Texas, its claims to be recognised as an independent power by Great Britain : examined in a series of letters Page: 34 of 58
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32
earnestly wish that talents, such as theirs, were devoted to the
support of a better cause! Whatever be their motires for
the course they have judged it convenient to pursue, the one
claims to be considered a philosopher, and the other a patriot, and
to argue the question in view of the character each has assumed.
The philosophy, however, which would teach me that slavery is the
parent of civilization-that, in every country, where land is naturally
cheap, as in Texas, the labouring class, whether wllite or
l,lack, must and will be held and used as slaves, until land becomes
dear, and that, however "shocking to our sensibility," compulsion
to labour fiom " the fear of the lash" is really not worse than
that which arises from " the fear of hunger," is too sublime for
my comprehension; and the patriotism which would enrich the
merchant princes of this country at the expense of the freedom and
happiness of millions of mankind, is too exalted for my imitation !
I say, if the fertile lands of Texas cannot be cultivated except
under the infliction of the lasll-if its magnificent forests and
boundless prairies cannot be reclaimed but by the tears, and blood,
and toil of slaves,-let them remain in all their solitary grandeur,
a pasturage and a shelter for the buffalo and the deer. And I
further say, if the savage tribes of mankind cannot be civilized,
but by'their degradation into the condition of " chattels personal" of
their fellow-men, let them remain untouched by its withering influence,
and undestroyed by its murderous effects. But it were
impiety to suppose that the most beautiful and fertile portions of
the earth were created for tyrants and slaves; and that the benign
influence of education and religion were not able to elevate the
most abject of our race to the same height of refinement witll ourselves.
In one point I most cordially agree with our philosopher and
patriot, namely, in stigmatizing slavery as a " crime :" they botll
deplore its existence, as the great " blot" on the fair fame of Texas.
Enough of humanity, of English feeling, and the love of liberty
remains in them to do this; but I have yet to learn how the philosopher
can reconcile this opinion, with his justification of Texas for
refusing to bring herself "into the condition," of what he terms,
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Scoble, John. Texas, its claims to be recognised as an independent power by Great Britain : examined in a series of letters, book, 1839; London. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth6108/m1/34/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .