"To reduce this claim of slavery to an absurdity, it is only necessary to add that there are only two states in which slaves are a majority, and not one in which the slaveholders are not a very disproportionate minority"
- William H. Seward
About this Quote
This quote by William H. Seward is a powerful statement against the claim of slavery. He is pointing out the absurdity of the claim by highlighting the reality that there are just two states in which slaves are a majority, and not one in which the slaveholders are not an extremely out of proportion minority. This implies that the claim of slavery is not only unjust, however also illogical. Seward is making the point that the claim of slavery is not just morally wrong, however likewise mathematically impossible. He is emphasizing the truth that the claim of slavery is not just unjust, but likewise unreasonable. Seward is making a strong argument against the claim of slavery and is highlighting the absurdity of the claim. He is making the point that the claim of slavery is not only morally wrong, however likewise mathematically difficult. This quote is a powerful declaration versus the claim of slavery and is a reminder of the injustice of the claim.
"The whole commerce between master and slave is a perpetual exercise of the most boisterous passions, the most unremitting despotism on the one part, and degrading submissions on the other. Our children see this, and learn to imitate it"