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| Photo: Henry Highland Garnet, circa 1881. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution |
AN ADDRESS TO THE SLAVES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BY HENRY HIGHLAND GARNET.
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This Address, past times Henry Highland Garnet, was made earlier the National Convention of Colored Citizens on August 16, 1843 inwards Buffalo, New York
Brethren as well as Fellow-Citizens: Your brethren of the North, East, as well as West take hold been accustomed to come across together inwards National Conventions, to understand with each other, as well as to shout over your unhappy condition. In these meetings nosotros take hold addressed all classes of the free, but nosotros take hold never, until this time, sent a give-and-take of consolation as well as advice to you. We take hold been contented inwards sitting nevertheless as well as mourning over your sorrows, earnestly hoping that earlier this twenty-four hr catamenia your sacred liberties would take hold been restored. But, nosotros take hold hoped inwards vain. Years take hold rolled on, as well as tens of thousands take hold been borne on streams of blood as well as tears, to the shores of eternity. While you lot take hold been oppressed, nosotros take hold also been partakers with you; nor tin can nosotros live costless patch you lot are enslaved. We, therefore, write to you lot equally beingness boundary with you.
Many of you lot are boundary to us, non only past times the ties of a mutual humanity, but nosotros are connected past times the to a greater extent than tender relations of parents, wives, husbands, children, brothers, as well as sisters, as well as friends. As such nosotros most affectionately address you.
Slavery has fixed a deep gulf betwixt you lot as well as us, as well as patch it shuts out from you lot the relief as well as consolation which your friends would willingly render, it afflicts as well as persecutes you lot with a fierce- ness which nosotros powerfulness non await to catch inwards the fiends of hell. But nevertheless the Almighty Father of mercies has left to us a glimmering ray of hope, which shines out similar a solitary star inwards a cloudy sky. Mankind are becoming wiser, as well as better—the oppressor’s ability is fading, as well as you, every day, are becoming ameliorate informed, as well as to a greater extent than numerous. Your grievances, brethren, are many. We shall non attempt, inwards this curt address, to introduce to the world all the dark catalogue of this nation’s sins, which take hold been committed upon an innocent people. Nor is it indeed necessary, for you lot experience them from twenty-four hr catamenia to day, as well as all the civilized world expression upon them with amazement.
Two hundred as well as twenty-seven years ago, the firstly of our injured race were brought to the shores of America. They came non with glad spirits to select their homes inwards the New World. They came non with their ain consent, to uncovering an unmolested enjoyment of the blessings of this fruitful soil. The firstly dealings they had with men calling themselves Christians, exhibited to them the worst features of corrupt, as well as sordid hearts: as well as convinced them that no cruelty is also great, no villainy as well as no robbery also abhorrent for fifty-fifty enlightened men to perform, when influenced past times avarice as well as lust. Neither did they come upwards flight upon the wings of Liberty, to a dry soil of freedom. But they came with broken hearts, from their dear native land, as well as were doomed to unrequited toil as well as deep degradation. Nor did the evil of their bondage terminate at their emancipation past times death. Succeeding generations inherited their chains, as well as millions take hold come upwards from eternity into time, as well as take hold returned in i trial to a greater extent than to the world of spirits, cursed as well as ruined past times American slavery.
The propagators of the system, or their immediate ancestors, really presently discovered its growing evil, as well as its tremendous wickedness, as well as cloak-and-dagger promises were made to destroy it. The gross inconsistency of a people belongings slaves, who had themselves “ferried o’er the wave” for freedom’s sake, was also apparent to live alone over-looked. The vocalisation of Freedom cried, “Emancipate your slaves.” Humanity supplicated with tears for the deliverance of the children of Africa. Wisdom urged her solemn plea. The haemorrhage captive pleaded his innocence, as well as pointed to Christianity who stood weeping at the cross. Jehovah frowned upon the nefarious institution, as well as thunderbolts, cherry-red with vengeance, struggled to fountain forth to nail the guilty wretches who maintained it. But all was vain. Slavery had stretched its dark wings of expiry over the land, the Church stood silently by—the priests prophesied falsely, as well as the people loved to take hold it so. Its throne is established, as well as at nowadays it reigns triumphant.
Nearly 3 millions of your fellow-citizens are prohibited past times police delineate as well as world persuasion (which inwards this province is stronger than law) from reading the Book of Life. Your intellect has been destroyed equally much equally possible, as well as every ray of lite they take hold attempted to closed out from your minds. The oppressors themselves take hold larn involved inwards the ruin. They take hold larn weak, sensual, as well as rapacious—they take hold cursed you—they take hold cursed themselves—they take hold cursed the world which they take hold trod.
The colonies threw the blame upon England. They said that the woman raise province entailed the evil upon them, as well as that they would rid themselves of it if they could. The world idea they were sincere, as well as the philanthropic pitied them. But fourth dimension presently tested their sincerity. In a few years the colonists grew strong, as well as severed themselves from the British Government. Their independence was declared, as well as they took their station with the sovereign powers of the earth. The annunciation was a glorious document. Sages admired it, as well as the patriotic of every state reverenced the God-like sentiments which it contained. When the ability of Government returned to their hands, did they emancipate the slaves? No; they rather added novel links to our chains. Were they ignorant of the principles of Liberty? Certainly they were not. The sentiments of their revolutionary orators fell inwards burning eloquence upon their hearts, as well as with i vocalisation they cried, Liberty or death. Oh what a judgement was that! It ran from soul to soul similar electrical fire, as well as nerved the arm of thousands to struggle inwards the holy crusade of Freedom. Among the multifariousness of opinions that are entertained inwards regard to physical resistance, in that location are but a few found to gainsay that stern declaration. We are with those who exercise not.
Slavery! How much misery is comprehended inwards that unmarried word. What hear is in that location that does non shrink from its direful effects? Unless the icon of God live obliterated from the soul, all men cherish the love of Liberty. The squeamish discerning political economist does non regard the sacred correct to a greater extent than than the untutored African who roams inwards the wilds of Congo. Nor has the i to a greater extent than correct to the sum enjoyment of his liberty than the other. In every man’s hear the proficient seeds of liberty are planted, as well as he who brings his swain downwardly so low, equally to brand him contented with a status of slavery, commits the highest criminal offense against God as well as man. Brethren, your oppressors aim to exercise this. They endeavor to brand you lot equally much similar brutes equally possible. When they take hold blinded the eyes of your hear when they take hold embittered the sugariness waters of life—when they take hold closed out the lite which shines from the give-and-take of God—then, as well as non till then, has American slavery done its perfect work.
To such degradation it is sinful inwards the Extreme for you lot to brand voluntary submission. The divine commandments you lot are inwards duty boundary to reverence as well as obey. If you lot exercise non obey them, you lot volition for sure come across with the displeasure of the Almighty. He requires you lot to love him supremely, as well as your vecino equally yourself—to move on the Sabbath twenty-four hr catamenia holy—to search the Scriptures—and take upwards your children with honor for his laws, as well as to worship no other God but him. But slavery sets all these at nought, as well as hurls defiance inwards the human face upwards of Jehovah. The forlorn status inwards which you lot are placed, does non destroy your moral obligation to God. You are non sure of heaven, because you lot endure yourselves to stay inwards a province of slavery, where you lot cannot obey the commandments of the Sovereign of the universe. If the ignorance of slavery is a passport to heaven, as well as so it is a blessing, as well as no curse, as well as you lot should rather wishing its perpetuity than its abolition. God volition non have slavery, nor ignorance, nor whatever other province of mind, for love as well as obedience to him. Your status does non absolve you lot from your moral obligation. The diabolical injustice past times which your liberties are cloven down, neither God; nor angels, or merely men, ascendancy you lot to endure for a unmarried moment. Therefore it is your solemn as well as imperative duty to utilisation every means, both moral; intellectual as well as physical that promises success. If a band of infidel men should elbow grease to enslave a race of Christians, as well as to identify their children nether the influence of some faux religion, surely, Heaven would frown upon the men who would non resist such aggression, fifty-fifty to death. If, on the other hand, a band of Christians should elbow grease to enslave a race of infidel men, as well as to entail slavery upon them, as well as to move on them inwards heathenism inwards the midst of Christianity, the God of sky would grin upon every elbow grease which the injured powerfulness brand to dis-enthrall themselves.
Brethren, it is equally incorrect for your lordly oppressors to move on you lot inwards slavery, equally it was for the human thief to pocket our ancestors from the coast of Africa. You should hence at nowadays utilisation the same way of resistance, equally would take hold been merely inwards our ancestors, when the bloody footprints of the firstly remorseless soul-thief was placed upon the shores of our fatherland. The humblest peasant is equally costless inwards the sight of God equally the proudest monarch that always swayed a sceptre. Liberty is a spirit sent out from God, as well as similar its groovy Author, is no respecter of persons.
Brethren, the fourth dimension has come upwards when you lot must human activity for yourselves. It is an onetime as well as truthful proverb that, “if hereditary bondmen would live free, they must themselves strike the blow.” You tin can plead your ain cause, as well as exercise the function of emancipation ameliorate than whatever others. The nations of the onetime world are moving inwards the groovy crusade of universal freedom, as well as some of them at to the lowest degree will, ere long, exercise you lot justice. The combined powers of Europe take hold placed their wide seal of disapprobation upon the African slave-trade. But inwards the slave-holding parts of the United States, the merchandise is equally brisk equally ever. They purchase as well as sell you lot equally though you lot were brute beasts. The North has done much—her persuasion of slavery inwards the abstract is known. But inwards regard to the South, nosotros adopt the persuasion of the New York Evangelist —“We take hold advanced so far, that the crusade obviously waits for a to a greater extent than effectual door to live thrown opened upwards than has been yet.” We are most to betoken you lot to that to a greater extent than effectual door. Look closed to you, as well as behold the bosoms of your loving wives heaving with untold agonies! Hear the cries of your pitiable children! Remember the stripes your fathers bore. Think of the torture as well as disgrace of your noble mothers. Think of your wretched sisters, loving virtue as well as purity, equally they are driven into concubinage as well as are exposed to the unbridled lusts of incarnate devils. Think of the undying glory that hangs closed to the ancient advert of Africa—and forget non that you lot are native-born American citizens, as well as equally such, you lot are justly entitled to all the rights that are granted to the freest. Think how many tears you lot take hold poured out. upon the soil which you lot take hold cultivated with unrequited toil as well as enriched with your blood; as well as and so move to your lordly enslavers as well as tell them plainly, that you lot are determined to live free. Appeal to their sense of justice, as well as tell them that they take hold no to a greater extent than correct to oppress you, than you lot take hold to enslave them. Entreat them to take the grievous burdens which they take hold imposed upon you, as well as to remunerate you lot for your labor. Promise them renewed diligence inwards the tillage of the soil, if they volition homecoming to you lot an equivalent for your services. Point them to the increase of happiness as well as prosperity inwards the British West Indies since the Act of Emancipation.
Tell them inwards linguistic communication which they cannot misunderstand, of the exceeding sinfulness of slavery, as well as of a futurity judgment, as well as of the righteous retributions of an indignant God. Inform them that all you lot wishing is freedom, as well as that zero else volition suffice. Do this, as well as for always afterwards cease to toil for the heartless tyrants, who give you lot no other vantage but stripes as well as abuse. If they as well as so commence the function of death, they, as well as non you, volition live responsible for the consequences. You had far ameliorate all die—die immediately, than alive slaves, as well as entail your wretchedness upon your posterity. If you lot would live costless inwards this generation, hither is your only hope. However much you lot as well as all of us may wishing it, in that location is non much hope of redemption without the shedding of blood. If you lot must bleed, allow it all come upwards at once—rather die freemen, than alive to live the slaves. It is impossible, similar the children of Israel, to brand a grand exodus from the dry soil of bondage. The Pharaohs are on both sides of the blood-red waters! You cannot displace en masse, to the dominions of the British Queen—nor tin can you lot hand through Florida as well as overrun Texas, as well as at lastly uncovering peace inwards Mexico. The propagators of American slavery are spending their blood as well as treasure, that they may flora the dark flag inwards the pump of United Mexican States as well as riot inwards the halls of the Montezumas. In the linguistic communication of the Rev. Robert Hall, when addressing the volunteers of Bristol, who were rushing forth to repel the invasion of Napoleon, who threatened to lay waste product the fair homes of England, “Religion is also much interested inwards your behalf, non to shed over you lot her most gracious influences.”
You volition non live compelled to pass much fourth dimension inwards gild to larn inured to hardships. From the firstly minute that you lot breathed the air of heaven, you lot take hold been accustomed to zero else but hardships. The heroes of the American Revolution were never position upon harder fare than a peck of corn as well as a few herrings per week. You take hold non larn enervated past times the luxuries of life. Your sternest energies take hold been beaten out upon. the anvil of severe trial, Slavery has done this, to brand you lot subservient to its ain purposes; but it has done to a greater extent than than this, it has prepared you lot for whatever emergency. If you lot have proficient treatment, it is what you lot could hardly expect; if you lot come across with pain, sorrow, as well as fifty-fifty death, these are the mutual lot of the slaves. Fellow-men! patient sufferers! behold your dearest rights crushed to the earth! See your sons murdered, as well as your wives, mothers as well as sisters doomed to prostitution. In the advert of the merciful God, as well as past times all that life is worth, allow it no longer live a debatable question, whether it is ameliorate to select Liberty or death. In 1822, Kingdom of Denmark Vesey, of South Carolina, formed a excogitation for the liberation of his fellow-men. In the whole history of human efforts to overthrow slavery, a to a greater extent than complicated as well as tremendous excogitation was never formed. He was betrayed past times the treachery of his ain people, as well as died a martyr to freedom. Many a brave hero fell, but history, faithful to her high trust, volition transcribe his advert on the same monument with Moses, Hampden, Tell, Bruce as well as Wallace, Toussaint L’Ouverture, Lafayette as well as Washington. That tremendous motility shook the whole empire of slavery. The guilty soul-thieves were overwhelmed with fear. It is a thing of fact, that at that time, as well as inwards effect of the threatened revolution, the slave States talked strongly of emancipation. But they blew but i nail of the trumpet of freedom, as well as and so set it aside. As these men became quiet, the slaveholders ceased to utter most emancipation: as well as at nowadays behold your status today! Angels sigh over it, as well as humanity has long since exhausted her tears inwards weeping on your account! The patriotic Nathaniel Turner followed Kingdom of Denmark Vesey. He was goaded to desperation past times incorrect as well as injustice. By despotism, his advert has been recorded on the listing of infamy; as well as futurity generations volition recollect him with the noble as well as brave. Next arose the immortal Joseph Cinque, the hero of the Amistad. He was a native African, as well as past times the assist of God he emancipated a whole ship-load of his fellow-men on the high seas. And he at nowadays sings of liberty on the sunny hills of Africa as well as beneath his native palm-trees, where he hears the Panthera leo roar as well as feels himself equally costless equally that virile someone monarch of the forest.
Next arose Madison Washington, that brilliant star of freedom, as well as took his station inwards the constellation of truthful heroism. He was a slave on board the brig Creole, of Richmond, boundary to New Orleans, that groovy slave mart, with a hundred as well as iv others. Nineteen struck for liberty or death. But i life was taken, as well as the whole were emancipated, as well as the vessel was carried into Nassau, New Providence. Noble men! Those who take hold fallen inwards freedom’s conflict, their memories volition live cherished past times the true-hearted as well as the God-fearing inwards all futurity generations; those who are living, their names are surrounded past times a halo of glory. Brethren, arise, arise! Strike for your lives as well as liberties. Now is the twenty-four hr catamenia as well as the hour. Let every slave throughout the dry soil exercise this, as well as the days of slavery are numbered. You cannot live to a greater extent than oppressed than you lot take hold been—you cannot endure greater cruelties than you lot take hold already. Rather choke freemen than alive to live slaves. Remember that you lot are iv millions! It is inwards your ability so to torment the God-cursed slaveholders, that they volition live glad to allow you lot move free. If the scale was turned, as well as dark men were the masters as well as white men the slaves, every destructive agent as well as chemical factor would live employed to lay the oppressor low. Danger as well as expiry would hang over their heads twenty-four hr catamenia as well as night. Yes, the tyrants would come across with plagues to a greater extent than terrible than those of Pharaoh. But you lot are a patient people. You human activity equally though you lot were made for the exceptional utilisation of these devils. You human activity equally though your daughters were born to pamper the lusts of your masters as well as overseers. And worse than all, you lot tamely submit patch your lords tear your wives from your embraces as well as defile them earlier your eyes. In the advert of God, nosotros ask, are you lot men? Where is the blood of your fathers? Has it all run out of your veins? Awake, awake, millions of voices are calling you! Your dead fathers speak to you lot from their graves. Heaven, equally with a vocalisation of thunder, calls on you lot to arise from the dust. Let your motto live resistance! resistance! resistance! No oppressed people take hold always secured their liberty without resistance. What form of resistance you lot had ameliorate make, you lot must create upwards one's hear past times the circumstances that surroundings you, as well as according to the proffer of expediency. Brethren, adieu! Trust inwards the living God. Labor for the peace of the human race, as well as recollect that you lot are iv millions.
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Published inwards Henry Highland Garnet, Walker’s Appeal, with a Brief Sketch of His Life. See also Garnet’s Address to the Slaves of the US of America. New-York, Printed past times J. H. Tobitt, 1848, pages 89–97.
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