Political Quotes

On the record
And yet, infinitely flagrant as the anomaly is, the slave is amenable to the laws of the land for all offences which he may commit against others, though he is powerless to protect himself by the same law from offences which others may commit against him.
Said by
Horace Mann
Free Soil · Massachusetts

Editor's note · Context

This statement highlights the paradox of slave law, where slaves are punished for crimes but cannot defend themselves against others' crimes.

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Her black children have sucked her so dry, that now, for a long time past, she has not milk enough for her offspring, either black or white.

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This is the reciprocity of slave law.--to be forever liable to be proved guilty, but never able to prove himself innocent; to be subject to all punishments, but, through his own oath, to no protection.

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Her lowland neighbors of Maryland and the Carolinas were not far behind at the seeding; nor are they far behind at the ingathering of desolation.

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The institution of slavery is against natural right.

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