ve, and
bring disaster on both master and slave. Because it strews the paths
of both master and slave with difficulties and dangers. Because their
interference makes slaves more impertinent and unhappy, frequently
subjecting them to harsh and cruel treatment.

I am opposed to their theories and views, because they are illogical,
and because so far as there is any truth in them, it is abstract
truth, and not real truth, as modified by circumstances. Because they
refuse to view things as they are, but rather as they should be, and
are utterly reckless as to results and consequences.

And finally, I am opposed to them, because there is no fairness,
justice, truth, or righteousness in them. The following is from the
Detroit Free Press; and I shall give it without comment. It is headed
"THE MORALITY OF NEGRO-STEALING."

"A novice might suppose, in witnessing the chuckle of satisfaction
that has been noticeable among a certain class of people hereabouts
within a few days back, that stealing is a virtue, and that the
receiver of stolen goods is, _par excellence_, a model Christian.
And even a man of some experience in the world might doubt the
morality of the precept "to do unto others as ye would that others
should do unto you," in view of the effrontery and impudence of
those who regard negro stealing as a Christian duty.

"A paper in this city, which professes that the free soil party do
not aim to attack the institution of slavery in those states where
it exists, unblushingly published a few days since the proceedings
of a meeting of free negroes, held on the occasion of the arrival
here of a quantity of runaway negroes from some of the Southern
States. We say, unblushingly, because more than usual prominence
was given to the proceedings in its columns.

"Now, there is no difference, under the Constitution and laws,
between stealing negroes from Kentucky and stealing horses from
Kentucky. The Constitution of the United States and the laws of
Kentucky hold one not less criminal than the other; and a paper in
this city would be just precisely as justifiable in publishing the
proceedings of a horse stealing society as the proceedings of a
negro stealing society. There is not less guilt involved in the one
than the other.

"For our own part we are disposed to call things by their right
names. We believe that he who would be guilty of aiding and
abetting the escape of