Question. Why do you consider it a duty to preach and publish
abolition doctrines?
Answer. First, I consider it my
duty as a Christian; for the system of slavery, as a whole, and in
each one of its details, is in direct opposition to the precepts of
the gospel. Secondly, I consider it my duty as a conscientious
citizen of this republic; for I believe slavery is prejudicial to
the best interests of my country; and I dare not hope that God’s
blessing will rest upon us, if we persevere in our iniquity.
Q. But the abolitionists are
accused of showing the worst side of slavery. Is it not true that
they seek to give an exaggerated idea of its evils?
A. I believe every man, who
candidly examines the subject, will come to the conclusion, that
every side appears to be the worst side. Allow me to give a brief
statement of the case. Between two and three millions of people are
compelled to labor without wages. They gain nothing more by working
ten hours than they would by working one hour. It is not in human
nature that they should be disposed to be industrious under these
circumstances. They try to do as little as possible. The chief part
of the labor that is got out of their bones and sinews is obtained
by fear of the whip. A peck of corn a week is the usual allowance
for the food of a slave. The planters generally estimate that a
slave can be fed and clothed at an expense of from fifteen to
twenty dollars a year. The following is the printed testimony of
Thomas Clay, of Georgia, himself a slave-holder, though reputed to
be an amiable, conscientious man: “A peck of corn per week, if it
be sound flint corn, is sufficient to sustain health and strength
under moderate labor. But there is often a defect in the quality,
and the quantity is then insufficient. The present economy of the
slave system is to get all you can from the slave, and give in
return as little as will barely support him in a working condition.
Even where there is not direct intention to abridge his comforts,
they are but little consulted; and the slave,[4] seeing his master
wholly engrossed by his own advantage, naturally adopts the same
selfish course, and, when not restrained by higher principles,
becomes deceitful and selfish.”
Q. If Mr. Thomas Clay is a good
man, and really thinks slavery so bad in its effects, why does he
not emancipate his own slaves?
A. If you were to ask him, I
suppose he would give an answer very common among planters. He
would tell you that he could not do it because the laws of the
State in which he lives impose such heavy penalties, that the
process of emancipation is extremely difficult and expensive.
Q. Who makes the laws of the
Southern States?
