, it ceased to
exist. In this way, and in this alone,--except by the deportation of the
slaves--has slavery ever ceased to exist, in any community; nor can it
be otherwise in the future. Emancipation in name, is not always freedom
in reality. The free blacks of our Northern States and the West Indies,
are, as a mass, more abject slaves than any on our Southern plantations.
Nor is it possible for them to acquire a more elevated position, until
they shall have acquired the requisite qualifications for that position.

At the present time, with the exception of serfdom, peonage, and
political slavery, this subordination is confined to the negro race. Why
is this so? Manifestly because they have shown themselves incapable, in
their own land, of emerging from barbarism, achieving civilization and
refinement, performing their duties to the human race, and becoming
entitled to a position as equals among the nations of the earth. Until
such improvement takes place as shall entitle them to this exalted
position, their own happiness and well-being, their duties to the human
race, the claims of civilization, the progress of society, the law of
nations, and the ordinance of God, require that they should be placed in
a subordinate position to a superior race. Experience also shows us
that this is their normal and natural position. In their native land
they still are what they have always been, a pagan, savage, servile
race, fulfilling their duties neither to themselves, to God, nor to the
human race; but under the tutelage of a superior race, they are elevated
in the scale of existence, improved mentally, morally, and physically,
and are thus enabled to do their part in contributing to the well-being
of the human race. But so far as our experience goes, this development
is not permanent, but is liable to retrogression as soon as the
influence of the superior race is removed. Like the electro-magnet,
whose power is lost the moment it is insulated from the vivifying power
of electricity, so the servile race loses its power when removed from
the control of a superior intellect. The example of our own free blacks,
those emancipated in the West Indies, Sierra Leone, and even Liberia,
are conclusive on this point.

It becomes us not to speculate too curiously concerning God's plan in
governing the world, much less to strive to thwart his purposes with our
puny arms; he will work out his purposes of good to the human race, in
his own good