DEFINITION OF SLAVERY.

If we would know whether the Bible sanctions slavery, we must determine what slavery is.  An element, is one thing; a relation, another; an appendage, another.  Relations and appendages presuppose other things to which they belong.  To regard them as the things themselves, or as constituent parts of them, leads to endless fallacies.  Mere political disabilities are often confounded with slavery; so are many relations, and tenures, indispensible to the social state.  We will specify some of these.

1.  PRIVATION OF SUFFRAGE.  Then minors are slaves.

2.  INELIGIBILITY TO OFFICE.  Then females are slaves.

3.  TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.  Then slaveholders in the District of Columbia are slaves.

4.  PRIVATION OF ONE’S OATH IN LAW.  Then atheists are slaves.

5.  PRIVATION OF TRIAL BY JURY.  Then all in France are slaves.

6.  BEING REQUIRED TO SUPPORT A PARTICULAR RELIGION.  Then the people of England are slaves.

7.  APPRENTICESHIP.  The rights and duties of master and apprentice are correlative.  The claim of each upon the other results from his obligation to the other.  Apprenticeship is based on the principle of equivalent for value received.  The rights of the apprentice are secured, equally with those of the master.  Indeed while the law is just to the former it is benevolent to the latter; its main design being rather to benefit the apprentice than the master.  To the master it secures a mere compensation—­to the apprentice, both a compensation and a virtual gratuity in addition, he being of the two the greatest gainer.  The law not only recognizes the right of the apprentice to a reward for his labor, but appoints the wages, and enforces the payment.  The master’s claim covers only the services of the apprentice.  The apprentice’s claim covers equally the services of the master.  Neither can hold the other as property; but each holds property in the services of the other, and BOTH EQUALLY.  Is this slavery?

8.  FILIAL SUBORDINATION AND PARENTAL CLAIMS. Both are nature’s dictates, and intrinsic elements of the social state; the natural affections which blend parent and child in one, excite each to discharge those offices incidental to the relation, and are a shield for mutual protection.  The parent’s legal claim to the child’s services, is a slight return for the care and toil of his rearing, exclusively of outlays for support and education.  This provision is, with the mass of mankind, indispensable to the preservation of the family state.  The child, in helping his parents, helps himself—­increases a common stock, in which he has a share; while his most faithful services do but acknowledge a debt that money cannot cancel.

9.  CLAIMS OF GOVERNMENT ON SUBJECTS.  Governments owe their subjects protection; subjects owe just governments allegiance and support.  The obligations of both are reciprocal, and the benefits received by both are mutual, equal, and voluntarily rendered.