Revolutions never go backward.

The two systems slave and free-labor are incompatible. They have never permanently existed together in one country, and they never can.

But you answer, that the Constitution recognizes property in slaves. It would be sufficient, then, to reply, that this constitutional recognition must be void, because it is repugnant to the law of nature and of nations.

Sir, there is no Christian nation, thus free to choose as we are, which would establish slavery.

But assuming the same premises, to wit, that all men are equal by the law of nature and of nations, the right of property in slaves falls to the ground; for one who is equal to another cannot be the owner or property of that other.

The United States are a political state, or organized society, whose end is government, for the security, welfare, and happiness of all who live under its protection.

The right to have a slave implies the right in some one to make the slave; that right must be equal and mutual, and this would resolve society into a state of perpetual war.