stion of
emancipation.

We believe most sincerely that an equalization of these duties--that an
entire free trade would do more than any other act to encourage an
adoption of our example everywhere: while the maintenance of monopoly
and high prices _as an essential to the carrying out of the experiment
of free labour successfully_--must be the strongest reason against its
adoption with all those countries who have no means of commanding this
accompanying confessed essential.

But now were it otherwise:--have the professors of these opinions ever
considered the huge responsibility which they arrogate to themselves by
such a course? Let these men remember that, by seeking to coerce the
_slave-labour producer_ in distant countries, they inflict a severe
punishment on the millions of hard-working, ill-fed _consumers_ among
their fellow countrymen; but they seem always to overlook the fact, that
there is a _consumer_ to consider as well as a _producer_;--and that
this consumer is their own countryman, their own neighbour, whose
condition it is their _first_ duty to consult and watch;--duty as well
as charity ought to be first exercised at home. That is a very doubtful
humanity which exercises itself on the uncertain result of influence
indirectly produced upon governments in the other hemisphere of the
globe, and neglects, nay sacrifices, the interests of the poor and
helpless around our own doors,--not only by placing the necessaries of
life beyond their reach, but at the same time destroying the demand for
their labour by which alone they can obtain them.

If _individuals_ entertain conscientious scruples against the use of
slave produce--let them, if they please, act upon them themselves, but
do not let them seek to inflict _certain_ punishment, and the whole
train of vice and misery consequent on starvation and want of
employment, upon their poorer neighbours, for the purpose of conferring
some _speculative_ advantage on the slaves of the Brazils or elsewhere:
no man can be called upon as a duty to do so great a present evil, in
order to accomplish some distant good, however great--or however
certain.

THE FALLACY OF PROTECTION.

All laws made for the purpose of protecting the interests of individuals
or classes must mean, if they mean anything, to render the articles
which such classes deal in or produce dearer than they would otherwise
be if the public was left at liberty to supply itself with such
commo