Page:The rise, progress, and phases of human slavery.djvu/10

CHAPTER VI.

UNIVERSALITY OF PUBLIC OPINION AS TO MASTER AND SLAVES.

System acquiesced in by Slave-Class—Insurrections and Rebellions from other
causes than Hatred of Slavery—Rising under Spartacus—conditions
wanting for Success—Contrast of Modern Aspirations after Freedom—Example
from enslaved Roman Citizens—Preference of Slaves for their
Condition 33


CHAPTER VII.

COMPARISON OF ANCIENT AND MODERN SLAVERY.

Forces which overthrew Chattel Slavery—Advantages of Chattel Slaves over Freed-*men
and Wages-slaves—Natural Fecundity esteemed a Blessing, not a
Curse—Condition of American Slaves under Slavery 40


CHAPTER VIII.

EXPLOITATION-VALUE OF SLAVE AND FREE LABOUR.

Contrast of Plantation-Servants with British Workpeople—Affluence of former
American Slaves—Misery of Free Labourers and Artisans—Value of
Irish Peasants and English Workers—Free and Slave Children in
America 47


CHAPTER IX.

HISTORY OF EARLY SOCIAL REFORMERS.

Intention of foregoing Contrast—Difficulties of Christian Revolution, and comparative
Facility of coming Ones—Essenes as Early Reformers—Difficulties in
the way of Christian innovations on Pagan Slavery 54


CHAPTER X.

PROGRESS OF EARLY CHRISTIAN PROPAGANDA.

Opposition from corrupt Slave-Caste—Detestation of Christian Doctrines by Slave-owners—Incomprehensibility
of the new Doctrine of Equality—Absence of
a destitute Free People a Drawback on Reform—Spread of the New
Teachings—Alarm, and Persecution of the New Faith 61


CHAPTER XI.

THE FOUR GREAT PERSECUTIONS.

Obscurity and Insignificance of Early Reformers their best Protection—Christians
the great Levellers—Nero's Persecution—The Blood of the Martyrs the
Seed of the Church—Persecution of Domitian—Martyrdoms under
Trajan—Tortures under Antonius 68