The above statements teach us that any attempts to force the Southern slaves away from their present relation, are in violation of the laws of Providence concerning them.  If they become free in a natural way, and can provide for themselves, or be provided for, it is well; otherwise, the South, and their present relation to the white race, are the bounds of their habitation fixed for them by an all-wise God, till his purpose concerning them as a race shall be made manifest.  The people of the Free States ought to thank God that the South is willing to keep the colored people.  Instead of inflaming our passions against the abstract wrongfulness of holding fellow-men in bondage, we should consider that theoretical justice to the slaves as a whole would be practical inhumanity.  The destiny of the colored race here is a dark problem.  But it is not for us to penetrate the future.  When God is ready to finish his purposes with regard to their continuance with us, He will open a way for their liberation; in the mean time it is our duty to protect them from their own improvidence and from the neglect and degradation which they would suffer at the hands of the Free States.  Instead of aiding slaves to escape, or rejoicing when we hear of runaways, I say we should feel grateful, on our own account, and for the slaves, that the South is willing to harbor them, and we ought to consider that the very best thing to be done for them is to encourage the South in treating them well, mitigating their trials and sorrows, and, in short, complying with the Apostle’s doctrine and exhortations as to the duty of masters.

But we have a way, at the North, of delivering over our Southern brethren to supposed terrible liabilities in their relation to the slaves.  “They are sleeping on a volcano;” “they keep weapons under their pillows;” “they are always in fear.”  And when a servile insurrection takes place, many close their eyes and lift their hands, and say, “Perhaps the day of retribution is come!  They have been ’sinning against the Northern conscience;’ they have been resisting our well-meant efforts for their good; we would not stir up the slaves against them,” (some kindly say,) “but if they rise, did not Jefferson say, ’There is not an attribute of the Almighty that would take part with the whites?’” Thus we prefer to take Jefferson’s opinion on this subject, though hundreds as good and wise as he, and quite as decided in their acceptance of the Christian religion, differ totally from him.  In strictly political matters, many of the same people who love to quote Jefferson against modern slave-holders, are of opinion that time and experience give modern statesmen some advantages in their judgments.  As to Jefferson’s oft-quoted remark, above cited, it appears to me that if the Almighty has anywhere set the seal of his divine blessing, clear and broad, it is on the Christian influence of our Southern friends upon this colored race.