R. S. to Frederick Douglass, October 16, 1851
"Our Brethren of the South."
Friend Douglass:—The above phrase, in a religious sense, and in reference to slave-holding church members, formerly appeared to me as an anomaly if not solocism in laguage. But since the late developments of Northern servility and the acquiescence of certain church dignitaries in the pro-slavery religion of the South, the phrase sounds and appears natural and appropriate. The churches of commerce of the North with their "Doctors of Divinity" and other leading officials, who oppose all attempts to reform the churches by condemning and eradicating slavery from their respective organizations, have given to the world ample proofs of a settled determination to cling to their "Southern brethren," and claim that slavery is not sinful, and that slaveholding brethren are as good christians as themselves. I have no doubt of it. I believe them. Truly, the man who approves and justifies man-stealing, robbery and oppression, is, in heart, no better than a thief, robber and oppressor. Hence it is very proper that they speak of those slave-mongers of every grade as "our Southern brethren," and good enough to preach in Northern pulpits and sit with them in communion at the sacramental board. Now I like these out-spoke demonstrations. Let them advertise the world of their settled position. Now, we know where to find them and fix a proper estimate of their character and labors as expositors of pro-slavery theology and commercial religion.
The Doctors of this spurious religion appear to be no less true and faithful to commercial politics. How prompt they have been to re-echo the [lower law] doctrine of the politicians that there is no higher authority in politcal matters than the constitution, and that the enactments of a pro-slavery Congress, though remiting to the moral sentiment of earth and heaven, are paramount to the mandates of Jehorah. Their sermons and speechs have been published and sent by thousands under the Frank of members of Congress all over the South and read and commended with high approbation by "our brethren of the South." The contest now waging, of the lower against the higher law is obviously the great question of the day, in church and the state, and involves the same principle as that between "the powers that be" under [Allah] and [illegible], and the higher law, as administered by the Prophet Elijah. Let us pray and hope that instead of a
tragical termination like that of the priest of Baal, a reformation may come by a peaceful triumph of truth and right and signalizes by more penitential tears than drops of blood.
If these doctors of the lower law find an alarming increase of infidelity in the land, they may trace it to its legitimate source—pro-slavery and lower law divinity. They may take to themselves the credit and responsibility of having represented christianity and its Author as unreliable, and as unworthy of the reverence and trust of mankind as the pagan deities of ancient Greece and Rome, and their lying oracles, that were full of mysteries, duplicity and deceit. They may write and preach and frame plausible arguments to prove that the bill gives authority for the damnable iniquities of American slavery. They thereby win the applause of men-thieves and unprincipled politicians, and be rewarded by the honors and emoluments of office as chaplains in Congress, in the army and navy, and [ ] salaries in the churches of commerce. But to the view of honest and manly lovers of truth and right, their labors amount to this: that either the bible is false and not of divine emanation, or that they are arrant knaves hypocrites and imposters. We need no Doctors of Divinity to teach us the plain and simple language of the Great Master of christianity on this subject, nor do we thank them for their attempts to raise a fog, and mutiny by their elaborate nonsense about complicated relations and inscrutable providences,—that slavery is God's ordinance for his own glory, "is marvellous in our eyes!"
A distinguished D. D. in Ohio recently attempted to justify slavery by the following summary process. Whether it exhibited to an enlightened audience more of a knave or a pair of long ears, is best known to themselves, perhaps a little of both.
"What is slaveholding? It is claiming a man's services in return for food, raiment, religious instruction and kind treatment, and no more."
Ah! doctor of dishonesty, the boys in your streets read better divinity than that in old spelling books and almanacs. I would ask this miserable spawn of pre-slavery divinity, where is your authority for compelling your brother man to wear his life out in your service on such terms? Show us the contract.—How much did he agree to allow you for your precious "religious instruction," and what his stipulated wages? and did he consent that you own and use him, as a horse, and steal and sell his children for money to clothe and educate your own children? Thou art a covetous and sordid robber and oppressor on thy own testimony, and worthy the scorn and contempt of all honest men.
Alas for such Doctors of Divinity, and a few other cotton divines and commercial divinities farther North. "O my soul, unto their assembly, mine honor, be not thou united."
Yours &c.,
R. S.
We should like to hear from R. S. often.—He wields a sharp stick.—Ed.