Opis: Statements Respecting the American Abolitionists - Society Bristol and Clifton Ladies' An

Excerpt from Statements Respecting the American Abolitionists: By Their Opponents and Their Friends; Indicating the Present Struggle Between Slavery and Freedom in the United States of America

These counter-statements to portions of articles published in the British Banner of Jan. 28, Feb. 11, and March 24, 1852, have been collected to illustrate the vague and inconclusive nature of the accusations usually brought against American abolitionists, and the systematic misrepresentations to which their proceedings are subjected. Also to exhibit the disingenuousness of using detached passages from reports of speeches made by individuals on various occasions, as exponents of the principles of a society whose action is limited to a specific object.

The chief design of this pamphlet, however, is to neutralize the injustice done to the anti-slavery cause, by those who allege the "infidelity" of abolitionists, in order to screen the reluctance evinced by ministers of the Gospel "to proclaim the opening of the prison to them that are bound."

The following pages show that these charges are usually untrue; and that, even if they were true, they in no degree clear the character or justify the position of the pro-slavery Churches and Clergy of the United States. The abolitionists maintain that slavery is inevitably a compound of wickedness, cruelty, and injustice; that it is the "sum of all villanies;" that wherever such a system prevails, and is fostered by Church and State, morals, religion, justice, and liberty are in fearful danger; and that the truest friends of these blessings are not the Churches and Clergy who countenance or advocate the slave system, but the faithful few, who in the teeth of calumny, hatred, and hostility, have devoted their lives, fortunes, talents, and reputations to its overthrow.

In the United States of North America, property in human beings constitutes the greatest commercial "interest." The number of slaveholders is about 150,000. The value of slave property was estimated some years ago, by the Hon Henry Clay, an eminent American slaveholder, orator, statesman, and presidential candidate, at 1,200 millions of dollars, or 240,000,000 sterling. The institution of slavery is termed "their peculiar institution" by the Slave States, and as such is watched and guarded with the most jealous care. General George Mac Duffie, of South Carolina, declared that slavery is "the corner-stone of our Republican edifice," and that, if on his death-bed, he would bequeath its defence and preservation as a legacy to his children. The intercourse of the Free with the Slave States is so intimate, that their interests appear to be almost inextricably mingled. They are united in the closest manner by domestic, social, political, and religious ties. Northern ministers, merchants, teachers, physicians, and lawyers settle in the Slave States. The daughters of northern men marry slaveholders, and become the owners of slaves.

The Constitution of the United States, the charter by which the Union is maintained, contains many provisions for preserving their human property to the slaveholders, and pledging the Northern States to use their physical power for this purpose. The late Fugitive Slave Law was merely an Act to amend and confirm Acts already in existence, for the restoration of fugitives to bondage. In the United States, the preservation of the Union is considered essential to the national existence and prosperity; and attacks upon slavery are resented, not from an abstract love of the system, but because they alarm the Southern States and thus endanger the Union.

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Szczegóły: Statements Respecting the American Abolitionists - Society Bristol and Clifton Ladies' An

Nazwa: Statements Respecting the American Abolitionists By Their Opponents and Their Friends; Indicating the Present Struggle Between Slavery and Freedom in the United States of America (Classic Reprint)
Autor: Society Bristol and Clifton Ladies' An
Wydawnictwo: FB &c Ltd
Kod paskowy: 9781331734956
Języki: angielski
Ilość stron: 30
Format: 15.2x22.9cm
Oprawa: Miękka

Recenzje: Statements Respecting the American Abolitionists - Society Bristol and Clifton Ladies' An