It was designed not to appeal to the passions of the slaves, but to the conscience of the North.

But the South did not so read it, was incapable, in fact, of so reading it.

What it saw was a shockingly realistic representation of the wrongs of the slaves, the immediate and inevitable effect of which upon the slaves would be to incite them to sedition, to acts of revenge.
Living as the slaveholders were over mines of powder and dynamite, it is not to be marveled at that the first flash of danger filled them with apprehension and terror.

The awful memories of San Domingo flamed red and dreadful against the dark background of every Southern plantation and slave community.

In the "belly" of the _Liberator's_ picture were many San Domingos.