“A false opinion, which contradicts common sense, contradicts all history, contradicts the Bible, has rooted itself into the Northern mind. It is taught in their schools and colleges; it is enforced in their pulpits; it is the Gospel of Northern fanaticism. – That false opinion is, that every man is born free and equal.”

“The larger class [of northerners], however, are for holding on to the Constitution . . . through the interference of Abolition emissaries, while no new States will be admitted but such as are free – and then, by a vote of Congress, their great idea will be carried out – universal emancipation will be declared. – Then every Negro in South Carolina, and in every other Southern State, will be his own master; nay, more than that, will be the equal of every one of you. If you are tame enough to submit, Abolition preachers will be at hand to consummate the marriage of your daughters to black husbands! Nay, nay! we beg pardon of South Carolina women for such a suggestion. If their fathers and their brothers have not the spirit to break loose from a government whose elected Chief Magistrate aims to establish such a state of things, the daughters of South Carolina would die for shame at the dishonor of the men.” Slaves have assented indirectly to their own enslavement through their petty wars in Africa, through their efforts to enslave others among their enemies, “and by the indulgence of barbarous principles.”

We detest Abolitionism because it trespasses upon our rights of conscience. It does not allow us to judge for ourself [sic] the morality of slaveholding. . . and it demands that we shall not obey the dictates of our own conscience, or else shall feel the weight of Northern displeasure. . . . An Abolitionist has vastly less regard of the slaveholder’s right of conscience, than a slaveholder has for the same right in his slave.”

And we abhor Abolitionism for its atrocious impiety. It stigmatizes as a gross sin what God guards in the very Decalogue as a sacred right. ‘Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s * * * man servant, nor his maid servant.’ It assumes to understand religious duty better than an inspired Apostle. He sent a runaway slave back to his master. The Abolitionists encourage him to run away. . . . The tirades against slaveholders -- not for the abuse of their relationships as masters, but for the relationship itself -- is an outrage on the authority of God’s word.”

"Men of Greenville, show yourselves men. Many of you are Baptists. They know the relation which the churches and associations sustain to each other. The churches are the smaller bodies, and the associations are the larger; yet the churches make the association, and if at any time an association should interfere with the rights of a church, that moment that Church would secede"

"Self-respect, honor, the safety of our wives, our children, and our slaves themselves, whose well being is inseparably connected with the welfare of their masters all conspire to urge you to sustain the State in the high position which, if she is true to herself, she must assume."

"As your fellow citizens, we shall be grievously disappointed if you do not make common cause with us. The negro is not your equal, unless the Bible be untrue, or you prove yourselves unworthy of the name of free men. The Abolitionists are not our masters, and though they have ‘assumed the Government,’ yet they cannot exercise it over you without your submission. Men of Greenville, will you submit?"

"You know and I know that left to themselves, our slaves are tractable, docile, and affectionate class of dependents. And yet this simple-minded people may be alienated from their master. What are the measures of precaution you have found yourselves bound to take?"

"Now suppose this [the end of slavery] accomplished. Four hundred thousand negroes turned loose. Fields uncultivated, barns empty, hordes of hungry marauders prowling over the country. Say nothing of the scenes brutal lust would lead.”

Masters do not have a moral or scriptural right to inflict cruel punishment or demand unreasonable services. And divine law commands that masters provide protection, conveniences, and necessities “proper to their condition as servants” and so far as he is able to afford them based on the slaves’ service.

Source: Furman University Special Collections and Archives, 2017