The anti-slavery party, as well as the abolition faction, claim for the Africans a democratic republic: that is, that they should have equal political privileges with the whites, and only be subject with them to the same modified form of slavery! On the contrary, we of the South maintain that, from their _present state_ of mental imbecility, moral degradation, and physical inferiority, they should be placed under that more decided form of control called domestic slavery. _Who is right?_ In discussing this question, we take the ground, first, that, in advance of all direct argument, we are entitled to the full benefit of the _presumption_ in argument--the burden of proof lies upon those who dispute our position; and, secondly, that we are right in fact--that the circumstances of the case demand this form of government on behalf of the race, as _their right, their blessing_; because this form of government, duly and properly administered, as it _may_ be, and _ought_ to be, is calculated to afford them the _highest_, if not the only amount of political freedom and happiness to which their humanity is at present adapted, and especially in view of their existing relations to a higher form of civilization, in the case of those among whom they dwell. 1. We are _presumptively_ right. The _onus_ lies wholly upon those who oppose our position. In taking this ground, we readily waive the _presumption_ founded upon the _mere_ fact that domestic slavery is an existing institution, and is entitled to stand as good, until the contrary is made to appear. We go back of this. We throw ourselves upon original ground. We say, that if this were now an original question in the country, the _presumption_ would be, that this was the appropriate form of government for the African race in this country. As an original case, it would be an undisputed fact that the race was in an uncivilized state. We have demonstrated, in a former lecture, that an uncivilized people is not adapted to a state of political freedom. To such a people dwelling in the midst of a civilized people, it could not be a _right_, because it would not be a _good_, but _an evil_, _a curse_. There is no reason to assume that to place them in this condition would elevate them at once to such fitness as would make it a blessing, but there is every reason to _presume_ that the reverse would follow an elevation to political freedom. If any think otherwise, the burden of proof lies upon him.