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Show GS LIBERTY AND SLAVERY. may desire both judge and jury to acquit him, but this is no reason why, if acting in the capacity of either judge or juror, he should bring in a verdict of acqnittal in favor of one jnstly accused of crime. If we would apply the rule in question aright, we should consider, not what we might wish or desire if placed in the situation 6f another, but what we ought to wish or desire. If a man were a child, he might wish to be exempt from the wholesome restraint of his parents; but this, as every one will admit, is no reason why he should abandon his own children to themselves. In like manner, if he were a slave, he might J1)ost vehemently desire freedom; but this is no reason why he should set his slaves at liberty. The whole question of right turns upon what he ought to wish or desire if placed in such a condition. If he were an intelligent, cultivated, civilized man,-in one word, if he were fit for frecdom,-then his desire for liberty would be a rational desire, would be such a feeling as he ougltt to cherish; and hence, he should be \villing to extend the same blessing to all other. intelligent, cultivated, civilized men, to all .such as are prepared for its enjoyment. Such is the sentiment which he AH.OUMENTS OF ADOLITIONISTS. 69 should entertain, and such is precisely the sentiment entertained at the South. No one here proposes to .reduce any one to slavery, much less those who are qualified for f1·eedom; aud hence the inquiry so often propounded by Dr. Wayland and other abolitionists, how we would like to be subjected to bondage, is a grand impertinence. We should like it as little as themselves ; and in this respect we shall do as we would be done by. But suppose we were veritable slaves- slaves in character and in disposition as well as in fact - and as unfit for freedom as the Africans of the South-what ought we then to wish or desire? Ought we to desire freedom? We answer, no; because on that supposition freedom would be a curse and not a blessing. Dr. Wayland himself admits that "it is very likely" freedom would be "the greatest possible injury" to the slaves of the South. lienee, we cannot perceive that if wo were such as they, we ought to desire so great an evil to ourselves. It would indeed be to desire "the greatest possible injuryn to ourselves; nnd though, as ignorant and blind slaves, we might cherish so foolish a desire, especially if instigated by abolitionists, yet tJ1is is no reason why, as enlightened citi- |
