were a school of virtue, and not eminently an occasion of vice.  Truer far is Homer’s morality, who says, that a man loses half his virtue on the day he is made a slave.  As to the pretence that slaves are not fit for freedom, those Englishmen who are old enough to remember the awful predictions which West Indian planters used to pour forth about the bloodshed and confusion which would ensue, if they were hindered by law from scourging black men and violating black women, might, I think, afford to despise the danger of enacting that men and women shall be treated as men and women, and not made tools of vice end victims of cruelty.  If ever sudden emancipation ought to have produced violences and wrong from the emancipated, it was in Jamaica, where the oppression and ill-will was so great; yet the freed blacks have not in fifteen years inflicted on the whites as much lawless violence as they suffered themselves in six months of apprenticeship.  It is the masters of slaves, not the slaves, who are deficient in self-rule; and slavery is doubly detestable, because it depraves the masters.

What degree of “worldly moderation and economical forethought” is needed by a practical statesman in effecting the liberation of slaves, it is no business of mine to discuss.  I however feel assured, that no constitutional statesman, having to contend against the political votes of numerous and powerful slave-owners, who believe their fortunes to be at stake, will ever be found to undertake the task at all, against the enormous resistance of avarice and habit, unless religious teachers pierce the conscience of the nation by denouncing slavery as an essential wickedness.  Even the petty West Indian interests—­a mere fraction of the English empire—­were too powerful, until this doctrine was taught.  Mr. Canning in parliament spoke emphatically against slavery, but did not dare to bring in a bill against it.  When such is English experience, I cannot but expect the same will prove true in America.

In replying to objectors, I have been carried beyond my narrative, and have written from my present point of view; I may therefore here complete this part of the argument, though by anticipation.

The New Testament has beautifully laid down Truth and Love as the culminating virtues of man; but it has imperfectly discerned that Love is impossible where Justice does not go first.  Regarding this world as destined to be soon burnt up, it despaired of improving the foundations of society, and laid down the principle of Non-resistance, even to Injurious force, in terms so unlimited, as practically to throw its entire weight into the scale of tyranny.  It recognises individuals who call themselves kings or magistrates (however tyrannical and usurping), as Powers ordained of God:  it does not recognize nations as Communities ordained of God, or as having any power and authority whatsoever, as against pretentious individuals.  To obey a king, is strenuously enforced;