When God created man he endowed him with certain principles of action,
which distinguished him from the animal or brute creation.---It is a
question which involves in it much disquisition and philosophy, whether
men were aboriginally white, black, or brown; but the popular opinion
with us seems to be, that all men were radically white. We see around us
on the face of nature, people of various complexions, some of whom are
the sons of science and education; others beclouded by the chilling
mists of profound ignorance: Those, however, that are more enlightened
presumptuously advance in the face of truth, that they alone are
favoured mortals, because of their superiority in the knowledge of
things.---Fallacious reasoning!---God is an equal providence, his
endowments are not partial but universal. He has given all men equal
abilities, which time and circumstance have rendered more conspicuous in
some; and if the same opportunities, the same education, the same
youthful care and social intercourse had been extended to all---_all_
would have been equally conspicuous. The sons of Ethiopia would vie with
the ablest of mankind, we should blush to call them slaves, and attach
to their reputation a more becoming appellation. Were I to argue from
other deductions, I should justly be accused of an attempt to argue a
defect in the God of nature---impossible!---It may not be improper here
to ask the ingenious advocates for opposite principles, what grounds
they rest their theory upon. Alive to the feelings of sensibility, with
reluctance I anticipate their answer: “_Appearances are the criterions
by which we judge!_” Generous Deity! is a whole nation to be imposed
upon and bear the shackles of ignominious bondage, because there is an
external difference of appearances? I shudder at concomitant
reflections! and must suspend the inquiry with deploring their miserable
condition if they ever consult their consciences.