The Right of American SlaveryHoit, T. W. (True Worthy)
Philosophy
The Right of American Slavery
Hoit, T. W. (True Worthy)
Slavery -- Justification; Slavery -- United States
Look at the African race on this continent, in this Republic, in
Canada, and in the Islands of San Domingo and Jamaica. Compare the
African in this Republic, under the wholesome regimen of civilization,
with his emancipated brethren in the West Indies, or his recusant,
fugitive brother in the Canadas. Has he not advanced here, and
retrograded there? Compare his condition in these States, North and
South. Why do the free States enact laws to prohibit the African from
coming into them to settle? Is it because he is a civilized man, an
equal, and a good citizen? Is it not rather, because the Anglo-Saxon
race shuns the supposed contamination of barbarism? The wisdom of
these prohibitory laws will be seen in the future time; when the idea
of Negro equality has become exploded and obsolete; after the question
of emancipation has served its purpose in political combination; but
alas! not until the fallacy of negro equality has resulted in a
mongrel race which will have spread itself like the shadow of a cloud
over some of the fairest portions of freedom's heritage.
THE AFRICAN IS DEEMED A BARBARIAN IN THE NORTHERN STATES.
It will be seen that the arguments here advanced are predicated, to
some extent, upon the fact that the African is a barbarian. That he is
so in his native wilds, we have shown by high authority. That he is so
in this country, is obvious, from the fact that in the South he is
held a slave, and is satisfied with his condition; and because, as a
race, the African in this country, and on this continent, shows not
the least capacity for self-control. In the South, the African, in his
best estate, is a slave. In the North, laws are wisely enacted to
prevent him from going there, because of his barbarism, and because
that portion of the most advanced race on earth shrinks from contact
with it. The fact, then, of his barbarism is sustained, fully,--by his
normal condition in Africa; his condition of retrogradation in Jamaica
and San Domingo, where the experiment of emancipation has proved a
failure, where the relapse into barbarism is sure and irrevocable; and
in this country, where common sense and public opinion and public law,
both North and South, hold him in the condition of social, moral, and
physical vassalage and servitude, and confine him effectually within
certain prescribed limits, or hold him in that marked estimation of
inferiority which makes him forever conscious of his own degradation.
I have felt justified, therefore, not by way of opprobrium, nor in the
spirit of invidious or odious comparison, to name the category in
which he belongs, and then, by fair moral and philosophical argument
to deduce the justice and right of civilization in holding dominion
over him.
EMANCIPATION IS WRONG.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account