My object is to define and enforce our duty, as Christians and philanthropists." This was, by way of exordium, the powerful skirmish line of the address.
Assuming the existence of the evil, he advanced boldly to his theme, viz., the duty of abolishing it.

To this end he laid down four propositions, as a skillful general plants his cannon on the heights overlooking and commanding his enemies' works.

The first, broadly stated, asserted the kinship of the slave to the free population of the republic.

They were men; they were natives of the country; they were in dire need.

They were ignorant, degraded, morally and socially.