In considering the subject of slavery, there is one principle which
must not, and cannot be lost sight of, as it underlies all else, and
is the root from which springs the tree of all knowledge on this
subject, as well as all others; to wit: That RIGHT holds a just and
hereditary control over _wrong_. Not because right is the strongest,
but because it is the BEST. It is very common when right asserts its
prerogative, that we hear the subjects and votaries of _wrong_
denounce RIGHT as mere _might_. This is a common foible of vice, to
conceal its own deformity; a mere subterfuge, which, when pushed to
the wall, vice adopts, and meets the executioner of justice with the
accusation that he is the mere instrument of might; the servile tool
of arbitrary power. This glozing of vice avails not. Justice stands
erect in the dignity of its own moral beauty, and commends itself to
the intellect and conscience of mankind. All the affections, all the
wisdom, and all the experience of men, do homage at the shrine of
justice, as the arbiter of right. This great moral tribunal,
established at the dawn of creation, has existed through all time, and
still exists; and at this tribunal we try barbarism, and find it to be
wrong, because it conduces to the misery and degradation of men. At
this tribunal, we find civilization to be right, because it conduces
to the happiness and welfare of mankind. This being so (and the man
who denies it, is a barbarian), it follows, that civilization,
carrying with it the preponderating elements of right and justice,
holds a just and hereditary control over barbarism, which is wrong.
When we assert, therefore, the right of slavery, because it is just
that barbarism shall subserve civilization, we only say it is just
that wrong should subserve right;--a proposition, which, certainly,
ought to commend itself to the common sense, the intellect, and the
conscience of every good man.
Some assert that civilization should subserve barbarism; but when
tried by our rule, they at once see that it is preposterous to assume
that right should subserve wrong.