Chapman, Bussy d’Ambois, Act IV. Sc. 1.
All men have the same rational nature and the same powers of conscience, and all are equally made for indefinite improvement of these divine faculties, and for the happiness to be found in their virtuous use. Who that comprehends these gifts does not see that the diversities of the race vanish before them?—Channing, Slavery: Works, Vol. II. p. 21.
The Christian philosopher sees in every man a partaker of his own nature and a brother of his own species.—Chalmers, Utility of Missions: Works, Vol. XI. p. 244.
LECTURE.
MR. PRESIDENT,—In asking you to consider the Question of Caste, I open a great subject of immediate practical interest. Happily, Slavery no longer exists to disturb the peace of our Republic; but it is not yet dead in other lands, while among us the impious pretension of this great wrong still survives against the African because he is black and against the Chinese because he is yellow. Here is nothing less than the claim of hereditary power from color; and it assumes that human beings cast in the same mould with ourselves, and in all respects men, with the same title of manhood that we have, may be shut out from Equal Rights on account of the skin. Such is the pretension, plainly stated.