The augmentation of slaves weakens the states; and such a trade is diabolical in itself, and disgraceful to mankind.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
The state of slavery is in its own nature bad.
Furthermore, the slaves cannot be put into a more wretched situation, ourselves being judges, and the community cannot take a more lively step to escape ruin, and obtain the smiles and protection of Heaven.
Slavery is something that is all too often swept under the carpet.
You got to remember that slavery's very complex. It has a lot of levels to it.
Every one must understand that, whatever be the evil of slavery, it is not increased by its diffusion. Every one familiar with it knows that it is in proportion to its sparseness that it becomes less objectionable. Wherever there is an immediate connexion between the master and slave, whatever there is of harshness in the system is diminished.
Excess of liberty, whether it lies in state or individuals, seems only to pass into excess of slavery.
Slavery is malignantly aristocratic.
If slavery, limited as it yet is, now threatens to subvert the Constitution, how can we as wise and prudent statesmen, enlarge its boundaries and increase its influence, and thus increase already impending dangers?
Slavery was not a bad day on the job. It was not your boss yelling at you. It was not hard work for little pay. This was a full system of human subjugation.
By adopting the other trade, we place ourselves by the side of those whose measures tend not only to the improvement of their own subjects, but to the emancipation of the slave everywhere.