On the record
I charge them as direct, positive aggressions, on the rights of the free people of the North.
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gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
Tompkins asserts that slavery directly infringes upon the rights of Northern citizens.
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More from Cydnor Tompkins
I never mean, unless some particular circumstance should compel me, to possess another slave by purchase, it being my first wish to see some plan adopted by which slavery in this country may be abolished by law.
It was dangerous to liberty then; no man now apprehends any danger to liberty, unless from the same source.
I know it is claimed, by men in the slave States, that slavery is necessary to the highest development of human society; but I think the experience of members of Congress is, that slavery does not always produce this beneficial result.
There can be no other reason than the one given by George Mason eighty years ago: slavery produces a most pernicious effect upon manners.
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