UNCLE TOM'S CABIN

Just
" Just
Just
CHAPTER
KEY TO UNCLE TOM S CABIN. 241
VIII.
"
Masters,give unto your servants that which isjust
and equal."
From
it is presumedthat it -will appear
that
abolitionof slavery.
But we wish to givestillfurther consideration
to one idea which is often put forward
by those who defend American slavery Ịt
is this. That the institutionis not of itself
"
see ifit bear thischaracter.
a sinful one, and that the onlysin consists First,theycommence by declaring that
in the neglect of its relative duties. All their brothershall no longer be considered
that is necessary, theysay, is to regulateas a
person, but deemed,sold țaken,and
the institutionby the precepts of the gospel. reputed, as a chattelpersonal. This
They admit that no
slavery is defensibleand equal ! "
which is not so regulated.
of
that American
its
If,therefore, it shall appear
slave-law cannot be regulatedby the
precepts of the gospel,
as will entirely
without such alterations
do away the whole
"
system, then it will appear that it is an
unchristian institution, against every
Christian is bound to remonstrate, and from
which he should entirely withdraw.
The Roman slave-codewas a code made by
heathen, by a race, too,proverbially stern
and unfeelingỊt was made in the darkest
ages of the world,before the lightof the
gospel had dawned. Christianity gradually
but certainly
later, a
company of men,
go to the continent of Africa;there
they kindle wars, sow strifes, set
agains tribeswith demoniac violence, burn
villages,
scenes kidnapand carry off,from time to
and in the midst of these diabolical
latedby the principles which Christand his
apostles have laiddown for the government
of those who assume the relationof masters.
The New Testament sums up these principles
in a single sentence : "Masters,give unto
-whathas been saidin the lastchapter,
your servants that which is just and equal."
But,forasmuch as there is alway some
the Christian church "f America by no confusion of mind in regardto what isjust
means occupies that position, with regard to and equalin our neighbor's affairs, our Lord
slavery, that the apostles did,or that the has given this direction, by which we may
church of the earlier ages did.
arrive at infalliblecertainty. "All things
However theymay choose to interpret the whatsoever ye would that men should do to
language of the apostles, the fact still remains
you, do ye
even so to them."
undeniable, that the church organization
It is,therefore, evident thatif Christian
which grew up immediately after these legislators are about to form a Christian system
instructions did intend and did effect the of servitude, theymust base it on these
two laws,one of which is a particular specification
under
the other.
Let us now examine some of the particulars
of the code which they have formed,and
is"just
This being the fundamental principle
the system țhe following are specified as
consequences :
1. That he shall have no righ to hold
property of any kind, under any circumstances.
and equal !
2. That he shall have no
power
to contract
" in any "ourt where any white person
time,hundreds and thousands of miserable isconcerned." Just and equal!
captives. Such of thoseas do not die of terror,
That the owner of a servant, for " malicious,
grief,suffocation, ship-fever, and other cruel, and excessivebeating slave,
horrors, are, from time to time,landed on cannot be indicted. and equal !
the shores of America. Here
theyare. It is further decided, that by no indirect
And now a set of Christianlegislators meet mode of suit,through guardian,
a shall a
together
construct a system and laws of slave obtain redressfor ill-treatment. (Dorothea
servitude, with regardto these unfortunates, v. Coquillon et al,9 Martin La. Rep.
which ishereafterto be considered as a Christian
850.)" Just and equal !
institution.
5. It is decided that the slave shall not
Of course, in order to have any validtitleonly no legalredress for injuries to such a
name, the institutionmust be regu- by hi3 master, but shallhave no
16
a
legalmarriage, or claim any woman
for his wife." Just and equal!
in particular
3. That he shall have no righ to his
children, eitherto protect,restrain, guide or
educate." Just and equal !
4. That the power of his master over
him shall be absolute, without any possibility
abolishedit. Some centuries of appeal or redress in consequence of
from Christian nations,
any injury whatever.
To secure this, theyenact thathe shallnot
tribesbe able to enter suit in any court for any
cause.
"
and equal !
That he shallnot be allowed to bear testimony