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312 



IMPOLICY OF THE SLAVE-TRADE. 



slaves commit without the knowledge of their 

 masters, or those which, although they may be 

 afterwards known to the owners, have been com- 

 mitted without their concurrence, are not the 

 only evil actions into which this class of men 

 may be led. The owner himself, who has not 

 courage to revenge his own quarrels, may com- 

 mand that his purpose shall be accomplished by 

 one of the wretched individuals over whom he 

 rules. This has absolutely happened. 



The general tendency which is produced by 

 slavery, taken in every point of view, is to rouse 

 all the bad qualities of him who rules and of him 

 who endures ; by this system, a government per- 

 mits the demoralisation of its people, and that 

 the property of its subjects be laid out in a most 

 disadvantageous manner ; a great number of in- 

 dividuals must be supported, whose benefit to 

 the state is much decreased by the situation in 

 which they are placed ; and another class in so- 

 ciety is prevented from taking its due share in 

 the general advancement of the country. 



