The Way to Abolish SlaveryStearns, Charles (Abolitionist)
Religion
The Way to Abolish Slavery
Stearns, Charles (Abolitionist)
Slavery -- United States
Taylor made in the State. But all our churches contain such men,
and certainly are upholding Slavery. Witness the great number of
ministers in this State, who voted for Gen. Taylor. Drs. of Divinity, as
well as those less honorable; and some illuminated their houses in honor
of his election, as in the case of Dr. E., of Salem. Others preached
sermons in favor of the act, as in the case of Dr. S., of North
Brookfield. Probably there is scarcely a church throughout New England,
all the members of which, who voted at all, voted against the extension
of Slavery.
Before proceeding to comment upon the guilt of the church, in this
respect, let us for one moment consider the terrible situation of the
poor Slave, as hurried from his family, he is transferred to the
chain-gang of a negro driver, to be transported to California, or New
Mexico. "Husband, where are you going?" plaintively enquires the
sorrow-stricken wife, as he is knocked off upon the auction block to the
highest bidder, and returns to bid farewell to his companion. "Wife, I
know not! Farewell! farewell!" responds the sobbing husband; and away he
is hurried from her presence, and perhaps beaten for speaking to his
wife. An eye witness of these scenes, and one who has himself been
separated from his mother, says he has known the driver beat with sticks
the husband and wife as they clung around each other's necks, just
before parting. The author at one time, while travelling in Kentucky,
met a Slave who seemed very much dejected. He stopped and asked him what
the matter was. "Oh," said he, "I have been to take leave of my wife,
who has just been sent off to Missouri to live with my young mistress,
lately married, and I never expect to see her again, as long as I live!"
What must be the humanity of these persons who cannot feel for the poor
Slave in such conditions as these? No one denies that these things
continually happen at the South; and yet but little sympathy is excited
in consequence. The hearts of the people have become as hard as adamant.
Their sensibilities are totally blunted. They are destitute of all
feeling.
What a picture has just been presented before this nation! A new
territory, free from Slavery, demands protection from its awful curse. A
large majority of all the people in the United States, treat this prayer
with contempt, and virtually say it shall not be granted by voting for
candidates for the presidency, known to be in favor of its admission
there. Here the mangled victims of Slavery, have these 50 years, lain
bleeding upon the plantations of the South, loudly calling upon our
government to desist from protecting their cruel masters; but their
cries have been stifled by the clamor of noisy politicians, who have
talked of the necessity of preserving our glorious Union, at whatever
expense to the crushed and manacled Slave.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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