OCR Text |
Show 72 ON THE SLAVERY AND CoMMERCE We might flop here for a confiderablc time, and deduce many valuable lellons from the remarks that have been made, but that fuch a circumfl:ance might be conlidered as a digrellion. · There is one, however, which, as it is fo intimately conneCted with the fubjeet, we cannot but deduce. We are taught to treat men in a different mannel" from brutes, becaufe they are fo manifefl:ly fuperiour in their nature; we are taught to treat brutes in a different manner from fl:ones, for the fame reafon; and thus, by giving to every created thing its due refpeet, to anfwer the views of Pro~idence, which did not create a variety of natures without a purpofe or delign. But if thefe things are fo, how evidently againfl: reafon, nature, and every thing human nnd divine, mufl: they aCt, who not only force men into jlavery, againfl: their own co'!fent, but treat them altogether as brutes, and make the natural liberty of man an article of publick commerce! and by what arguments can they pollibly defend that commerce, which cannot be carried on, in any tingle inll:ance, without a flagrant violation 9f the laws of nature and of God I CHAP, OF THE HUMAN SPECIES. 73 C II A P. V. That we may the more accurately exa. mine the arguments that are advanced on this occafion, it will be proper to divide the commerce into two parts; firfl:, as it relates to thofe who fill, and fecondly, as it relates to thofe who purchaje, the bummt jpecies into llavery. To the former part of which, having given every previous and necellary information in the hill:ory of fervitude, we !hall imn1ediately proceeq. Let us inquire firll:, by what particular right the liberties of the harmlefs people are invaded by the prin~e. " By the ngbt of " empire," it will be anfwercd; " becaufe '' he pollelles dominion and power by their " own approbation and confent." But fubjeCl: s, though under the dominion, are not the property, of the prince. They cannot be conlidered as his pojje!Jiom. Their natures are both the f.1mc; they are both born in the fame manner; are fubjeCt to the fame diforders; mull: apply to the fame remedies for a c;:ure ; are equally partakers of the grave: |