After breaking down government in those commercial centers, we could have refused to set up anything in its stead, and simply washed our hands of the whole business; but to do that would have been to show ourselves more insensible to moral obligations than if we had restored them outright to Spain.
Reid contemplates the moral implications of abandoning governance in newly acquired territories after conflict.
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Give them order and justice, and trust to these to win them in other regards to our ways.
Brushing aside, then, these bugbears, gentlemen, what are the obvious duties of the hour?
The question about the slaves being self-supporting, is a question no longer.
You see, General, this is alarming, and you must acknowledge that we are not safe.