It will be observed that my argument on the subject of slavery is new,
and is drawn from the actual nature of the case. I offer no antique
authority to sustain the RIGHT of slavery. The history of the African
race for four thousand years is sufficient, which is, that in no
country nor condition has that race shown the capacity for or enjoyed
self-government. And, indeed, self-government with the superior white
races is still deemed but an experiment. The great mass of the white
races ever have been, and still are, governed by the strong hand of
despotism, or by the more plausible, but ofttimes not less diabolical
power of constitutional sovereignties, or hereditary or revolutionary
oligarchies. It is not, then, so great a disparagement to the African
that he is unfit for freedom, when nine-tenths of the foremost of the
white races, show not the capacity to enjoy it. Certainly, the African
is not their superior. Why, then, demand for him more than is allowed
to the superior white races? If emancipation is to be thought of,
would it not be well to emancipate the white races first?