DOC The Tonawanda Senecas' Heroic Battle Against Removal: Conservative Activist Indians (Excelsior Editions) by Laurence M. Hauptman in History

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Excerpt from American Slavery as It Is: Testimony of a Thousand WitnessesReader; you are empannelled as a juror to try a plain case and bring in an honest verdict. The question at issue is not one of law; but of fact - "What is the actual condition of the slaves in the United States?" A plainer case never went to a jury. Look at it. Twenty-seven hundred thousand persons in this country; men; women; and children; are in slavery. Is slavery; as a condition for human beings; good; bad; or indifferent? We submit the question without argument. You have common sense; and conscience; and a human heart; - pronounce upon it. You have a wife; or a husband; a child; a father; a mother; a brother or a sister - make the case your own; make it theirs; and bring in your verdict. The case of Human Rights against Slavery has been adjudicated in the court of conscience times innumerable. The same verdict has always been rendered - "Guilty;" the same sentence has always been pronounced; "Let it be accursed;" and human nature; with her million echoes; has rung it round the world in every language under heaven; "Let it be accursed. Let it be accursed." His heart is false to human nature; who will not say "Amen." There is not a man on earth who does not believe that slavery is a curse. Human beings may be inconsistent; but human nature is true to herself. She has uttered her testimony against slavery with a shriek ever since the monster was begotten; and till it perishes amidst the execrations of the universe; she will traverse the world on its track; dealing her bolts upon its head; and dashing against it her condemning brand. We repeat it; every man knows that slavery is a curse. Whoever denies this; his lips libel his heart. Try him; clank the chains in his ears; and tell him they are for him. Give him an hour to prepare his wife and children for a life of slavery. Bid him make haste and get ready their necks for the yoke; and their wrists for the coffle chains; then look a…