They universally considered it as a reproach fastened upon them by the unnatural step-mother country; and they saw that, before the principles of the Declaration of Independence, slavery, in common with every other mode of oppression, was destined sooner or later to be banished from the earth.
Quincy conveys the perspective of Southern patriots who viewed slavery as a shame imposed by their colonial past.
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Adams replied: "I have no hesitation to say I hold that act unconstitutional and void.
They have transmitted that freedom to you; and upon you now devolves the duty of transmitting it unimpaired to your posterity.
The spirit of freedom and the spirit of slavery are drawing together for the deadly conflict of arms.
May the Ruler of the universe preserve you from such degradation! 'Freedom!
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