12.4. ELIZABETH CADY STANTON, "DECLARATION OF SENTIMENTS" (1848) This document was primarily written by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a leading activist for the full citi- zenship of women. Passed at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, Stanton modeled her document after the Declaration of Independence. Win Then, in the course of human events, it becomes nec- women under this government, and such is now the essary for one portion of the family of man to assume necessity which constrains them to demand the equal among the people of the earth a position different from that station to which they are entitled. which they have hitherto occupied, but one to which the The history of mankind is a history of repeated laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should woman, having in direct object the establishment of declare the causes that impel them to such a course. an absolute tyranny over her. To prove this, let facts be We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all submitted to a candid world. men and women are created equal; that they are en- He has never permitted her to exercise her inalien- dowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; able right to the elective franchise. that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the for- happiness; that to secure these rights governments are mation of which she had no voice. instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent He has withheld from her rights which are given of the governed. Whenever any form of government to the most ignorant and degraded men—both natives becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of and foreigners. those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it, and Having deprived her of this first right of a citizen, to insist upon the institution of a new government, the elective franchise, thereby leaving her without rep- laying its foundation on such principles, and organiz- resentation in the halls of legislation, he has oppressed ing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most her on all sides. likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, He has made her, if married, in the eye of the law, indeed, will dictate that governments long established civilly dead. should not be changed for light and transient causes; He has taken from her all right in property, even to and accordingly all experience hath shown that man- the wages she earns. kind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are suffer- He has made her, morally, an irresponsible being able, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms as she can commit many crimes with impunity, pro- to which they were accustomed. But when a long train vided they be done in the presence of her husband. In of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the the covenant of marriage, she is compelled to prom- same object evinces a design to reduce them under ab- ise obedience to her husband, he becoming to all in- solute despotism, it is their duty to throw off such gov- tents and purposes, her master—the law giving him ernment, and to provide new guards for their future power to deprive her of her liberty, and to administer security. Such has been the patient sufferance of the chastisement. Source: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Matilda Joslyn Gage, eds., History of Woman Suffrage (Rochester, N.Y.: Charles Mann, 1887), 70-71. 86 HIS WUR IU VIO PIUPUIIJ UI UNUIU Ultiversity Press. Declaration of Sentiments 87 He has so framed the laws of divorce, as to what He has endeavored, in every way that he could, to shall be the proper causes, and in case of separation, destroy her confidence in her own powers, to lessen to whom the guardianship of the children shall be her self-respect, and to make her willing to lead a de- given, as to be wholly regardless of the happiness pendent and abject life. of women-the law, in all cases, going upon a false Now, in view of this entire disfranchisement of supposition of the supremacy of man, and giving all one-half the people of this country, their social and re- power into his hands. ligious degradation-in view of the unjust laws above \fter depriving her of all rights as a married woman, mentioned, and because women do feel themselves ag- if single, and the owner of property, he has taxed her to grieved, oppressed, and fraudulently deprived of their support a government which recognizes her only when most sacred rights, we insist that they have immediate her property can be made profitable to it. admission to all the rights and privileges which belong He has monopolized nearly all the profitable em- to them as citizens of the United States. ployments, and from those she is permitted to follow, In entering upon the great work before us, we she receives but a scanty remuneration. He closes anticipate no small amount of misconception, mis- against her all the avenues to wealth and distinction representation, and ridicule: but we shall use every in- happiness; that to secure these rights governments are mation of which she had no voice. instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent He has withheld from her rights which are given of the governed. Whenever any form of government to the most ignorant and degraded men—both natives becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of and foreigners. those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it, and Having deprived her of this first right of a citizen, to insist upon the institution of a new government, the elective franchise, thereby leaving her without rep- laying its foundation on such principles, and organiz- resentation in the halls of legislation, he has oppressed ing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most her on all sides. likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, He has made her, if married, in the eye of the law, indeed, will dictate that governments long established civilly dead. should not be changed for light and transient causes; He has taken from her all right in property, even to and accordingly all experience hath shown that man- the wages she earns. kind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are suffer- He has made her, morally, an irresponsible being able, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms as she can commit many crimes with impunity, pro- to which they were accustomed. But when a long train vided they be done in the presence of her husband. In of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the the covenant of marriage, she is compelled to prom- same object evinces a design to reduce them under ab- ise obedience to her husband, he becoming to all in- solute despotism, it is their duty to throw off such gov- tents and purposes, her master—the law giving him ernment, and to provide new guards for their future power to deprive her of her liberty, and to administer security. Such has been the patient sufferance of the chastisement. Source: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Matilda Joslyn Gage, eds., History of Woman Suffrage (Rochester, N.Y.: Charles Mann, 1887), 70-71. 86 MIS UURIJ UTU PIUPUITJ UI UNUIU Ullversity Press. Declaration of Sentiments 87 He has so framed the laws of divorce, as to what He has endeavored, in every way that he could, to shall be the proper causes, and in case of separation, destroy her confidence in her own powers, to lessen to whom the guardianship of the children shall be her self-respect, and to make her willing to lead a de- given, as to be wholly regardless of the happiness pendent and abject life. of women-the law, in all cases, going upon a false Now, in view of this entire disfranchisement of supposition of the supremacy of man, and giving all one-half the people of this country, their social and re- power into his hands. ligious degradation-in view of the unjust laws above After depriving her of all rights as a married woman, mentioned, and because women do feel themselves ag- if single, and the owner of property, he has taxed her to grieved, oppressed, and fraudulently deprived of their support a government which recognizes her only when most sacred rights, we insist that they have immediate her property can be made profitable to it. admission to all the rights and privileges which belong He has monopolized nearly all the profitable em- to them as citizens of the United States. ployments, and from those she is permitted to follow, In entering upon the great work before us, we she receives but a scanty remuneration. He closes anticipate no small amount of misconception, mis- against her all the avenues to wealth and distinction representation, and ridicule; but we shall use every in- which he considers most honorable to himself. As a strumentality within our power to effect our object. We teacher of theology, medicine, or law, she is not known. shall employ agents, circulate tracts, petition the State He has denied her the facilities for obtaining a thor- and National legislatures, and endeavor to enlist the ough education, all colleges being closed against her. pulpit and the press in our behalf. We hope this Con- He allows her in Church, as well as State, but a sub- vention will be followed by a series of Conventions ordinate position, claiming Apostolic authority for her embracing every part of the country. exclusion from the ministry, and, with some exceptions, from any public participation in the affairs of the Church. QUESTIONS He has created a false public sentiment by giving to the world a different code of morals for men and 1. What are the chief criticisms that this document women, by which moral delinquencies which ex- makes regarding the treatment of women in 1840s clude women from society, are not only tolerated, but America? deemed of little account in man. 2. What is the effect of Stanton's decision to copy the He has usurped the prerogative of Jehovah himself, language of the Declaration of Independence? claiming it as his right to assig for her a sphere of action, 3. How would Americans in the 1840s have inter- when that belongs to her conscience and to her God. preted this comparison? happiness; that to secure these rights governments are mation of which she had no voice. instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent He has withheld from her rights which are given of the governed. Whenever any form of government to the most ignorant and degraded men—both natives becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of and foreigners. those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it, and Having deprived her of this first right of a citizen, to insist upon the institution of a new government, the elective franchise, thereby leaving her without rep- laying its foundation on such principles, and organiz- resentation in the halls of legislation, he has oppressed ing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most her on all sides. likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, He has made her, if married, in the eye of the law, indeed, will dictate that governments long established civilly dead. should not be changed for light and transient causes; He has taken from her all right in property, even to and accordingly all experience hath shown that man- the wages she earns. kind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are suffer- He has made her, morally, an irresponsible being able, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms as she can commit many crimes with impunity, pro- to which they were accustomed. But when a long train vided they be done in the presence of her husband. In of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the the covenant of marriage, she is compelled to prom- same object evinces a design to reduce them under ab- ise obedience to her husband, he becoming to all in- solute despotism, it is their duty to throw off such gov- tents and purposes, her master—the law giving him ernment, and to provide new guards for their future power to deprive her of her liberty, and to administer security. Such has been the patient sufferance of the chastisement. Source: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Matilda Joslyn Gage, eds., History of Woman Suffrage (Rochester, N.Y.: Charles Mann, 1887), 70-71. 86 MIS UURIJ UTU PIUPUITJ UI UNUIU Ullversity Press. Declaration of Sentiments 87 He has so framed the laws of divorce, as to what He has endeavored, in every way that he could, to shall be the proper causes, and in case of separation, destroy her confidence in her own powers, to lessen to whom the guardianship of the children shall be her self-respect, and to make her willing to lead a de- given, as to be wholly regardless of the happiness pendent and abject life. of women-the law, in all cases, going upon a false Now, in view of this entire disfranchisement of supposition of the supremacy of man, and giving all one-half the people of this country, their social and re- power into his hands. ligious degradation-in view of the unjust laws above After depriving her of all rights as a married woman, mentioned, and because women do feel themselves ag- if single, and the owner of property, he has taxed her to grieved, oppressed, and fraudulently deprived of their support a government which recognizes her only when most sacred rights, we insist that they have immediate her property can be made profitable to it. admission to all the rights and privileges which belong He has monopolized nearly all the profitable em- to them as citizens of the United States. ployments, and from those she is permitted to follow, In entering upon the great work before us, we she receives but a scanty remuneration. He closes anticipate no small amount of misconception, mis- against her all the avenues to wealth and distinction representation, and ridicule; but we shall use every in- which he considers most honorable to himself. As a strumentality within our power to effect our object. We teacher of theology, medicine, or law, she is not known. shall employ agents, circulate tracts, petition the State He has denied her the facilities for obtaining a thor- and National legislatures, and endeavor to enlist the ough education, all colleges being closed against her. pulpit and the press in our behalf. We hope this Con- He allows her in Church, as well as State, but a sub- vention will be followed by a series of Conventions ordinate position, claiming Apostolic authority for her embracing every part of the country. exclusion from the ministry, and, with some exceptions, from any public participation in the affairs of the Church. QUESTIONS He has created a false public sentiment by giving to the world a different code of morals for men and 1. What are the chief criticisms that this document women, by which moral delinquencies which ex- makes regarding the treatment of women in 1840s clude women from society, are not only tolerated, but America? deemed of little account in man. 2. What is the effect of Stanton's decision to copy the He has usurped the prerogative of Jehovah himself, language of the Declaration of Independence? claiming it as his right to assig for her a sphere of action, 3. How would Americans in the 1840s have inter- when that belongs to her conscience and to her God. preted this comparison? happiness; that to secure these rights governments are mation of which she had no voice. instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent He has withheld from her rights which are given of the governed. Whenever any form of government to the most ignorant and degraded men—both natives becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of and foreigners. those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it, and Having deprived her of this first right of a citizen, to insist upon the institution of a new government, the elective franchise, thereby leaving her without rep- laying its foundation on such principles, and organiz- resentation in the halls of legislation, he has oppressed ing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most her on all sides. likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, He has made her, if married, in the eye of the law, indeed, will dictate that governments long established civilly dead. should not be changed for light and transient causes; He has taken from her all right in property, even to and accordingly all experience hath shown that man- the wages she earns. kind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are suffer- He has made her, morally, an irresponsible being able, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms as she can commit many crimes with impunity, pro- to which they were accustomed. But when a long train vided they be done in the presence of her husband. In of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the the covenant of marriage, she is compelled to prom- same object evinces a design to reduce them under ab- ise obedience to her husband, he becoming to all in- solute despotism, it is their duty to throw off such gov- tents and purposes, her master—the law giving him ernment, and to provide new guards for their future power to deprive her of her liberty, and to administer security. Such has been the patient sufferance of the chastisement. Source: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Matilda Joslyn Gage, eds., History of Woman Suffrage (Rochester, N.Y.: Charles Mann, 1887), 70-71. 86 MIS UURIJ UTU PIUPUITJ UI UNUIU Ullversity Press. Declaration of Sentiments 87 He has so framed the laws of divorce, as to what He has endeavored, in every way that he could, to shall be the proper causes, and in case of separation, destroy her confidence in her own powers, to lessen to whom the guardianship of the children shall be her self-respect, and to make her willing to lead a de- given, as to be wholly regardless of the happiness pendent and abject life. of women-the law, in all cases, going upon a false Now, in view of this entire disfranchisement of supposition of the supremacy of man, and giving all one-half the people of this country, their social and re- power into his hands. ligious degradation-in view of the unjust laws above After depriving her of all rights as a married woman, mentioned, and because women do feel themselves ag- if single, and the owner of property, he has taxed her to grieved, oppressed, and fraudulently deprived of their support a government which recognizes her only when most sacred rights, we insist that they have immediate her property can be made profitable to it. admission to all the rights and privileges which belong He has monopolized nearly all the profitable em- to them as citizens of the United States. ployments, and from those she is permitted to follow, In entering upon the great work before us, we she receives but a scanty remuneration. He closes anticipate no small amount of misconception, mis- against her all the avenues to wealth and distinction representation, and ridicule; but we shall use every in- which he considers most honorable to himself. As a strumentality within our power to effect our object. We teacher of theology, medicine, or law, she is not known. shall employ agents, circulate tracts, petition the State He has denied her the facilities for obtaining a thor- and National legislatures, and endeavor to enlist the ough education, all colleges being closed against her. pulpit and the press in our behalf. We hope this Con- He allows her in Church, as well as State, but a sub- vention will be followed by a series of Conventions ordinate position, claiming Apostolic authority for her embracing every part of the country. exclusion from the ministry, and, with some exceptions, from any public participation in the affairs of the Church. QUESTIONS He has created a false public sentiment by giving to the world a different code of morals for men and 1. What are the chief criticisms that this document women, by which moral delinquencies which ex- makes regarding the treatment of women in 1840s clude women from society, are not only tolerated, but America? deemed of little account in man. 2. What is the effect of Stanton's decision to copy the He has usurped the prerogative of Jehovah himself, language of the Declaration of Independence? claiming it as his right to assig for her a sphere of action, 3. How would Americans in the 1840s have inter- when that belongs to her conscience and to her God. preted this comparison? 12.4. ELIZABETH CADY STANTON, "DECLARATION OF SENTIMENTS" (1848) This document was primarily written by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a leading activist for the full citi- zenship of women. Passed at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, Stanton modeled her document after the Declaration of Independence. Win Then, in the course of human events, it becomes nec- women under this government, and such is now the essary for one portion of the family of man to assume necessity which constrains them to demand the equal among the people of the earth a position different from that station to which they are entitled. which they have hitherto occupied, but one to which the The history of mankind is a history of repeated laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should woman, having in direct object the establishment of declare the causes that impel them to such a course. an absolute tyranny over her. To prove this, let facts be We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all submitted to a candid world. men and women are created equal; that they are en- He has never permitted her to exercise her inalien- dowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; able right to the elective franchise. that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the for- happiness; that to secure these rights governments are mation of which she had no voice. instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent He has withheld from her rights which are given of the governed. Whenever any form of government to the most ignorant and degraded men—both natives becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of and foreigners. those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it, and Having deprived her of this first right of a citizen, to insist upon the institution of a new government, the elective franchise, thereby leaving her without rep- laying its foundation on such principles, and organiz- resentation in the halls of legislation, he has oppressed ing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most her on all sides. likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, He has made her, if married, in the eye of the law, indeed, will dictate that governments long established civilly dead. should not be changed for light and transient causes; He has taken from her all right in property, even to and accordingly all experience hath shown that man- the wages she earns. kind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are suffer- He has made her, morally, an irresponsible being able, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms as she can commit many crimes with impunity, pro- to which they were accustomed. But when a long train vided they be done in the presence of her husband. In of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the the covenant of marriage, she is compelled to prom- same object evinces a design to reduce them under ab- ise obedience to her husband, he becoming to all in- solute despotism, it is their duty to throw off such gov- tents and purposes, her master—the law giving him ernment, and to provide new guards for their future power to deprive her of her liberty, and to administer security. Such has been the patient sufferance of the chastisement. Source: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Matilda Joslyn Gage, eds., History of Woman Suffrage (Rochester, N.Y.: Charles Mann, 1887), 70-71. 86 HIS WUR IU VIO PIUPUIIJ UI UNUIU Ultiversity Press. Declaration of Sentiments 87 He has so framed the laws of divorce, as to what He has endeavored, in every way that he could, to shall be the proper causes, and in case of separation, destroy her confidence in her own powers, to lessen to whom the guardianship of the children shall be her self-respect, and to make her willing to lead a de- given, as to be wholly regardless of the happiness pendent and abject life. of women-the law, in all cases, going upon a false Now, in view of this entire disfranchisement of supposition of the supremacy of man, and giving all one-half the people of this country, their social and re- power into his hands. ligious degradation-in view of the unjust laws above \fter depriving her of all rights as a married woman, mentioned, and because women do feel themselves ag- if single, and the owner of property, he has taxed her to grieved, oppressed, and fraudulently deprived of their support a government which recognizes her only when most sacred rights, we insist that they have immediate her property can be made profitable to it. admission to all the rights and privileges which belong He has monopolized nearly all the profitable em- to them as citizens of the United States. ployments, and from those she is permitted to follow, In entering upon the great work before us, we she receives but a scanty remuneration. He closes anticipate no small amount of misconception, mis- against her all the avenues to wealth and distinction representation, and ridicule: but we shall use every in- the most degradea, wretched, and abject set or beings Children by an Americans that ever lived since the world began, and I pray God, [...] that none like us ever may live again until time shall I am fully aware, in making this appeal to my be no more. They tell us of the Israelites in Egypt, the much afflicted and suffering brethren, that I shall not Helots in Sparta, and of the Roman Slaves, which only be assailed by those whose greatest earthly desires last, were made up from almost every nation under are, to keep us in abject ignorance and wretchedness, heaven, whose sufferings under those ancient and and who are of the firm conviction that Heaven has heathen nations were, in comparison with ours, under designed us and our children to be slaves and beasts Source: http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/walker/walker.html 81 un nom This book is traceable. - HIVIO 82 RELIGION AND REFORM of burden to them and their children. I say, I do not know too well, that God is just, as well as merciful! - only expect to be held up to the public as an ignorant, I shall call your attention a few moments to that impudent and restless disturber of the public peace, by Christian nation, the Spaniards—while I shall leave such avaricious creatures, as well as a mover of insub- almost unnoticed, that avaricious and cruel people, ordination—and perhaps put in prison or to death, the Portuguese, among whom all true hearted Chris- for giving a superficial exposition of our miseries, and tians and lovers of Jesus Christ, must evidently see the exposing tyrants ... But against all accusations which judgments of God displayed. To show the judgments may or can be preferred against me, I appeal to Heaven of God upon the Spaniards, I shall occupy but a little for my motive in writing—who knows that my object time, leaving a plenty of room for the candid and un- is, if possible, to awaken in the breasts of my afflicted, prejudiced to reflect. degraded and slumbering brethren, a spirit of inquiry All persons who are acquainted with history, and and investigation respecting our miseries and wretch- particularly the Bible, who are not blinded by the God edness in this Republican Land of Liberty! !!!!! of this world, and are not actuated solely by avarice- [...] who are able to lay aside prejudice long enough to And as the inhuman system of slavery, is the source view candidly and impartially, things as they were, from which most of our miseries proceed, I shall begin are, and probably will be—who are willing to admit with that curse to nations, which has spread terror and that God made man to serve Him alone, and that man devastation through so many nations of antiquity, and should have no other Lord or Lords but Himself-that which is raging to such a pitch at the present day in God Almighty is the sole proprietor or master of the Spain and in Portugal. It had one tug in England, in WHOLE human family, and will not on any consider- France, and in the United States of America; yet the ation admit of a colleague, being unwilling to divide inhabitants thereof, do not learn wisdom, and erase his glory with another—and who can dispense with it entirely from their dwellings and from all with prejudice long enough to admit that we are men, not- whom they have to do. The fact is, the labour of slaves withstanding our improminent noses and woolly heads, comes so cheap to the avaricious usurpers, and is (as and believe that we feel for our fathers, mothers, wives they think) of such great utility to the country where and children, as well as the whites do for theirs.--I say, it exists, that those who are actuated by sordid avarice all who are permitted to see and believe these things, only, overlook the evils, which will as sure as the Lord can easily recognize the judgments of God among the lives, follow after the good. In fact, they are so happy Spaniards. Though others may lay the cause of the to keep in ignorance and degradation, and to receive fierceness with which they cut each other's throats, to the homage and the labour of the slaves, they forget some other circumstance, yet they who believe that that God rules in the armies of heaven and among the God is a God of justice, will believe that SLAVERY is inhabitants of the earth, having his ears continually the principal cause. I open to the cries, tears and groans of his oppressed people; and being a just and holy Being will at one day QUESTIONS appear fully in behalf of the oppressed, and arrest the progress of the avaricious oppressors 1. What arguments does Walker make against slavery? [...] 2. How does Walker's Appeal engage with the ideas or I say, I shall not take up time to speak of the causes language of the Second Great Awakening? which produced so much wretchedness and massacre 3. How does Walker use global history to inspire among those heathen nations, for I am aware that you action against slavery? RELIGION AND REFORM, 1820 TO 1850 12.1 DAVID WALKER, "PREAMBLE" FROM APPEAL TO THE COLORED CITIZENS OF THE WORLD (1829) David Walker was a free man of color born in 1796 to a free mother and enslaved father in North Carolina. He moved to Philadelphia and then Boston in the 1820s, where he worked selling secondhand clothes to sailors. He was active in the campaign against slavery, wrote for Freedom's Journal, the first African American owned newspaper in the U.S., and in 1829 published the Appeal. this enlightened and Christian nation, no more than a these United States, and having, in the course cypher-or in other words, those heathen nations of of my travels taken the most accurate observations antiquity, had but little more among them than the of things as they exist—the result of my observations name and form of slavery, while wretchedness and has warranted the full and unshakened conviction, endless miseries were reserved, apparently in a phial, that we, (colored people of these United States) are to be poured out upon our fathers, ourselves and our the most degraded, wretched, and abject set of beings children by Christian Americans! that ever lived since the world began, and I pray God, [...] that none like us ever may live again until time shall I am fully aware, in making this appeal to my be no more. They tell us of the Israelites in Egypt, the much afflicted and suffering brethren, that I shall not Helots in Sparta, and of the Roman Slaves, which only be assailed by those whose greatest earthly desires last, were made up from almost every nation under are, to keep us in abject ignorance and wretchedness, heaven, whose sufferings under those ancient and and who are of the firm conviction that Heaven has heathen nations were, in comparison with ours, under designed us and our children to be slaves and beasts Source: http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/walker/walker.html 81 A. In nom This book is traceable THULE 82 RELIGION AND REFORM of burden to them and their children. I say, I do not know too well, that God is just, as well as merciful!“ only expect to be held up to the public as an ignorant, I shall call your attention a few moments to that impudent and restless disturber of the public peace, by Christian nation, the Spaniards—while I shall leave such avaricious creatures, as well as a mover of insub- almost unnoticed, that avaricious and cruel people, ordination and perhaps put in prison or to death, the Portuguese, among whom all true hearted Chris- for giving a superficial exposition of our miseries, and tians and lovers of Jesus Christ, must evidently see the exposing tyrants ... But against all accusations which judgments of God displayed. To show the judgments may or can be preferred against me, I appeal to Heaven of God upon the Spaniards, I shall occupy but a little for my motive in writing—who knows that my object time, leaving a plenty of room for the candid and un- is, if possible, to awaken in the breasts of my afflicted, prejudiced to reflect. degraded and slumbering brethren, a spirit of inquiry All persons who are acquainted with history, and and investigation respecting our miseries and wretch- particularly the Bible, who are not blinded by the God edness in this Republican Land of Liberty! !!!!! of this world, and are not actuated solely by avarice- [...] who are able to lay aside prejudice long enough to And as the inhuman system of slavery, is the source view candidly and impartially, things as they were, from which most of our miseries proceed, I shall begin are, and probably will be—who are willing to admit with that curse to nations, which has spread terror and that God made man to serve Him alone, and that man