Through all the gradations, from the person who has the preternatural whiteness of an Albino to one whom you can see in the darkest midnight, because he is so solid black,--all, all, under our constitution and laws, are alike freemen, or alike slaves.
Mann illustrates the absurdity of racial distinctions by comparing individuals of all skin tones under the law.
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Why, fellow-citizens, the ballot is worse than useless, if it be not FREE!
Men of Massachusetts! moral and religious men! lovers of freedom and of your country, were you prepared for this?
The man of independent circumstances has this liberty; and no man’s circumstances, not even the poorest and the humblest, should be so dependent as to take it away.
But such largesses to slavery as kings could not afford to give, and the robbery of an entire race of all its rights,--yes, and with authority, too, to make us help commit the robbery,--these are “factitious and imaginary” causes of…
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