He did not doubt but
fifty-six might be found, by which parliament had sanctioned witchcraft; of
the existence of which we had now no belief whatever.
It had been said by Mr. Stanley, that the pulpit had been used as an
instrument of attack on the Slave-trade. He was happy to learn it had been
so well employed; and he hoped the Bishops would rise up in the House of
Lords, with the virtuous indignation which became them, to abolish a
traffic so contrary to humanity, justice, and religion.
He entreated every member to recollect, that on his vote that night
depended the happiness of millions; and that it was then in his power to
promote a measure, of which the benefits would be felt over one whole
quarter of the globe; that the seeds of civilization might, by the present
bill, be sown all over Africa; and the first principles of humanity be
established in regions, where they had hitherto been excluded by the
existence of this execrable trade.
Lord Carysfort rose, and said, that the great cause of the abolition had
flourished by the manner in which it had been opposed. No one argument of
solid weight has been adduced against it. It had been shown, but never
disproved, that the colonial laws were inadequate to the protection of the
slaves; that the punishments of the latter were most unmerciful; that they
were deprived of the right of self-defence against any White man; and, in
short, that the system was totally repugnant to the principles of the
British constitution.
Pages:
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274