They are known by clergymen who yet would not on any account so
far commit themselves as to preach on the evils of slavery, or pray
for the slaves in their pulpits. They are known by politicians who yet
give their votes for slavery extension and perpetuation.
This year both our great leading parties voted to suppress all
agitation of the subject, and in both those parties were men who knew
personally facts of slavery and the internal slave-trade that one
would think no man could ever forget. Men _united_ in pledging
themselves to the Fugitive Slave Law, who yet would tell you in
private conversation that it was an abomination, and who do not
hesitate to say, that as a matter of practice they always help the
fugitive because they _can't_ do otherwise.
The moral effect of this constant insincerity, the moral effect of
witnessing and becoming accustomed to the most appalling forms of
crime and oppression, is to me the most awful and distressing part of
the subject. Nothing makes me feel it so painfully as to see with how
much more keenness the English feel the disclosures of my book than
the Americans. I myself am blunted by use--by seeing, touching,
handling the details. In dealing even for the ransom of slaves, in
learning market prices of men, women, and children, I feel that I
acquire a horrible familiarity with evil.
Here, then, the great, wise, and powerful mind of England, if she will
but fully master the subject, may greatly help us.
Pages:
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197