O. At what battle was he wounded?
M. I never knew the place, but it seems to me more like Waterloo than any other name.
During this investigation, my mind was impressed to work a reform. I saw the injustice of oppression in all its naked deformity. The lords of the soil had monopolized all that could afford subsistence by cultivation, and then demanded the service of the landless at their own apprisal. “What better is this,” said I to William, “than chattels in slavery?”
W. Thou wilt see a difference. A voluntary servitude is willing bondage, but involuntary service is unwilling subjection to the will of a master. A willing service is the result of conditions; but an unwilling bondage is the result of cruelty. It is oppression without acquiescence, or reward for labor, by contract.
Not receiving a clear solution of my inquiry, I asked, “What is the difference between voluntary and involuntary slavery.”
W. Voluntary slavery is to do what is required by a contract. The doer voluntarily assents on condition of receiving a stipulated compensation. Involuntary slavery is to do what the mind would not do unless coerced by compulsory measures. It does not contract to do any thing, but is forced to do what the master requires.
T. But do not the circumstances of the poor in Europe, coerce them to contract for service, which other conditions would not approve?
W. Thou wilt remember, Thomas, that other conditions coerce the master to hire and pay them for their services. The compulsion is, therefore, mutual, and whatever is mutual is equitable. But when a mind is compelled to do service without the assent of the doer, there is no mutual necessity, nor equity in the arrangement.
T. There is no necessity, I trust, then, which would justify the misery that results from the oppression of the poor, in neglecting the means essential for their comfort.
W. Thou hast well judged. Had avarice the wisdom of truth to control its treasures, the folly of oppression would find no habitation among men. But what thou seest is generosity, when compared with the injustice thou wilt behold in thy pilgrimage.