and reduces the conduct of man to the standard of
brutes.' What right have you to expect greater things of these
poor mortals? You would not blame a brute for committing ravages
upon his prey; nor ought you to censure a slave for making
attempts to regain his liberty, even at the risk of life itself.

"Such are the effects of subjecting man to slavery, that it
destroys every human principle, vitiates the mind, instills ideas
of unlawful cruelties, and subverts the springs of government.

"What a distressing scene is here before us? America, I start at
your situation! These direful effects of slavery demand your most
serious attention. What! shall a people who flew to arms with the
valor of Roman citizens when encroachments were made upon their
liberties by the invasion of foreign powers, now basely descend to
cherish the seed and propagate the growth of the evil which they
boldly sought to eradicate? To the eternal infamy of our country
this will be handed down to posterity, written in the blood of
African innocence. If your forefathers have been degenerate enough
to introduce slavery into your country to contaminate the minds of
her citizens, you ought to have the virtue of extirpating it.

"In the first struggles for American freedom, in the enthusiastic
ardor of attaining liberty and independence, one of the most noble
sentiments that ever adorned the human breast was loudly
proclaimed in all her councils. Deeply penetrated with the sense
of equality, they held it as a fixed principle, 'that all men are
by nature, and of right ought to be, free; that they were created
equal, and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable
rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness. Nevertheless, _when_ the blessings of peace were
showered upon them; _when_ they had obtained these rights which
they had so boldly contended for, _then_ they became apostates to
their principles, and riveted the fetters of slavery upon the
unfortunate African.

"Deceitful men! Who could have suggested that American patriotism
would at this day countenance a conduct so inconsistent; that
while America boasts of being a land of freedom, and an asylum for
the oppressed of Europe, she should at the same time foster an
abominable nursery of slaves to check the shoots of her growing