Lives of Distinguished North Carolinians, with Illustrations and Speeches
History
Lives of Distinguished North Carolinians, with Illustrations and Speeches
North Carolina -- Biography
A clause in the Declaration of Independence has been read declaring
that "all men are created equal." Follow that sentiment, and does
it not lead to universal emancipation? If it will justify putting
an end to slavery in Missouri, will it not justify it in the
old States? Suppose the plan followed and all the slaves turned
loose, and the Union to continue, is it certain that the present
Constitution would last long? The rich would in such circumstances
want titles and hereditary distinctions, the negro food and raiment,
and they would be as much or more degraded than in their present
condition. The rich might hire these wretched people, and with them
attempt to change the government by trampling on the rights of those
who have only property enough to live comfortably. Opinions have
greatly changed in some of the States in a few years. The time has
been when those now called slaveholding States were thought to be
the firm and steadfast friends of the people and of liberty. Then
they were opposing an administration and a majority in Congress
supported by a sedition law; then there was not a word heard, at
least from one side, about those who actually did most toward
changing the administration and the majority in Congress, and they
were from slaveholding States. And now it would be curious to know
how many members of Congress actually hold seats in consequence of
their exertions at the time alluded to. Past services are always
forgotten when new principles are to be introduced.
It is a fact that the people who move from the non-slaveholding to
slaveholding States, when they became slaveholders, by purchase or
marriage, expect more labor from them than those do who are brought
up among them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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