Cannibals all! or, Slaves without masters — John Shaqi
Cannibals all! or, Slaves without mastersFitzhugh, George
General
Cannibals all! or, Slaves without masters
Fitzhugh, George
Slave labor; Slavery -- Justification; Slavery -- United States; Working class
when prudently framed, are by no means subversive, but rather
introductive of liberty; for, (as Mr. Locke has well observed,)
where there is no law, there is no freedom. But then, on the other
hand, that constitution or frame of government--that system of
laws, is alone calculated to maintain civil liberty, which leaves
the subject entire master of his own conduct, except in those
points wherein the public good requires some direction or
restraint.
The idea and practice of this political or civil liberty, flourish
in their highest vigor in those kingdoms where it falls little
short of perfection, and can only be lost or destroyed by the
folly or demerits of its owner: the legislature, and of course the
laws of England, being peculiarly adapted to the preservation of
this inestimable blessing even in the meanest subject.
Very different from the modern constitutions of other States on
the continent of Europe, and from the genius of the imperial law,
which, in general, are calculated to vest an arbitrary and
despotic power of controlling the actions of the subject, in the
prince or in a few grandees. And this spirit of liberty is so
deeply implanted in our constitution, and rooted even in our very
soil, that a slave, or a negro, the moment he lands in England,
falls under the protection of the laws, and so far becomes a
freeman, though the master's right to his service may possibly
still continue.
Next to personal security, the law of England regards, asserts and
preserves the personal liberty of individuals. This personal
liberty consists in the power of locomotion, of changing
situation, or removing one's person to whatever place one's
inclinations may direct, without imprisonment or restraint, unless
by due course of law. Concerning which, we may make the same
observations as upon the preceding article; that it is a right
strictly natural; that the laws of England have never abridged it
without sufficient cause; and, that in this kingdom, it can never
be abridged at the mere discretion of the magistrate, without the
explicit permission of the laws."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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