Peter Williams, Jr.: “Oration on the Abolition of the Slave Trade”

Essential Quotes

“[The Slave Trade’s] baneful footsteps are marked with blood; its infectious breath spreads war and desolation; and its train is composed of the complicated miseries, of cruel and unceasing bondage.”

“A spectacle so truly distressing, is sufficient to blow into a blaze, the most latent spark of humanity: but, the adamantine heart of avarice, dead to every sensation of pity, regards not the voice of the sufferers, but hastily drives them to market for sale.”

“[The African slaves’] lives, imbittered by reflection, anticipation, and present sorrows, they feel burthensome; and death, (whose dreary mansions appal the stoutest hearts) they view as their only shelter.”

“By [education], and similar methods, with divine assistance they assailed the dark dungeon of slavery; shattered its rugged wall, and enlarging thousands of the captives, bestowed on them the blessings of civil society.”

“Notwithstanding [our benefactors’] endeavours, they have yet remaining, from interest and prejudice, a number of opposers. These, carefully watching for every opportunity to injure the cause, will not fail to augment the smallest defects in our lives and conversation; and reproach our benefactors with them?. Let us, therefore, by a steady and upright deportment, by a strict obedience and respect to the laws of the land, form an invulnerable bulwark against the shafts of malice.”