Providence saw that the South was weary of the system, and wished to
throw it off. But the years of the captivity appointed of God had not
come to an end. Purposes of mercy for the African race had not been
accomplished; the South must be made willing to hold these poor people
for the 'time, times, and half a time,' ordained of God. To encourage
them, the God of Nature makes the great Southern staple, cotton, to be
in greater demand for the supply of the world; the cotton-gin is
invented, and immediately the slaves are thereby assisted to retain that
hold upon the South which was about to be broken off. All this seems to
me designed, as it certainly has the effect, to perpetuate slavery until
Providence shall indicate measures for the removal of the colored people
among us. This may be delayed for centuries to come. In the mean time,
we at the North, by keeping up our agitation of the subject, have
impressed the South with the importance of being united against us; but
if any of our schemes of emancipation had divided them, it would not
have been for the good of the slaves. So the abolitionists have been
fulfilling their destiny by fighting against Providence to help
perpetuate slavery till the Most High shall disclose his will concerning
it.
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