I cannot surrender my principles, though the whole world besides should vote them down - I can make no compromise between truth and error, even though my life be the alternative.
Elijah Parish LovejoyRead
Abolitionists believe that, as all men are born free, so all who are now held as slaves in this country were born free, and that they are slaves now is the sin, not of those who introduced the race into this country, but of those, and those alone, who now hold them and have held them in slavery from their birth.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that slavery is a moral wrongdoing against those who were born free, highlighting accountability for those who perpetuate it.
Elijah Parish Lovejoy's quote articulates the belief that all individuals are inherently born free and that the injustice of slavery lies not in the circumstances of its introduction but in the actions and choices of those who hold others in bondage. It underscores the moral responsibility of the oppressors in recognizing the inherent freedom of all people and the sinfulness of enslaving individuals who were born with the right to freedom.
Themes
SlaveryFreedomJusticeAccountabilityMorality
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about civil rights, one might quote this to emphasize moral accountability in perpetuating injustice.
More from Elijah Parish Lovejoy
All quotes →The cry of the oppressed has entered not only into my ears, but into my soul, so that while I live, I cannot hold my peace.
Elijah Parish LovejoyRead
The very flag of freedom that waves over our heads is formed from material cultivated by slaves, on soil moistened with their blood drawn from them by the whip of a republican taskmaster!
Elijah Parish LovejoyRead
It is not possible that one man can convert another into a piece of property, thus at once annihilating all his personal rights, without the most flagrant injustice and usurpation.
Elijah Parish LovejoyRead
I have sworn eternal opposition to slavery, and by the blessing of God, I will never go back.
Elijah Parish LovejoyRead
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