his island were, from first to last, furious in their
hostility to the act of emancipation; and the effort seems to have
been, to make the apprenticeship bear as heavily as possible on the
colored people; so that, instead of preparing them for complete
emancipation, it has rather unfitted them for this boon. Still,
under all these disadvantages, there is strong reason for expecting,
that emancipation, when it shall come, will prove a great good. At
any rate, it is hardly possible for the slaves to fall into a more
deplorable condition, than that in which this interposition of
parliament found them.

The degree of success which has attended this experiment in the
West Indies, under such unfavorable auspices, makes us sure, that
emancipation in this country, accorded by the good will of the
masters, would be attended with the happiest effects. One thing is
plain, that it would be perfectly _safe_. Never were the West Indies
so peaceful and secure as since emancipation. So far from general
massacre and insurrection, not an instance is recorded or intimated
of violence of any kind being offered to a white man. Our authors
were continually met by assurances of security on the part of the
planters, so that, in this respect at least, emancipation has been
unspeakable gain. The only obstacle to emancipation is, therefore,
removed; for nothing but well grounded fears of violence and crime
can authorize a man to encroach one moment on another's freedom.

The subject of this book is of great interest at the present
moment. Slavery, in the abstract, has been thoroughly discussed
among us. We all agree that it is a great wrong. Not a voice is here
lifted up in defence of the system, when viewed in a general light.
We only differ when we come to apply our principles to a particular
case. The only question is, whether the Southern states can abolish
slavery consistently with the public safety, order, and peace? Many,
very many well disposed people, both at the North and South, are
possessed with vague fears of massacre and universal misrule, as the
consequences of emancipation. Such ought to inquire into the ground
of their alarm. They are bound to listen to the voice of _facts_,
and such are given in this book. None of us have a right to make up
our minds without inquiry, or to rest in opinions a