Cydnor Tompkins

The spirit of the master is abating: that of the slave rising from the dust; his condition mollifying; the way, I hope, preparing, under the auspices of Heaven, for a total emancipation.

When the entire abolition of slavery takes place, it will be an event which must be most pleasing to every generous mind, and to every friend of human nature.

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.

We ought to lament and deplore the necessity of holding our fellow men in bondage.

I repeat again, that it would rejoice my very soul that every one of my fellow beings were emancipated.

Slavery is detested; we feel its fatal effects; we deplore it with all the pity of humanity.

Would to God a like spirit might diffuse itself generally into the people of this country!

I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of it.

It will not be conceived, from these observations, that it is my wish to hold these unhappy people (negroes) in slavery.

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.

Upon the decease of my wife, it is my desire that the slaves whom I hold in my own right should receive their freedom.

Liberty cannot be very secure where four million human beings are held in hopeless bondage--where human blood, bone, muscle, and, I might almost say, immortal souls, are articles of merchandise.

It is daily threatened by men who are interested in slavery.

It was dangerous to liberty then; no man now apprehends any danger to liberty, unless from the same source.

Their philanthropy was without regard to complexion; they abhorred slavery, as based on injustice and cruelty; and more, as dangerous to our liberties.

Have we not reason to suspect that too many of our countrymen have ceased to be virtuous?

Instead of supporting freedom, does it not advocate slavery and oppression?

Is not a great party now engaged in the ungrateful task of forging chains for a large portion of the people of this country?

Such was the sentiment of North Carolina in 1774, as to the evil and great wrong of slavery.

They would be scourged, driven by violence from the State, and might be considered fortunate should they escape with their lives.

Resolved, that the abolition of domestic slavery is the greatest object of desire in these colonies, where it was improperly introduced in their infant state.

It is our privilege, it is our duty, to repel those assaults, that the world may know that when the advanced guard of freedom is attacked, "our feet shall be always in the arena, and our shields shall hang always in the lists.

Depraved, corrupt, and polluted presses exerted themselves to the utmost in the work of slander and detraction; hireling scribblers for worse than hireling presses glutted themselves and made their meals on good men's names.

The columns of the Daily Globe teemed with fierce and fiery denunciations of all who would not bow to the behests of pro-slavery power.