And it is not only a fact that slaveholders are not addressed in these passages, but _the directions given are such as no slaveholder in the world can observe_. How can a slaveholder give unto a _slave_ that which is _just_ and _equal_? The _slave_ can own nothing, will nothing, inherit nothing, and hence it is impossible, in the very nature of the case, for his owner to give him a just compensation for his labor. And the _slave_ has a just right to _himself_ to _liberty_ and the very first honest and enlightened effort of a slaveholder to give to his slave that which is just and equal would result in his _emancipation_! _Justice_ and _equality_ are incompatible with slaveholding. _Injustice_ and _inequality_ are its essential principles. Let us hear Mrs. STOWE'S comment on what Christian legislators have seemed to consider _just_ and _equal_ when making laws for slaves:-- "First, they commence by declaring that their brother shall no longer be considered as a person, but deemed, sold, taken, and reputed, as a chattel personal.--This is "just and equal!" This being the fundamental principle of the system, the following are specified as its consequences: 1. That he shall have no right to hold property of any kind, under any circumstances.--Just and equal! 2. That he shall have no power to contract a legal marriage, or claim any woman in particular for his wife.--Just and equal! 3. That he shall have no right to his children, either to protect, restrain, guide or educate.--Just and equal! 4. That the power of his master over him shall be ABSOLUTE, without any possibility of appeal or redress in consequence of any injury whatever. To secure this, they enact that he shall not be able to enter suit in any court for any cause.--Just and equal! That he shall not be allowed to bear testimony in any court where any white person is concerned.--Just and equal! That the owner of a servant, for "malicious, cruel, and excessive beating of his slave, cannot be indicted."--Just and equal! It is further decided, that by no indirect mode of suit, through a guardian, shall a slave obtain redress for ill-treatment. (Dorothea v. Coquillon et al, 9 Martin La. Rep. 350.)--Just and equal! 5. It is decided that the slave shall not only have no legal redress for injuries inflicted by his master, but shall have no redress for those inflicted by any other person, unless the injury impair his property value.--Just and equal! Under this head it is distinctly asserted as follows: There can be no offence against the peace of the state, by the mere beating of a slave, unaccompanied by any circumstances of cruelty, or an intent to kill and murder. The peace of the state is not thereby broken." (State v. Manner, 2 Hill's Rep. S. C.)--Just and equal!