There is nothing in the relation of ownership
to a human being which in itself is sinful, or wrong."
"If it is your purpose," said he, "to argue in favor of oppression,
perhaps we had better not pursue the conversation."
"Uncharitableness, false judgments, self-righteousness," said I,
"condemning a whole people for the sins of a few, are as truly
'oppression' as anything can be. I plead for no wrongs; I justify no
selfishness in the relation of master and servant; I regard the golden
rule of Christ as the law by which slave-holding should be regulated in
every instance."
"I never expected," said he, "to live long enough to hear of the golden
rule being applied to slavery! It would be like applying light to
darkness, truth to falsehood, holiness to sin."
"By what rule," I inquired, "do you think the lady is habitually
governed who wrote the letter which has interested you so much?"
"Why," said he, "there are good people under every iniquitous system.
These exceptional cases are not the rule of judgment with regard to the
nature and effect of a system."
"Can you not imagine one man owning another," said I, "under
circumstances, and with motives, and in a temper and spirit which will
make the relation most desirable?"
"I go further back," said he, "and I deny that it is right for one human
being to own another.
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