OBJECTION I. “Cursed be Canaan, a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.” Gen. ix. 25.

This prophecy of Noah is the vade mecum of slaveholders, and they never venture abroad without it; it is a pocket-piece for sudden occasion, a keepsake to dote over, a charm to spell-bind opposition, and a magnet to draw to their standard “whatsoever worketh abomination or maketh a lie.”  But “cursed be Canaan” is a poor drug to ease a throbbing conscience—­a mocking lullaby to unquiet tossings.  Those who justify negro slavery by the curse on Canaan, assume as usual all the points in debate. 1.  That slavery was prophesied, rather than mere service to others, and individual bondage rather than national subjection and tribute. 2.  That the prediction of crime justifies it; or at least absolves those whose crimes fulfil it.  How piously the Pharaohs might have quoted the prophecy, “Thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and they shall afflict them four hundred years.” And then, what saints were those that crucified the Lord of glory! 3.  That the Africans are descended from Canaan.  Africa was peopled from Egypt and Ethiopia, which countries were settled by Mizraim and Cush.  For the location and boundaries of Canaan’s posterity, see Gen. x. 15-19.  So a prophecy of evil to one people, is quoted to justify its infliction upon another.  Perhaps it may be argued that Canaan includes all Ham’s posterity.  If so, the prophecy is yet unfulfilled.  The other sons of Ham settled Egypt and Assyria, and, conjointly with Shem, Persia, and afterward, to some extent, the Grecian and Roman empires.  The history of these nations gives no verification of the prophecy.  Whereas, the history of Canaan’s descendants for more than three thousand years, is a record of its fulfillment.  First, they were put to tribute by the Israelites; then by the Medes and Persians; then by the Macedonians, Grecians and Romans, successively; and finally, were subjected by the Ottoman dynasty, where they yet remain.  Thus Canaan has been for ages the servant mainly of Shem and Japhet, and secondarily of the other sons of Ham.  It may still be objected, that though Canaan alone is named, yet the 22d and 24th verses show the posterity of Ham in general to be meant.  “And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.”  “And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his YOUNGER son had done unto him, and said,” &c.  It is argued that this “younger son” cannot be Canaan, as he was the grandson of Noah, and therefore it must be Ham.  We answer, whoever that “younger son” was, Canaan alone was named in the curse.  Besides, the Hebrew word Ben, signifies son, grandson, or any one of the posterity of an individual.[A] “Know ye Laban, the SON (grandson) of Nahor?” Gen. xxix. 5. “Mephibosheth the SON (grandson) of Saul.” 2 Sam.