A Review of Uncle Tom's Cabin - or, An Essay on Slavery by A. Woodward
page 36 of 183 (19%)
page 36 of 183 (19%)
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to affect to be either one or the other, or both. Plain, simple,
old-fashioned _Bible Christianity_ is not sufficient for them. It is too quiet--too lowly and unassuming for them. They would have us believe, that they are brim full of humanity and benevolence--so full, that they are constantly running over--surcharged with a superabundance of kind, generous and sympathetic feeling for their fellow creatures. They must, at least, make the world around them believe that they are such. This is their object--this their aim. To accomplish this, everything is brought into requisition--all their energies, all their efforts are directed to this end. They wish to deceive the world, and make the impression on the mind of mankind, that they are a superior order of beings--better Christians--better philanthropists--have more humanity--more benevolence, and a greater regard for the rights of man, than mankind in general. I say their object is to make the world believe all this. Nothing is found to answer their purpose so well, in the accomplishment of this object, as African slavery in the Southern States. They have talked about negro slavery--negro oppression, and the negroe's woes, until they have really induced some to believe that they are persons of more than ordinary benevolence--that they are really humane, generous and just. But it is mere affectation--it is all hypocrisy. Facts prove it. England boasts of her philanthropy--talks about American oppression, and at the same time makes no effort to elevate her own miserable tenantry, whose conditions are far worse than American slaves. If she is really philanthropic, why refuse to do any thing for her own suffering poor throughout her vast dominions? This is proof positive, that John Bull is an old villain; a rotten, two-faced, bigoted, meddlesome old hypocrite. If abolitionists in the United States are really philanthropic, why have they not made some effort to relieve the suffering poor in their own midst; whose conditions in general, |
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