In What Way Would They Treat
The Ruined Owners Of The Slaves, And The Acres Of Land Which Would
Lie Uncultivated?
Of all subjects with which a man may be called on
to deal, it is the most difficult.
But a New England abolitionist
talks of it as though no more were required than an open path for
his humanitarian energies. "I could arrange it all to-morrow
morning," a gentleman said to me, who is well known for his zeal in
this cause!
Arrange it all to-morrow morning - abolition of slavery having become
a fact during the night! I should not envy that gentleman his
morning's work. It was bad enough with us; but what were our
numbers compared with those of the Southern States? We paid a price
for the slaves, but no price is to be paid in this case. The value
of the property would probably be lowly estimated at 100l. a piece
for men, women, and children, or 4,000,000l. sterling for the whole
population. They form the wealth of the South; and if they were
bought, what should be done with them? They are like children.
Every slaveowner in the country - every man who has had aught to do
with slaves - will tell the same story. In Maryland and Delaware are
men who hate slavery, who would be only too happy to enfranchise
their slaves; but the negroes who have been slaves are not fit for
freedom. In many cases, practically, they cannot be enfranchised.
Give them their liberty, starting them well in the world at what
expense you please, and at the end of six months they will come back
upon your hands for the means of support.
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