Instead of
aiding slaves to escape, or rejoicing when we hear of runaways, I say we
should feel grateful, on our own account, and for the slaves, that the
South is willing to harbor them, and we ought to consider that the very
best thing to be done for them is to encourage the South in treating
them well, mitigating their trials and sorrows, and, in short, complying
with the Apostle's doctrine and exhortations as to the duty of masters.
But we have a way, at the North, of delivering over our Southern
brethren to supposed terrible liabilities in their relation to the
slaves. "They are sleeping on a volcano;" "they keep weapons under their
pillows;" "they are always in fear." And when a servile insurrection
takes place, many close their eyes and lift their hands, and say,
"Perhaps the day of retribution is come! They have been 'sinning against
the Northern conscience;' they have been resisting our well-meant
efforts for their good; we would not stir up the slaves against them,"
(some kindly say,) "but if they rise, did not Jefferson say, 'There is
not an attribute of the Almighty that would take part with the whites?'"
Thus we prefer to take Jefferson's opinion on this subject, though
hundreds as good and wise as he, and quite as decided in their
acceptance of the Christian religion, differ totally from him.
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