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43 These are his congenial companions. To wear these to use them becomes a passion, almost a necessity. Nothing contributes to violence so much as the wearing of the instruments of violence, thus having them always at hand to obey the lawless instincts of the individual. barbarous standworld.

is

his pride



A

ard liar

is

established



a duel

is

to our Slave-masters,

shameful



not dishonorable

known

a contest pecu-



as a "street-fight," is not

and modern imitators of Cain have a mark

set

upon

them, not for reproach and condemnation, but for compliment and approval. I wish to keep within bounds but unanswerable facts, accmulating in fearful quantities, attest that the social

much vaunted by honorable Senators, and which we now asked to sanction and to extend, takes its character

system, so are

from this spirit, and with professions of Christianity on the lips, becomes Cain-like. And this is aggravated by the prevailing ignorance in the Slave States, where one in twelve of the adult white population is unable to read and write. The boldest they who least partake the light, As game-cocks in the dark are trained to fight.

Of course

there are exceptions, which

we

all

gladly recognize,

which predominates and gives the social law. And here mark an important difference. Elsewhere violence shows itself in spite of law, whether social or statute in the Slave States it is because of law both social and statute. Elsewhere it is pursued and condemned in the Slave States it is adopted and honored. Elsewhere it is hunted as a crime in but

it is

this spirit







the Slave States

it

takes

its

place

among

the honorable graces

of society. Let not these harsh statements stand on my authority. Listen to the testimony of two Governors of Slave States in their messages to the Legislatures

"We long to

see the day," said the Governor of Kentucky in 1S37, " when the assert its majesty, and stop the wanton destruction of life which almost Men slaughter each daily occurs within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth. species of common law has grown up in other with almost perfect impunity. Kentucky, which, were it written down, would, in all civilized countries, cause it to

law

will

A

be rechristened, in derision, the land of blood."

Such was the

official

confession of a Slave-master Governor

of Kentucky. And here is the official confession same year by the Slave-master Governor of Alabama " We hear of homicides

in different parts of the State continually,

made

the

and yet have