a thorough discussion. Yet such an assertion would be perfectly true.
There is one side of that question, at which, during all the fierce
excitements of the time, we have scarcely looked; and which many, even
those who have taken an active and leading part in the controversy, have
not carefully studied.

The morality of our system of slavery has been fully and thoroughly
discussed, and may be considered as finally and forever settled, in the
judgment of all right-minded and impartial men throughout Christendom.
It may henceforth be taken as the _consensus omnium gentium_, that men
and women, with their children and their children's children forever,
cannot rightfully be made, by human laws, chattels personal and articles
of merchandise.

The economy of slavery has been discussed. Its relations to wealth, to
industry, to commerce, manufactures, and the arts, as well as to
education, public intelligence, and public morals, are so well
understood, that it is not probable that the efforts even of Jefferson
Davis, or the whole 'Southern confederacy,' with the aid of such
transatlantic allies as the London _Times_, will be able, in respect to
such matters as these, to change or even to unsettle the judgment of
mankind.

But there is another class of questions on which the public mind is as
unthoughtful and unenlightened, as in respect to these it is thoughtful
and intelligent. We have pretty well considered what consequences may be
expected from the continuance of slavery; but we have neglected to
inquire, on the supposition of the emancipation of the negro, what will
be his condition, what his future, and what his influence on our
national destiny. Upon such questions as these, we have, during the
controversy, dogmatized much, and thought little. They have called forth
many outbursts of passion, but very little calm, thoughtful discussion.

There is no lack of earnest and confident opinions in the public mind in
relation to this class of questions. It is in respect to this very side
of the negro question, that prejudices the most intense and inveterate
are widely prevalent; prejudices, too, which have exerted the most
decisive influence on the controversy, through every stage of its
progress. The masses of the American people believe in those principles
of political equality upon which all our constitutions are founded. They
not only believe in them, but they cherish and love them. They perceive,
too, by a kind of insti