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The Ruffin Papeks. 331
doing so. Furthermore, there are numerous facts to prove a clear
opinion to the contrary in every class of our population. When did any
man, for example, leave North Carolina in order to get clear of his
slaves or of slavery? We have, indeed, a respectable and peaceful re-ligious
society—less numerous than formerly—who are forbidden by an
article in their creed from holding men in slavery. Even they never
warred or contended against this institution here, nor sought to seduce
or spirit away their neighbor's slaves; but like the quiet and Christian
men they professed to be, they left us and immigrated chiefly to the
States of the North-West, in which slavery did not exist. With that
slight exception, the public sentiment is so generally satisfied with the
existence of slavery and its propriety here, that it may properly be
called universal. Some men have emancipated some or all of their
slaves by sending them to other States. But I know not of an instance
in which the former owner went with them, or left North Carolina
because other owners would not follow their example. On the contrary,
when our slaveholders remove, they carry their slaves with them further
south where slavery is, if possible, more firmly fixed than here, because
they expect the labor of the slaves to be more productive. Besides,
there are many inhabitants of this State who do not hold slaves, some
from choice and some from inability to purchase them, and nevertheless,
they are content to abide among us and our slaves. And it is also true,
that even when those men migrate, much the larger part of them likewise
go to the south of us in the thick of slavery, because they hope to make
a greater profit from their own exertions. These facts, which cannot
be denied, will bear reflection, and furnish evidence sufficient to satisfy
any fair mind that there is an unanimous conviction of our people that
slavery as it exists here, is neither unprofitable, nor impolitic, nor un-wholesome.
For certainly, though slaveholders, we may claim to possess
as clear understandings, and as clear consciences as generally fall to
the lot of other men.
It would indeed, be otherwise, if it were true, as supposed or set forth
by some, that slavery degrades free labor, and consequently, that our
population are too proud or too lazy to work, and become, especially
slave-owners, dissolute and profligate in morals, as well as atrocious
tyrants. But that is not true—not at all true; and there never was
a greater mistake than to suppose it true. It cannot but excite a smile
in us, who know the contrary so well, when we are told that white men
do not work here, and that they do not because it is considered dis-graceful.
Why, there is not a country on earth in which honest labor
and diligence in business in all classes and conditions, is considered more
respectable, or more respected. We, like every other people, have the
idle and the vicious amongst us. But they are chiefly those who have
the least connexion with slaves, and particularly those employed in
agriculture, and are to be found, without means, lounging about cities
and villages. Many most independent farmers, who own slaves, but
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| Title | Page 337 |
| Full Text | The Ruffin Papeks. 331 doing so. Furthermore, there are numerous facts to prove a clear opinion to the contrary in every class of our population. When did any man, for example, leave North Carolina in order to get clear of his slaves or of slavery? We have, indeed, a respectable and peaceful re-ligious society—less numerous than formerly—who are forbidden by an article in their creed from holding men in slavery. Even they never warred or contended against this institution here, nor sought to seduce or spirit away their neighbor's slaves; but like the quiet and Christian men they professed to be, they left us and immigrated chiefly to the States of the North-West, in which slavery did not exist. With that slight exception, the public sentiment is so generally satisfied with the existence of slavery and its propriety here, that it may properly be called universal. Some men have emancipated some or all of their slaves by sending them to other States. But I know not of an instance in which the former owner went with them, or left North Carolina because other owners would not follow their example. On the contrary, when our slaveholders remove, they carry their slaves with them further south where slavery is, if possible, more firmly fixed than here, because they expect the labor of the slaves to be more productive. Besides, there are many inhabitants of this State who do not hold slaves, some from choice and some from inability to purchase them, and nevertheless, they are content to abide among us and our slaves. And it is also true, that even when those men migrate, much the larger part of them likewise go to the south of us in the thick of slavery, because they hope to make a greater profit from their own exertions. These facts, which cannot be denied, will bear reflection, and furnish evidence sufficient to satisfy any fair mind that there is an unanimous conviction of our people that slavery as it exists here, is neither unprofitable, nor impolitic, nor un-wholesome. For certainly, though slaveholders, we may claim to possess as clear understandings, and as clear consciences as generally fall to the lot of other men. It would indeed, be otherwise, if it were true, as supposed or set forth by some, that slavery degrades free labor, and consequently, that our population are too proud or too lazy to work, and become, especially slave-owners, dissolute and profligate in morals, as well as atrocious tyrants. But that is not true—not at all true; and there never was a greater mistake than to suppose it true. It cannot but excite a smile in us, who know the contrary so well, when we are told that white men do not work here, and that they do not because it is considered dis-graceful. Why, there is not a country on earth in which honest labor and diligence in business in all classes and conditions, is considered more respectable, or more respected. We, like every other people, have the idle and the vicious amongst us. But they are chiefly those who have the least connexion with slaves, and particularly those employed in agriculture, and are to be found, without means, lounging about cities and villages. Many most independent farmers, who own slaves, but |
