarehereforspeculation；andsomeofthemarequiteprofound。Wemight，forinstance，proceedtoinquirenotonlyintothephilosophyoftheanti-slaverymovement，butintothephilosophyofthelaw，inobediencetowhichthatmovementstartedintoexistence。Wemightdemandtoknowwhatisthatlaworpower，which，atdifferenttimes，disposesthemindsofmentothisorthatparticularobject——nowforpeace，andnowforwar——

nowforfree<365>dom，andnowforslavery；butthisprofoundquestionIleavetotheabolitionistsofthesuperiorclasstoanswer。Thespeculationswhichmustprecedesuchanswer，wouldafford，perhaps，aboutthesamesatisfactionasthelearnedtheorieswhichhaveraineddownupontheworld，fromtimetotime，astotheoriginofevil。Ishall，therefore，avoidwaterinwhichIcannotswim，anddealwithanti-slaveryasafact，likeanyotherfactinthehistoryofmankind，capableofbeingdescribedandunderstood，bothastoitsinternalforces，anditsexternalphasesandrelations。

[Afteraneloquent，afull，andhighlyinterestingexpositionofthenature，character，andhistoryoftheanti-slaverymovement，fromtheinsertionofwhichwantofspaceprecludesus，heconcludedinthefollowinghappymanner。]

Presentorganizationsmayperish，butthecausewillgoon。Thatcausehasalife，distinctandindependentoftheorganizationspatchedupfromtimetotimetocarryitforward。Lookedat，apartfromthebonesandsinewsandbody，itisathingimmortal。

Itistheveryessenceofjustice，liberty，andlove。Themorallifeofhumansociety，itcannotdiewhileconscience，honor，andhumanityremain。Ifbutonebefilledwithit，thecauselives。

Itsincarnationinanyoneindividualman，leavesthewholeworldapriesthood，occupyingthehighestmoraleminenceeventhatofdisinterestedbenevolence。Whosohasascendedhisheight，andhasthegracetostandthere，hastheworldathisfeet，andistheworld"steacher，asofdivineright。Hemaysetinjudgmentontheage，uponthecivilizationoftheage，anduponthereligionoftheage；forhehasatest，asureandcertaintest，bywhichtotryallinstitutions，andtomeasureallmen。Isay，hemaydothis，butthisisnotthechiefbusinessforwhichheisqualified。Thegreatworktowhichheiscalledisnotthatofjudgment。LikethePrinceofPeace，hemaysay，ifIjudge，I

judgerighteousjudgment；stillmainly，likehim，hemaysay，thisisnothiswork。Themanwhohasthoroughlyembracedtheprinciplesofjustice，love，andliberty，likethetruepreacherofChristianity，islessanxioustoreproachtheworldofitssins，thantowinittorepentance。Hisgreatworkonearthistoexemplify，andtoillustrate，andtoingraftthoseprinciplesuponthelivingandpracticalunderstandingsofallmenwithinthereachofhisinfluence。Thisishiswork；longorshorthisyears，manyorfewhisadherents，powerfulorweakhisinstrumentalities，throughgoodreport，orthroughbadreport，thisishiswork。Itistosnatchfromthebosomofnaturethelatentfactsofeachindividualman"sexperience，andwithsteadyhandtoholdthemupfreshandglowing，enforeing，withallhispower，theiracknowledgmentandpracticaladoption。Iftherebebut_one_<366>suchmanintheland，nomatterwhatbecomesofabolitionsocietiesandparties，therewillbeananti-slaverycause，andananti-slaverymovement。Fortunatelyforthatcause，andfortunatelyforhimbywhomitisespoused，itrequiresnoextraordinaryamountoftalenttopreachitortoreceiveitwhenpreached。Thegrandsecretofitspoweris，thateachofitsprinciplesiseasilyrenderedappreciabletothefacultyofreasoninman，andthatthemostunenlightenedconsciencehasnodifficultyindecidingonwhichsidetoregisteritstestimony。

Itcancallitspreachersfromamongthefishermen，andraisethemtopower。Ineveryhumanbreast，ithasanadvocatewhichcanbesilentonlywhentheheartisdead。Itcomeshometoeveryman"sunderstanding，andappealsdirectlytoeveryman"sconscience。Amanthatdoesnotrecognizeandapproveforhimselftherightsandprivilegescontendedfor，inbehalfoftheAmericanslave，hasnotyetbeenfound。Inwhateverelsemenmaydiffer，theyarealikeintheapprehensionoftheirnaturalandpersonalrights。Thedifferencebetweenabolitionistsandthosebywhomtheyareopposed，isnotastoprinciples。Allareagreedinrespecttothese。Themannerofapplyingthemisthepointofdifference。

Theslaveholderhimself，thedailyrobberofhisequalbrother，discourseseloquentlyastotheexcellencyofjustice，andthemanwhoemploysabrutaldrivertoflaythefleshofhisnegroes，isnotoffendedwhenkindnessandhumanityarecommended。Everytimetheabolitionistspeaksofjustice，theanti-abolitionistassentssays，yes，Iwishtheworldwerefilledwithadispositiontorendertoeverymanwhatisrightfullyduehim；I

shouldthengetwhatisdueme。That"sright；letushavejustice。Byallmeans，letushavejustice。Everytimetheabolitionistspeaksinhonorofhumanliberty，hetouchesachordintheheartoftheanti-abolitionist，whichrespondsinharmoniousvibrations。Liberty——yes，thatisevidentlymyright，andlethimbewarewhoattemptstoinvadeorabridgethatright。

Everytimehespeaksoflove，ofhumanbrotherhood，andthereciprocaldutiesofmanandman，theanti-abolitionistassents——

says，yes，allright——alltrue——wecannothavesuchideastoooften，ortoofullyexpressed。Sohesays，andsohefeels，andonlyshowstherebythatheisamanaswellasananti-

abolitionist。Youhaveonlytokeepoutofsightthemannerofapplyingyourprinciples，togetthemendorsedeverytime。

Contemplatinghimself，heseestruthwithabsoluteclearnessanddistinctness。Heonlyblunderswhenaskedtolosesightofhimself。InhisowncausehecanbeataBostonlawyer，butheisdumbwhenaskedtopleadthecauseofothers。Heknowsverywellwhatsoeverhewouldhavedoneuntohimself，butisquiteindoubtastohavingthe<367>samethingdoneuntoothers。Itisjusthere，thatlionsspringupinthepathofduty，andthebattleoncefoughtinheavenisrefoughtontheearth。Soitis，sohathiteverbeen，andsomustiteverbe，whentheclaimsofjusticeandmercymaketheirdemandatthedoorofhumanselfishness。Nevertheless，thereisthatwithinwhicheverpleadsfortherightandthejust。

Inconclusion，Ihavetakenasoberviewofthepresentanti-

slaverymovement。Iamsober，butnothopeless。Thereisnodenying，foritiseverywhereadmitted，thattheanti-slaveryquestionisthegreatmoralandsocialquestionnowbeforetheAmericanpeople。Astateofthingshasgraduallybeendeveloped，bywhichthatquestionhasbecomethefirstthinginorder。Itmustbemet。Hereinismyhope。ThegreatideaofimpartiallibertyisnowfairlybeforetheAmericanpeople。Anti-slaveryisnolongerathingtobeprevented。Thetimeforpreventionispast。Thisisgreatgain。Whenthemovementwasyoungerandweaker——whenitwroughtinaBostongarrettohumanapprehension，itmighthavebeensilentlyputoutoftheway。Thingsaredifferentnow。Ithasgrowntoolarge——itsfriendsaretoonumerous——itsfacilitiestooabundant——itsramificationstooextended——itspowertooomnipotent，tobesnuffedoutbythecontingenciesofinfancy。Athousandstrongmenmightbestruckdown，anditsranksstillbeinvincible。Oneflashfromtheheart-suppliedintellectofHarrietBeecherStowecouldlightamillioncampfiresinfrontoftheembattledhostofslavery，whichnotallthewatersoftheMississippi，mingledastheyarewithblood，couldextinguish。Thepresentwillbelookedtobyaftercominggenerations，astheageofanti-slaveryliterature——

whensupplyonthegallopcouldnotkeeppacewiththeevergrowingdemand——whenapictureofaNegroonthecoverwasahelptothesaleofabook——whenconservativelyceumsandotherAmericanliteraryassociationsbeganfirsttoselecttheiroratorsfordistinguishedoccasionsfromtheranksofthepreviouslydespisedabolitionists。Iftheanti-slaverymovementshallfailnow，itwillnotbefromoutwardopposition，butfrominwarddecay。Itsauxiliariesareeverywhere。Scholars，authors，orators，poets，andstatesmengiveittheiraid。ThemostbrilliantofAmericanpoetsvolunteerinitsservice。

Whittierspeaksinburningversetomorethanthirtythousand，intheNationalEra。YourownLongfellowwhispers，ineveryhouroftrialanddisappointment，“laborandwait。“JamesRussellLowellisremindingusthat“menaremorethaninstitutions。“Pierpontcheerstheheartofthepilgriminsearchofliberty，bysingingthepraisesof“thenorthstar。“Bryant，too，iswithus；andthoughchainedtothecarofparty，anddraggedonamidstawhirlof<368>politicalexcitement，hesnatchesamomentforlettingdropasmilingverseofsympathyforthemaninchains。Thepoetsarewithus。Itwouldseemalmostabsurdtosayit，consideringtheusethathasbeenmadeofthem，thatwehavealliesintheEthiopiansongs；thosesongsthatconstituteournationalmusic，andwithoutwhichwehavenonationalmusic。

Theyareheartsongs，andthefinestfeelingsofhumannatureareexpressedinthem。“LucyNeal，““OldKentuckyHome，“and“UncleNed，“canmaketheheartsadaswellasmerry，andcancallforthatearaswellasasmile。Theyawakenthesympathiesfortheslave，inwhichantislaveryprinciplestakeroot，grow，andflourish。Inadditiontoauthors，poets，andscholarsathome，themoralsenseofthecivilizedworldiswithus。England，France，andGermany，thethreegreatlightsofmoderncivilization，arewithus，andeveryAmericantravelerlearnstoregrettheexistenceofslaveryinhiscountry。Thegrowthofintelligence，theinfluenceofcommerce，steam，wind，andlightningareourallies。Itwouldbeeasytoamplifythissummary，andtoswellthevastconglomerationofourmaterialforces；butthereisadeeperandtruermethodofmeasuringthepowerofourcause，andofcomprehendingitsvitality。Thisistobefoundinitsaccordancewiththebestelementsofhumannature。ItisbeyondthepowerofslaverytoannihilateaffinitiesrecognizedandestablishedbytheAlmighty。Theslaveisboundtomankindbythepowerfulandinextricablenet-workofhumanbrotherhood。Hisvoiceisthevoiceofaman，andhiscryisthecryofamanindistress，andmanmustceasetobemanbeforehecanbecomeinsensibletothatcry。Itistherighteousofthecause——thehumanityofthecause——whichconstitutesitspotency。Asonegenuinebankbillisworthmorethanathousandcounterfeits，soisoneman，withrightonhisside，worthmorethanathousandinthewrong。“Onemaychaseathousand，andputtenthousandtoflight。“Itis，therefore，uponthegoodnessofourcause，morethanuponallotherauxiliaries，thatwedependforitsfinaltriumph。

Anothersourceofcongratulationsisthefactthat，amidalltheeffortsmadebythechurch，thegovernment，andthepeopleatlarge，tostaytheonwardprogressofthismovment，itscoursehasbeenonward，steady，straight，unshaken，anduncheckedfromthebeginning。Slaveryhasgainedvictorieslargeandnumerous；

butneverasagainstthismovement——againstatemporizingpolicy，andagainstnortherntimidity，theslavepowerhasbeenvictorious；butagainstthespreadandprevalenceinthecountry，ofaspiritofresistancetoitsaggression，andofsentimentsfavorabletoitsentireoverthrow，ithasyetaccomplishednothing。Everymeasure，yetdevisedandexecuted，havingforitsobjectthesuppression<369>ofanti-slavery，hasbeenasidleandfruitlessaspouringoiltoextinguishfire。Ageneralrejoicingtookplaceonthepassageof“thecompromisemeasures“of1850。

Thosemeasureswerecalledpeacemeasures，andwereafterwardtermedbyboththegreatpartiesofthecountry，aswellasbyleadingstatesmen，afinalsettlementofthewholequestionofslavery；butexperiencehaslaughedtoscornthewisdomofpro-

slaverystatesmen；andtheirfinalsettlementofagitationseemstobethefinalrevival，onabroaderandgranderscalethaneverbefore，ofthequestionwhichtheyvainlyattemptedtosuppressforever。Thefugitiveslavebillhasespeciallybeenofpositiveservicetotheanti-slaverymovement。Ithasillustratedbeforeallthepeoplethehorriblecharacterofslaverytowardtheslave，inhuntinghimdowninafreestate，andtearinghimawayfromwifeandchildren，thussettingitsclaimshigherthanmarriageorparentalclaims。Ithasrevealedthearrogantandoverbearingspiritoftheslavestatestowardthefreestates；

despisingtheirprinciples——shockingtheirfeelingsofhumanity，notonlybybringingbeforethemtheabominationsofslavery，butbyattemptingtomakethempartiestothecrime。Ithascalledintoexerciseamongthecoloredpeople，thehuntedones，aspiritofmanlyresistancewellcalculatedtosurroundthemwithabulwarkofsympathyandrespecthithertounknown。Formenarealwaysdisposedtorespectanddefendrights，whenthevictimsofoppressionstandupmanfullyforthemselves。

Thereisanotherelementofpoweraddedtotheanti-slaverymovement，ofgreatimportance；itistheconviction，becomingeverydaymoregeneralanduniversal，thatslaverymustbeabolishedatthesouth，oritwilldemoralizeanddestroylibertyatthenorth。Itisthenatureofslaverytobegetastateofthingsallarounditfavorabletoitsowncontinuance。Thisfact，connectedwiththesystemofbondage，isbeginningtobemorefullyrealized。Theslave-holderisnotsatisfiedtoassociatewithmeninthechurchorinthestate，unlesshecantherebystainthemwiththebloodofhisslaves。Tobeaslave-

holderistobeapropagandistfromnecessity；forslaverycanonlylivebykeepingdowntheunder-growthmoralitywhichnaturesupplies。Everynew-bornwhitebabecomesarmedfromtheEternalpresence，tomakewaronslavery。Theheartofpity，whichwouldmeltinduetimeoverthebrutalchastisementsitseesinflictedonthehelpless，mustbehardened。Andthisworkgoesoneverydayintheyear，andeveryhourintheday。

Whatisdoneathomeisbeingdonealsoabroadhereinthenorth。

Andevennowthequestionmaybeasked，haveweatthismomentasinglefreestateintheUnion？Thealarmatthispointwillbecomemoregeneral。<370>Theslavepowermustgooninitscareerofexactions。Give，give，willbeitscry，tillthetimiditywhichconcedesshallgiveplacetocourage，whichshallresist。Suchisthevoiceofexperience，suchhasbeenthepast，suchisthepresent，andsuchwillbethatfuture，which，sosureasmanisman，willcome。HereIleavethesubject；andIleaveoffwhereIbegan，consolingmyselfandcongratulatingthefriendsoffreedomuponthefactthattheanti-slaverycauseisnotanewthingunderthesun；notsomemoraldelusionwhichafewyears"experiencemaydispel。Ithasappearedamongmeninallages，andsummoneditsadvocatesfromallranks。Itsfoundationsarelaidinthedeepestandholiestconvictions，andfromwhateversoulthedemon，selfishness，isexpelled，therewillthiscausetakeupitsabode。Oldastheeverlastinghills；

immovableasthethroneofGod；andcertainasthepurposesofeternalpower，againstallhinderances，andagainstalldelays，anddespiteallthemutationsofhumaninstrumentalities，itisthefaithofmysoul，thatthisanti-slaverycausewilltriumph。

[Theend]