increase among them. While they are a very great pest and heavy tax upon the community, it is at the same time most obvious that they themselves are infinitely the worse for the exchange from slavery to liberty, — if, indeed, their condition deserve that name.'"[1] From this distressing statement, we may learn the important truth — which many in their zeal are apt to forget — that freedom alone, without the intelligence and the disposition, as well as the opportunity to use it properly, — may become rather a curse than a blessing [2] And from the picture here presented,which is probably not a singular one, we may gather a very distinct view of the reason why, under Divine Providence, the state of slavery is permitted to exist, until such time as it can be removed, .without producing a still greater depth of moral evil than already exists in connection with the system. The reason why tyranny and despotism are permitted in the political world — the reason why the chains of the nations are not at once broken by the Divine power — is, without doubt,
- ↑ Plea, Appendix, p. 339.
- ↑ In this connection, it may be observed, that the mere escape of a slave across the line into Canada, is apt to be considered quite a sufficient guarantee of his usefulness and happiness. The following brief statement, however, by an English clergyman, sets the matter in a different and probably truer light [he is speaking of a negro woman belonging to his parish in Canada]: — "Her husband had been a slave in the States, and had made a premature liberation of himself by crossing the boundary line. Yet he could not gain a living by his skill and labor. He was a helpless and dependent creature. I perceived the necessity of conveying useful instruction to people inured to slavery, before emancipation and the rights of freedom are bestowed. Liberty to the captive is assuredly no blessing where this has not been previously provided." — Rev. Isaac Fidler's United States and Canada, p. 381.
