=Source.=--_The Political Life of George Canning_, by A. G.
Stapleton. 1831. Vol. III. p. 90.
He concluded with moving as a resolution, "that the state
of Slavery was repugnant to the principles of the British
Constitution, and of the Christian Religion, and that it ought
to be abolished throughout the British Colonies with as much
expedition as might be found consistent with a due regard to the
well-being of the parties concerned."
Mr. Canning rose immediately after Mr. Buxton had concluded, in the
hope that by at once making known the opinions of the Government
he might restrain the warmth of debate on so "fearful" a question,
on which he said the use of "one rash word," perhaps even of one
too "ardent an expression, might raise a flame not easily to be
extinguished."
After pointing out the impropriety, not to say unfairness, of
Mr. Buxton, in having recourse to the by-gone question of the
Slave Trade as a topick of declamation, and remarking that the
course pursued by that gentleman of addressing himself not to the
judgment, but to the feelings of the House, was the one the least
likely to lead to a satisfactory result, Mr. Canning entreated the
members to look at the then "situation of the West Indies not as
a population accumulated by a succession of crimes, but simply as
it then existed." We might deplore the crimes and condemn those
who had encouraged their commission; but committed they had been
with the sanction of the British Parliament, whose duty it then
was to look at the subject not with reference to the crimes alone,
but to the nature of that state of society which had grown up in
consequence of their perpetration.
"Looking at the West Indies," said Mr. Canning, "I find there a
numerous black population with a comparatively small proportion
of whites. The question, therefore, to be decided is, how
civil rights, moral improvement, and general happiness, can
be communicated to this overpowering multitude of slaves with
safety to their lives, and security to the interests of the White
Population? For the attainment of so great a good as raising these
unfortunate creatures in the scale of being, sacrifices ought
undoubtedly to be made; but would I therefore strike at the root
of the system--a system the growth of ages--and unhesitatingly
and rashly level it at a blow? Are we not all aware that there
are knots which cannot be suddenly disentangled and must not be
cut--difficulties which, if solved at all, must be solved by
patient consideration and impartial attention, in order that we may
not do the most flagrant injustice by aiming at justice itself."