Morse, Samuel Finley Breese (1791-1872) [Introductory address to American Society for Promotion of National Unity]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05350 Author/Creator: Morse, Samuel Finley Breese (1791-1872) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph manuscript Date: circa 1861 Pagination: 2 p. ; 20.2 x 12.7 cm Order a Copy
Morse, president of the society, introduces Rabbi Morris Jacob Raphall. Discusses "Whether Slavery, or the condition of being held in subjection to the will of another, is a divine institution, sanctioned by laws & commands, and regulated from the earliest times or whether it is forbidden as a sin, as a violation of the laws of God... Until this point is satisfactorily settled we cannot reach the expediency or inexpediency, the advantage or disadvantage of this system of servitude." Circa date based on the publication of Raphall's speech, "The Bible View of Slavery."
The American Society for the Promotion of National Unity was a pro-slavery organization. Raphall argued that slavery was consistent with the Hebrew servitude of the Old Testament.
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