The Slavery Question - free ebook by John Lawrence

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The Slavery Question

John Lawrence

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THE SLAVERY QUESTION.

THE SLAVERY QUESTION.

BY JOHN LAWRENCE, AUTHOR OF “PLAIN THOUGHTS ON SECRET SOCIETIES,” AND “BRIEF TREATIES ON AMERICAN SLAVERY.” THIRD EDITION. THE DISCUSSION OF SLAVERY WILL PROCEED, WHEREVER TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED TOGETHER—BY THE FIRESIDE, ON THE HIGHWAY, AT THE PUBLIC MEETING, IN THE CHURCH. THE MOVEMENT AGAINST SLAVERY IS FROM THE EVERLASTING ARM. CHARLES SUMNER. DAYTON, O., PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE CONFERENCE PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST. VONNIEDA &amp; KUMLER,

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PREFACE.

PREFACE.

American slavery is a great sin—a complicated iniquity—a gigantic barbarism—and it “is evil, only evil, and that continually.” But the depth of this wickedness is not very frequently sounded, if, indeed it can be sounded. The magnitude of this crime is not often measured, if, indeed it is possible to determine its dimensions. Slavery has narcoticized the consciences of the American people to a most alarming extent. A deep sleep has come over the moral sense, which it would seem cannot be broken

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CHAPTER I. ORIGIN OF AMERICAN SLAVERY. THE SLAVE TRADE.

CHAPTER I. ORIGIN OF AMERICAN SLAVERY. THE SLAVE TRADE.

Seven millions of slaves in America—Slavery originated in the African slave trade—Slave-trade unprovoked—Excited by lust for gold—Commenced by the Portuguese in 1434—Spaniards in 1511—English in 1556—President Edwards quoted—100,000 annually destroyed—Report made to the British House of Commons—Startling statistics—A slave ship described—Slave-trade declared to be piracy and abolished page 13...

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CHAPTER II. SLAVERY DEFINED. PROPERTY IN A HUMAN BEING.

CHAPTER II. SLAVERY DEFINED. PROPERTY IN A HUMAN BEING.

A slave is a chattel—Authorities quoted—Advertised and sold as property—Facts adduced—sale of a boy—a woman with an infant in her arms—a mother—American slave-code identical in principle with the Roman page 30...

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CHAPTER III. SLAVERY ILLUSTRATED. THE CHATTEL PRINCIPLE IN PRACTICE.

CHAPTER III. SLAVERY ILLUSTRATED. THE CHATTEL PRINCIPLE IN PRACTICE.

Slaves denied an education—Laws—Instances—Slavery disregards matrimonial connections—Painful facts page 41...

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CHAPTER IV. SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

CHAPTER IV. SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

Slavery disregards the parental and filial relations—Facts—Slave-mother’s lament page 56...

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CHAPTER V. SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

CHAPTER V. SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

Slavery utterly impoverishes its victims—Exposes them to unbridled lust—unrestrained passion—irresponsible tyranny—Heart-rending incidents! page 64...

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CHAPTER VI. SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

CHAPTER VI. SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

Severity of laws against slaves—partial—unreasonable and cruel—Practice worse than the laws—Burning of slaves—Horrible examples page 80...

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CHAPTER VII. SLAVERY AND RELIGION.

CHAPTER VII. SLAVERY AND RELIGION.

Curse of Canaan —Doubtful authority—Did not allude to slavery—A mere prediction at best—Africans not the descendants of Canaan page 88...

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CHAPTER VIII. SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

CHAPTER VIII. SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

Patriarchal servitude and slavery —No patriarch ever owned a slave—Slavery had no existence in the time of the patriarchs—Diodorus, Athenæus and Rollin quoted—The Hebrew word SERVANT not equivalent to the English word SLAVE —Abraham’s servants converts from idolatry page 94...

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CHAPTER IX. SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

CHAPTER IX. SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

Law of Moses and slavery —Levitical statutes not perfect—Allowed what it would now be wrong to practice—Dr. Stowe quoted—Servitude under the law of Moses essentially different from American slavery—Meaning of “buy,” “heathen,” “bondmen,” and “forever,”—Servants not stolen—Voluntary—Provision for religious improvement—Kind treatment—Could not be sold—Equal to their masters—Certain emancipation—Salvation of the heathen the primary design of introducing foreign servants page 107...

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CHAPTER X. SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

CHAPTER X. SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

New Testament and slavery — Servants mentioned but not SLAVES — Doulos does not mean SLAVE —New Testament does not regulate slavery because it cannot be regulated—Slaveholders not addressed by the Apostles—Onesimus not a slave—Character of Roman slavery—Contrary to the fundamental principles of revealed religion—The character of God—Common origin of man—General Redemption—Moral precepts—And is necessarily unjust and unequal page 124...

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CHAPTER XI. AMERICAN CHURCHES AND SLAVERY. THE POSITION THEY OCCUPY.

CHAPTER XI. AMERICAN CHURCHES AND SLAVERY. THE POSITION THEY OCCUPY.

Presbyterians (O. S. and N. S.)—Congregational—Methodist Episcopal, North and South—Methodist Protestant—Wesleyan Methodist Connection—Baptist, Regular—Freewill—Seventh Day—Evangelical Association—United Brethren—Various Churches—Summary View page 149...

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CHAPTER XII. SLAVERY AND THE CHURCH. NON-FELLOWSHIP WITH SLAVEHOLDERS.

CHAPTER XII. SLAVERY AND THE CHURCH. NON-FELLOWSHIP WITH SLAVEHOLDERS.

Scriptural view—Church must keep slaveholders out—If they get in, it must expel them—If the Church sanction slavery officially or practically, withdraw from it—Non-slaveholding required that it may be holy—The pillar of truth—That it may honor the Scriptures—Convert the world—Be faithful to slaveholders and to slaves—Non-fellowship required by decency—humanity—If fellowshiped, we shall have slaveholding preachers, and women-sellers and cradle-plunderers for class-mates—Cases given page 169...

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CHAPTER XIII. SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED. OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.

CHAPTER XIII. SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED. OBJECTIONS ANSWERED.

Kind slaveholders—Examples—Excusable slaveholders—Slavery a political matter—Fault of the public corruption—Fault of the laws—Slaveholders from necessity—Slaves their property—All right ONLY this one thing—Take them in to convince them of the wrong—Mr. Fee’s opinion page 184...

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CHAPTER XIV. POLITICAL DUTIES OF CHRISTIANS. EXTIRPATION OF SLAVERY FROM THE WORLD.

CHAPTER XIV. POLITICAL DUTIES OF CHRISTIANS. EXTIRPATION OF SLAVERY FROM THE WORLD.

Necessity of government—Obligation of political action—Voters responsible for slavery—United States Constitution does not endorse slavery—Founders of the Republic intended that slavery should die out speedily—Character of the government changed—Great work for Christian citizens—Slavery in the District—Territories—Slave States—Throughout the world page 195...

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CHAPTER XV. ABOLITION OF SLAVERY. IMMEDIATE EMANCIPATION.

CHAPTER XV. ABOLITION OF SLAVERY. IMMEDIATE EMANCIPATION.

The duty plain and scriptural—Break every yoke—proclaim a year of Jubilee—Slavery cannot be reformed—Slaves prepared for freedom—Free people of color—Fugitives in Canada—West India emancipation—Colored people not dangerous when free—Amalgamation—Our fears originate in our guilt—Colonization scheme impracticable—Wrong—Watkins quoted—All objections mere excuses—We must emancipate to escape the judgments of God—Too long delayed—A good example page 206...

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CHAPTER XVI. WHAT OF THE NIGHT? THERE IS HOPE IN GOD ONLY.

CHAPTER XVI. WHAT OF THE NIGHT? THERE IS HOPE IN GOD ONLY.

The government intensely pro-slavery—Political horizon lowering—The great denominations and benevolent societies heartily supporting slavery—Ecclesiastical heavens dark—Deep prejudices in the masses of the people—Douglass quoted—God is on the side of the oppressed—He is stirring the nation—Question cannot rest—Agitation goes on—Truth is on the side of the slave—Literature coming to his aid—A pure Church arising to plead his cause—“ Toil and trust. ” page 219...

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AMERICAN SLAVERY. CHAPTER I. Origin of American Slavery. THE SLAVE TRADE.

AMERICAN SLAVERY. CHAPTER I. Origin of American Slavery. THE SLAVE TRADE.

On the continent of America and adjacent Islands there are more than seven millions of slaves. Between three and four millions of these are enslaved by the most liberal, enlightened and prosperous nation on the Globe. The American Republic is a great slaveholding nation, and, viewed in its slaveholding character, might fitly be termed also, the American Despotism . The highest form of freedom is here enjoyed by about twenty millions of persons and the lowest type of slavery suffered by more than

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CHAPTER II. Slavery Defined. PROPERTY IN A HUMAN BEING.

CHAPTER II. Slavery Defined. PROPERTY IN A HUMAN BEING.

That we may proceed intelligently in the discussion of the subject upon which we have entered, it is important to understand precisely what American slavery is. Some learned men have confused this subject by confounding the relation of the slave with other relations from which it essentially differs. An apprentice, a miner, hired laborer, serf or a villein is not a slave. All these relations lack, as we shall see, the distinguishing feature of slavery. The slave is placed in a condition far remo

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ANOTHER EXAMPLE.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE.

“I shall never forget the scene which took place in the city of St. Louis while I was yet in slavery. A man and his wife, both slaves, were brought from the country to the city for sale. They were taken to the rooms of Austin &amp; Savage, auctioneers. Several slave speculators, who are always to be found at auctions where slaves are to be sold, were present. The man was first put up and sold to the highest bidder. The wife was next ordered to ascend the platform. I was present. She slowly o

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CHAPTER IV. Slavery Illustrated—Continued. THE CHATTEL PRINCIPLE IN PRACTICE.

CHAPTER IV. Slavery Illustrated—Continued. THE CHATTEL PRINCIPLE IN PRACTICE.

3. Slavery disregards the parental and filial relations. The family is a type of heaven. It is the foundation of the social system—of social order, refinement and happiness. Destroy this relation and the most enlightened people will speedily relapse into barbarism. It is a God-instituted relation, and around it Jesus Christ has thrown the solemn sanction of his authority. Nature implants in the hearts of parents an affection for their offspring which is sweeter than life and stronger than death;

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CHAPTER V. Slavery Illustrated—Continued. THE CHATTEL PRINCIPLE IN PRACTICE.

CHAPTER V. Slavery Illustrated—Continued. THE CHATTEL PRINCIPLE IN PRACTICE.

4. Slavery utterly impoverishes its victims. The earth is an inheritance bestowed upon man by the common Father of all; hence every human being has an indefeasible right to live upon it and to acquire a possession in it. This right is not simply conventional, but it belongs to man as man . Now slavery is directly opposed to this law of nature. It strips a slave of everything, and of the power to acquire anything. No one is so poor as a slave. He cannot own a coat, or a pair of shoes, a house, or

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CHAPTER VI. Slavery Illustrated—Continued. SEVERITY OF THE LAWS AGAINST SLAVES.

CHAPTER VI. Slavery Illustrated—Continued. SEVERITY OF THE LAWS AGAINST SLAVES.

As the laws provide for the degradation of the slave to a state of the most stupid ignorance, it would naturally be supposed that little would be required in the way of obedience, and that when a slave did trespass a very light punishment would be meted out to him. Evidently this would be the humane and just course, for where little is given little should be required. In this, however, as in most other things slavery is precisely contrary to nature, humanity and reason. Slaves are punished by th

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CHAPTER VII. Slavery and Religion. “CURSED BE CANAAN.”

CHAPTER VII. Slavery and Religion. “CURSED BE CANAAN.”

Many slaveholders and their apologists have sought to find authority for the “enormity and crime” of slavery, in the Holy Bible. And we are not surprised that the vile oppressor, smarting under the lashings of a guilty conscience, and condemned by the united voice of reason and humanity, should fly for refuge from public scorn and condemnation, to a shelter, however insecure, erected by a perversion of the writings and example of those remarkable men, who fill a prominent place in sacred history

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CHAPTER VIII. Slavery and Religion—Continued. PATRIARCHAL SERVITUDE AND SLAVERY.

CHAPTER VIII. Slavery and Religion—Continued. PATRIARCHAL SERVITUDE AND SLAVERY.

The next Bible argument for slavery, usually adduced, is founded upon the assumption that the patriarchs were slaveholders, and particular stress is placed upon the example of Abraham, “the friend of God,” who, it is confidently asserted, was an extensive slaveholder. The Harmony Presbytery, South Carolina, “ Resolved , that slavery has existed from the days of those good old slaveholders and patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” The Presbytery of Tombecbee said: “In the Bible the state of slav

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CHAPTER IX. Slavery and Religion—Continued. LAW OF MOSES AND SLAVERY.

CHAPTER IX. Slavery and Religion—Continued. LAW OF MOSES AND SLAVERY.

It is claimed by the advocates of human bondage that in the law delivered by Moses for the government of the children of Israel, until the establishment of the kingdom of Christ, slavery is distinctly recognized, carefully regulated, and unequivocally sanctioned; and hence, that it is an institution upon which Jehovah now looks with approbation. We cannot believe, they argue, that it is wrong for christians to practice what the law of Moses permitted or sanctioned. To this argument we reply:— 1.

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CHAPTER X. Slavery and Religion—Continued. NEW TESTAMENT AND SLAVERY.

CHAPTER X. Slavery and Religion—Continued. NEW TESTAMENT AND SLAVERY.

Our Lord’s New Testament is the bulwark of human freedom. Its great, broad, solid truths constitute an impregnable foundation for a temple of liberty capacious enough to hold the entire human race. This is the last book in the world to search in order to find any thing favorable to oppression; and oppressors have usually preferred to “burrow amid the types and shadows of the ancient economy.” An effort has been made, however, to wrest a sanction for the abomination of slavery out of this last an

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Presbyterian (Old School.)

Presbyterian (Old School.)

The Presbyterian church (O.S.) stands fully and unequivocally on the side of the oppressor. It is true that a few earnest anti-slavery men may be found in this denomination, but their influence upon it is scarcely felt. They are not able in the least to modify the decided, unfaltering pro-slavery position maintained by the General Assembly. So far as I know, the most ultra friends of slavery are perfectly satisfied with the late ecclesiastical action and influence of this church. It makes no pre

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Presbyterian (New School.)

Presbyterian (New School.)

When the New School General Assembly was organized only three slaveholding Presbyteries were represented. There are now about twenty. A very large proportion of the ministers and members of this church are somewhat anti-slavery, and many of them decidedly anti-slavery; but the holding of slaves is not made a test of communion. Slaveholders have been and are now flocking into it. Ministers of the sanctuary and members of the General Assembly are slaveholders. Nevertheless, the action of the Gener

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Congregational.

Congregational.

It is somewhat difficult to define with any great degree of precision, the position of the Congregational churches in relation to slavery. Many of these churches are actively anti-slavery. The Congregationalists of Ohio, in a convention held at Mansfield: “Resolved That we regard American slavery as both a great evil and a great violation of the law of God and the rights of man; and that we deem it our sacred duty to protest, by every christian means, against slaveholding, and against any and al

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Methodist Episcopal Church (North and South.)

Methodist Episcopal Church (North and South.)

John Wesley pronounced slavery to be the “sum of all villanies.” The discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church is quite positive in its condemnation of slavery. Some of the early Methodist preachers gave no quarters to this sin. But as the church increased in numbers and popularity, slaveholders, who at first came in by mere sufferance, assumed a bolder position, and finally ruled the whole church “with a rod of iron.” The General Conference which convened in Cincinnati in 1836, after a warm

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Methodist Protestant Church.

Methodist Protestant Church.

This branch of the Methodist family is fearfully involved in the sin of slaveholding.— Slavery has silenced the voice of the church organ. Slaveholders have free access to its communion. The discipline contains a very disgraceful clause in relation to colored members. Article 12, Sec. 1st secures the right of suffrage to all male members who are WHITE . Article 7, Sec. 3, gives to each annual conference power to make for colored members of the church “ such terms of suffrage” as they may think p

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Wesleyan Methodist Connection.

Wesleyan Methodist Connection.

This denomination of Christians stands boldly and unequivocally upon the solid bible anti-slavery platform; and although not a large body, its influence has already been widely felt. It comes behind in no anti-slavery gift or grace. Its pulpit and press speak out earnestly and powerfully. The Syracuse Conference recently adopted the following resolutions, which are such as all the conferences of the connection pass unanimously: “ Resolved , That we hold—as ever—in abhorrence the system , esteemi

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Baptists (Regular.)

Baptists (Regular.)

The Regular Baptist Church occupies a decidedly pro-slavery position. Where slavery exists, it does not make slaveholding a bar to communion. It is true that there is a division between the Northern and Southern Baptist churches in benevolent operations , but this division is “one, not of principle, but of policy. Hence, there has been from the first, between the leaders of the Northern and Southern Associations, a cordial fraternization.” [20] This church is very influential in the South, and f

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Baptists (Free-will.)

Baptists (Free-will.)

The Free-will Baptist Church is decidedly anti-slavery. It stands in the front rank of those societies which are on the side of the oppressed battling for humanity. Amongst other excellent resolutions submitted by the committee on slavery at the last General Conference the following will show on what platform to look for a true Free-will Baptist: “ Resolved , That we re-affirm our opposition to the whole system of American Slavery; holding it to be absurd in the light of Reason, infamous in the

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Baptists (Seventh-Day.)

Baptists (Seventh-Day.)

The position of this branch of the Baptist family may be known from the following resolution passed by the Eastern Association: “ Resolved , That we enter our solemn protest against the system of American slavery, as a sin against God, and a libel on our national declaration, that “all men are created free and equal.””...

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Evangelical Association.

Evangelical Association.

The Evangelical Association has inserted in its discipline the following resolution which indicates its ecclesiastical position: “ Question. What is to be done respecting slaveholders and the slave-trade? “ Answer. We have long since been convinced that the buying and selling of men and women, and slavery, is a great evil, and ought to be abhorred by every Christian: be it therefore known to all fellow-members, that none shall be allowed, under any pretence or condition whatever, the holding of

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The United Brethren in Christ.[21]

The United Brethren in Christ.[21]

This church believes slavery to be in itself a sin. The Constitution, which can only be altered by a vote of two-thirds of all the members of the society, declares that “involuntary servitude shall in no way be tolerated.” The 32d Section of Discipline reads as follows: “All slavery in every sense of the word is totally prohibited, and shall in no way be tolerated in our Church. Should any be found in our society who hold slaves, they cannot continue as members unless they do personally manumit

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Various Churches.

Various Churches.

Besides the churches already mentioned the following are decidedly anti-slavery:—“Associate Presbyterian,” “Reformed Presbyterian,” “Free Presbyterian,” (of which the venerable John Rankin is a member,) many local “Independent” churches, and the “Friends” or Quakers. The Quakers have a world-wide reputation for practical philanthropy. And on the other hand the following large denominations are decidedly pro-slavery:—“German Reformed,” “Dutch Reformed,” “Cumberland Presbyterian,” “Lutheran” and “

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CHAPTER XII. Slavery and the Church. NON-FELLOWSHIP WITH SLAVEHOLDERS.

CHAPTER XII. Slavery and the Church. NON-FELLOWSHIP WITH SLAVEHOLDERS.

We shall now proceed to show what we conceive to be the true position of a Christian church in relation to slavery. It has been demonstrated that slavery is a complicated and monstrous iniquity involving a direct violation of the whole second table of the Decalogue. This being an established position it will not be difficult to determine the relation which the church should sustain to this sin, and to those who commit it. The scriptural position of a Christian and a Christian society in relation

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CHAPTER XIII. Slavery and the Church. OBJECTIONS TO THE EXCLUSION OF SLAVEHOLDERS ANSWERED.

CHAPTER XIII. Slavery and the Church. OBJECTIONS TO THE EXCLUSION OF SLAVEHOLDERS ANSWERED.

1. It has been objected that fellowship should not be withdrawn from all slaveholders, because some of them are exceedingly kind to their slaves. To this it may be answered that it is impossible for a master to be really very kind to those he holds in slavery, because the holding of them in that relation is extreme unkindness. A kind slaveholder? What entitles him to that character? Does he renounce the claim of property in his slaves? No. Does he hire them to work for him and pay them when the

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CHAPTER XIV. Political Duties of Christians. THE EXTIRPATION OF SLAVERY FROM THE WORLD.

CHAPTER XIV. Political Duties of Christians. THE EXTIRPATION OF SLAVERY FROM THE WORLD.

Civil government is necessary to the preservation, prosperity and safety of society. In some important sense, “the powers that be, are ordained of God.” It does not appear that the Creator has established any specific form of government, but the genius of christianity is evidently democratic. The leading objects of government are defined to be “the punishment of evil doers and the praise of them that do well.” When a government fails to protect and encourage the good and to punish evil doers,—wh

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CHAPTER XV. Abolition of Slavery. IMMEDIATE EMANCIPATION.

CHAPTER XV. Abolition of Slavery. IMMEDIATE EMANCIPATION.

Many persons, who appear to be sensible of the evils of slavery, seem utterly at a loss for some feasible method of abolishing it. “It is here in our midst,” say they, “and how are we to get rid of it?” To this question we have a plain scriptural answer. “Loose the bands of wickedness,”—“undo the heavy burdens,”—“Let the oppressed go free,”—“break every yoke,”—“proclaim liberty throughout all the land, unto all the inhabitants thereof.” Immediate, unconditional, universal emancipation is the onl

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