British Colonies in North America declare their Independence.—­A New Government established.—­Slavery the Bane of American Civilization.—­The Tory Party accept the Doctrine of Property in Man.—­The Doctrine of the Locke Constitution in the South.—­The Whig Party the Dominant Political Organization in the Northern States.—­Slavery recognized under the New Government.—­Anti Slavery Agitation in the States.—­Attempted Legislation against Slavery.—­Articles of Confederation.—­Then Adoption in 1778.—­Discussion concerning the Disposal of the Western Territory.—­Mr. Jefferson’s Recommendation.—­Amendment by Mr. Spaight.—­Congress in New York in 1787.—­Discussion respecting the Government of the Western Territory.—­Convention at Philadelphia to frame the Federal Constitution.—­Proceedings of the Convention.—­The Southern States still advocate Slavery.—­Speeches on the Slavery Question by Leading Statesmen.—­Constitution adopted by the Convention in 1787.—­First Session of Congress under the Federal Constitution held in New York in 1789.—­The Introduction of a Tariff-Bill.—­An Attempt to amend it by inserting a Clause levying a Tax on Slaves brought by Water.—­Extinction of Slavery in Massachusetts.—­A Change in the Public Opinion of the Middle and Eastern States on the Subject of Slavery.—­Dr. Benjamin Franklin’s Address to the Public for promoting the Abolition of Slavery.—­Memorial to the United-States Congress.—­Congress in 1790.—­Bitter Discussion on the Restriction of the Slave-Trade.—­Slave-Population.—­Vermont and Kentucky admitted into the Union.—­A Law providing for the Return of Fugitives from “Labor and Service.”—­Convention of Friends held in Philadelphia.—­An Act against the Foreign Slave-Trade.—­Mississippi Territory.—­Constitution of Georgia revised.—­New York passes a Bill for the Gradual Extinction of Slavery.—­Constitution of Kentucky revised.—­Slavery as an Institution firmly established. 412

HISTORY OF THE NEGRO RACE IN AMERICA.

Part I.

PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS.

CHAPTER I.

THE UNITY OF MANKIND.

     THE BIBLICAL ARGUMENT.—­ONE RACE AND ONE LANGUAGE.—­ONE
     BLOOD.—­THE CURSE OF CANAAN.

During the last half-century, many writers on ethnology, anthropology, and slavery have strenuously striven to place the Negro outside of the human family; and the disciples of these teachers have endeavored to justify their views by the most dehumanizing treatment of the Negro.  But, fortunately for the Negro and for humanity at large, we live now in an epoch when race malice and sectional hate are disappearing beneath the horizon of a brighter and better future.  The Negro in America is free.  He is now an acknowledged factor in the affairs of the continent; and no community, state, or government, in this period of the world’s history, can afford to be indifferent to his moral, social, intellectual, or political well-being.