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Show vi The Author will not be surprised if he shall be charged with pre:-.nmption, in meddling with a subject \\·hich has already occupied the most profound reflections of the most eminent philanthropists and statesmen. He is sensible that ~111 attcmpf, in the present epoch of moral advancement, to prove the injustice and cruelty of the African Slave Trade, is entirely unneccs;ury. Every truly civilized mtion has already denounced and discarded it. But its effects, whether they partake of a like character with the;ir cause or not, still exist. Domestic Slavery, however noxious" weed to the tree of liberty, has taken deep root in this h1ghly fi.woured country ;-and men become slavelzolders a11d slaves by inheritance, without any exercise of their own wills, and arc compelled, (for the present) toremain so, by the coercive m;mdates of lmman laws! And who shall we blame? Or is it not of more importanca to seck an antidote to a dangerous disease, than to indulge in execrJ.tions against its authors ?-As much as the melan; choly condition of the slaves is to be deplored, but little less do their r.>asters claim the sympathy of the philanthropist, who is capable of perceiving the certamty of specific moral effects, from specific moral causes. The Author's chief solicitude is to convince the possessors of slaves, that the laws do not compel them to be tyrants, (as a worthy gentleman of that class of citizens has vu intimated) but that it is in their power, and will best promote their own interests, both pecuniary and moral, to civilize and instruct that inoffensive and helpless race of people, whose lot has been cast under their guardianship; -to be patrons, benefc'lctors,-neigllbours to them-and view them and use them, as constituting a portion of the admirable works of the same beneficent and omnipresent Parent, Overseer, and Proprietor, of us all; by, and in whom, we all live, breathe, and lwve our being. Philadelphia, Nov, 21, 1816. .. |
