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Show 48 for its own preservation. It Aies to an irresponsible dictator for its protection. But in these cases, tile great idea of Rights predominate<; amidst their apparent subversion. A power abore all laws is couferred, only that the einpire or law may be restored. Despotic restraints are imposed only that liberty may be rescuer\ fmm ruin. All rights are involved in the sa!Cty of the state; ami hence, in the cases referrerl to, the salety of the state ber·omes the suprciue law. The individual is hound for a ti 1ne to forego his freeJotn for the salvation of institutions, without which liUerty is but a name. To ar•rue from such sacrifices that he may be permane1~ 1y made a slave, is as great an insult to reason as to humanity. 1t may be added, that. sacrifices, which may be de!uanded for the saf'e1y.' are not due from the individual to the pmspenty of the state. The great end of ciril society is to secure ri~ht~, not aCCillllUiate wealth; and to merge the ((mller in the latter is to turn politieal union into degrJ.do1tion and a scourge. Tile COllll1ll.lllity. is bound to tal·a! t!Je ri~!Jts of each and all under ItS guardianship. It must substnntiate its claim to universal obedience by redeeming its pledge of univers<d protection. It must illnnoh.:lte no 1nan to the prosperity of the rest. Its la\\'s should be made fur all, its tribunals opened to all. It cannot without "uilt ai.Jandon any of its IIJelllbers to private op1~·ession, to irresponsible power. 49 We have thus established the reality and sacredness of human rights; and that slavery is au infraction of these is too plain to need any labored proof. Slavery violates not one, but all ; and violates them not incidentally, but necessarily, systematically, from its very nature. In starting with the assumption that the slave is property, it sweeps away every defence of human rights and lays them in the dust. Were it necessary I might enumerate them, and show how all fall before this terrible usurpation ; but a few remarks will suffice. Slavery strips man of the fundamental right to inquire into, consult, and seek his own happiness. His powers belong to another, and for another they must be used. He must form no plans, engage in no enterprises, for bettering his condition. Whatever be his capacities, however equal to great improvements of his lot, he is chained for life by another's will to the same unvaried toil. He is forbidden to do for himself or others the work, for which God stamped him with his own image, and endowed him with his own best gifts. - Again, the slave is stripped· of the right to acquire property. Being himself owned, his earnings belong to another. He can possess nothing but by favor. That right on which the development of men's powers so much depends, the right to make accumulations, to &~ain exclusive possessions 4 |
