There are important influences growing out of these relationships of superiors and inferiors,--gentleness, kindness, benevolence, in all its forms, on the one hand, and on the other, respect, deference, love, strong attachments and identification of interests.
"As to the remaining part of your question, let me ask, What nation or tribes are capable of such bondage as the Africans at home inflict and bear?
We never had a right to go and steal them, nor to encourage their captors in their pillage and violent seizure of the defenceless creatures; nor do I think that all the blessings which multitudes of them have received, for both worlds, in consequence of their transportation from Africa, lessens the guilt of slave-traders; nor are these benefits any justification of the trade, nor do they afford ground for its continuance.

Nothing can justify it.

Such is the voice of the human conscience everywhere except where covetousness or controversy prevail.
"But finding these colored people here, the question upon which you and I differ, is, What is our duty with regard to them?
"You say, Set them all free.

I reply, The relation of ownership on our part toward them is best for all concerned.

You say, It is wrong in itself.