We are guilty of having been born so many degrees south or north, east
or west, of these Hebrews. We, by God's providence, are Gentiles. Our
chiefs sold us, and these Hebrews bought us. We were betrayed; we were
driven out of our homes; unjust wars were made upon us, to make us
captives, that we might be sold. And 'the Lord's people' bought us, by
his special edict (Lev. xxv. 44). Our brother-servants, unfortunate
Hebrews, get released in the jubilee year, except these poor creatures
who were so unfortunate as to be married in slavery, and, not being
willing to be divorced, had their ears fastened, with the ignominious
'awl,' to their master's door-post. God could have ordained that they,
with their wives and children, and we, with ours, should have release in
the fiftieth year. But, no! our bondage is forever, and so is theirs;
and our children and their children are to be servants forever. But we
hold it to be a self-evident truth that all men are born free and equal,
and have an inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness. Slavery is the sum of all villanies. Our master's will is our
law; we are subject to his passions; we are chattels; we 'are his
money.
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