all hopes of
future reformation of this enormous evil would be lost. They would go back
to a trade they had abandoned with redoubled attachment, and would adhere
to it with a degree of avidity and shameless ardour, to their own
humiliation, and to the degradation and disgrace of the nation in the eyes
of all Europe. These were considerations worth regarding, before they took
a decisive step in a business, in which they ought not to move with any
other determination than to abide by the consequences at all hazards. The
honourable gentleman (who to his eternal honour had introduced this great
subject to their notice) had in his eloquent oration knocked at every door,
and appealed to every passion, well knowing that mankind were governed by
their sympathies. But there were other passions to be regarded. Men were
always ready to obey their sympathies, when it cost them nothing. But were
they prepared to pay the price of their virtue on this great occasion? This
was the question. If they were, they would do themselves immortal honour,
and would have the satisfaction of having done away a commerce, which,
while it was productive of misery not to be described, most of all hardened
the heart, and vitiated the human character.

With respect to the consequences mentioned by the two members for
Liverpool, he had a word or two to offer upon them. Lord Penrhyn had talked
of millions to be lost and paid for. But seeing no probability of any loss
ultimately, he could see no necessity for compensation. He believed, on the
other hand, that the planters would be great gainers by those wholesome
regulations, which they would be obliged to make, if the Slave-trade were
abolished. He did not however flatter them with the idea that this gain
would be immediate. Perhaps they might experience inconveniences at first,
and even some loss. But what then? With their loss, their virtue would be
the greater. And in this light he hoped the house would consider the
matter; for, if they were called upon to do an act of virtuous energy and
heroism, they ought to think it right to submit to temporary disadvantages
for the sake of truth, justice, humanity, and the prospect of greater
happiness.

The other member, Mr. Gascoyne, had said, that his constituents, if the
trade were abolished, could not employ their capitals elsewhere. But
whether they could or not, it was the duty of that house, if they put them
into a traffic, which was shocking to humanity a