p. 175 | The Slave by Jos. Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 2, 1875

The Slave.

By Jos. Clarke

The slave has been an important element in history in spite of tyrants and capitalists; and no doubt he ever will be, from the fact that Jehovah is a particular friend to the oppressed and the downtrodden.

Egypt was threatened with ruin in consequence of her persistence and obstinacy, in holding on to her bondmen when God proclaimed their freedom. The oppressed do not call on God in vain; the sympathies of God and angels are always on their side; and when they pray for redress, it is granted them. The principle of justice is a favorite one in the divine character, and God calls for an acknowledgment of it in nations and individuals; and fearful woes are in store for the oppressor, whether a person or a nation.

The late rebellion in the South was caused by the natural antipathy that is felt by the oppressor against those who sympathize with the oppressed. The overbearing scorn of the South for the laboring classes of the North who would not stoop to grant all her demands, but would occasionally assist the poor fugitive in his flight to a free clime, finally resulted in the attack on Fort Sumpter. The outcome of that war is in all hearts—the terrible conflict; the effort to keep slavery and the Union together; the failure of this mean truckling to the audacity of the South; the final proclamation of freedom, the victory, and the peace.

But has the peace been an honorable one? Has the nation been careful to guard itself? Has it kept its ground, or has it given back its victories to the legions of the oppressor? Have not equal representation, and equal rights been accorded to those who so lately, so ruthlessly, laid siege to our liberties and to our government? And was this a prudent move? Was it philanthropic or statesmanlike to accord at once to these rebels rights so precious, and clothe them so soon in robes of honor and authority?

But it is done; rebellion is already rampant with cries for pension and indemnity, which mean much. The North, sated, and disgusted with her leaders, too many of whom have fattened by public theft, shuts her eyes to the future, and, in her dread of conflict, gives place to anything which will pacify public opinion for the sake of peace.

We deprecate the sword with all its warlike accompaniments, but as lookers on, we ask, Is not the South daily gaining back her lost victories? Is not the conflict still going on quietly and surely? Is not the oppressor as active as ever, and is he not winning back his laurels?

The wrongs of the oppressed have not ceased. The slave has been so long a bondman that, as a general thing, he abuses his privileges, but terrible woe is reserved for those who for this would again place the chains upon the emancipated slave.

It is the old story over again of Pharaoh and his people. The services of so many slaves, the king could not forego. Compensation must be had for the great loss, even if the Red Sea shall thunder its negative.

We pity the slave. We pity his once rich master, now his foe. We hope each will do all he can for a prolongation of peace; but we see no signs of permanent prosperity while rebellion holds the reins of power.

Jos. Clarke.