Chap. XXIX. SLAVEKY IN AMERICA. 595 



the French flag to support us." We thought that there were 

 thousands in France who would have kicked him for his 

 compliment to the tricolor. 



The result of our observation of the actual working of the 

 slave-trade at its source is, that it must prove an insurmount- 

 able barrier to all moral and commercial progress. The 

 different English statesmen, who have laboured for its sup- 

 pression, have shown profound wisdom and great political fore- 

 sight. Instead of viewing our leading politicians as eager only 

 for place and power, the efforts of Liberals and Conservatives 

 in this one direction would tend to prove them, in the widest 

 sense, promoters of peace and good-will among men. The 

 truth of this will become more evident, if we reflect on the 

 ultimate effects of the traffic. It perpetuates barbarism in 

 the country from which the slaves are drawn, and it has a 

 most injurious influence on the land to which they are taken. 

 The introduction of African labourers to compete with 

 Europeans renders labour unpopular among the latter, and 

 throws an obstacle in the way of the progress of society; 

 because nothing tends more to elevate a people than that the 

 best minds should be bent to, and delight in, labour dignified 

 by being undertaken for the general improvement. 



We would speak tenderly of the terrible revolution now 

 going on in America, which is so destructive to life and 

 property; for we deeply deplore the sufferings of our 

 brethren — the sad effects of slavery. The war is entirely 

 due to the presence in one section of that great country 

 of a slave population, whose number does not form more 

 than one-sixth part of the entire American community. 

 The introduction of an inferior race from a barbarous 

 country was a great mistake. To degrade and deny that 

 race the rights of manhood, a still greater blunder ; for 

 the debasement was sure to react on the master and on his 

 children. In fact, the degradation of the slave must not 

 only demoralize the master, but probably the master is the 



2 q 2 



