is support.
The residue of the day is at his own disposal, and may be employed for
his own profit. We are not now, however, concerned about details. The
principle that "the laborer is worthy of his hire" and should enjoy it,
is a plain principle of morals and command of the Bible, and can not be
violated with impunity.

Again, if any man has servants or others whom he forbids to marry, or
whom he separates after marriage, he breaks as clearly a revealed law as
any written on the pages of inspiration, or on the human heart. If he
interferes unnecessarily with the authority of parents over their
children, he again brings himself into collision with his Maker. If any
man has under his charge, children, apprentices, servants, or slaves,
and does not teach them, or cause them to be taught, the will of God;
if he deliberately opposes their intellectual, moral, or religious
improvement, he makes himself a transgressor. That many of the laws of
the slaveholding States are opposed to these simple principles of
morals, we fully believe; and we do not doubt that they are sinful and
ought to be rescinded. If it be asked what would be the consequence of
thus acting on the principles of the gospel, of following the example
and obeying the precepts of Christ? We answer, the gradual elevation of
the slaves in intelligence, virtue, and wealth; the peaceable and speedy
extinction of slavery; the improvement in general prosperity of all
classes of society, and the consequent increase in the sum of human
happiness and virtue. This has been the result of acting on these
principles in all past ages; and just in proportion as they have been
faithfully observed. The degradation of most eastern nations, and of
Italy, Spain and Ireland, are not more striking examples of the
consequences of their violation, than Scotland, England, and the
non-slaveholding States are of the benefits, of their being even
imperfectly obeyed. Men can not alter the laws of God. It would be as
easy for them to arrest the action of the force of gravity, as to
prevent the systematic violation of the principles of morals being
productive of evil.

FOOTNOTES:

[260] See Cheever's "God against Slavery," and Wendell Phillips' Speech
on Harper's Ferry, &c., &c.--ED.

[261] Their object, evidently, has been to prevent the free people of
color from emigrating to Liberia, and to retain them in this country as
a cat's paw to work out their own designs.--ED.

[262] But for