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Letter from Francis Wayland, Providence, [Rhode Island], to William Lloyd Garrison, 1831 Nov[ember] 1

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Title devised by cataloger.In this typed copy of a letter to William Lloyd Garrison, Francis Wayland explains his reasons for requesting Garrison stop sending him the Liberator. Wayland states that while he "believe[s] as strongly as any other man that slavery is very wicked," he does not think "that immediate emancipation of all the slaves in the U.S. would be either wise or just." He then argues that if "Immediate Emancipation" could be accomplished by "enlightening, convincing, and persuading the masters," then both he and "Christianity would approve." However, if immediate emancipation is accomplished by "exciting the slaves to rebllion, success can only be looked for after a most bloody war" that would be destructive to society. Wayland sees the Liberator as inciting slaves to revolt and "its attitude to the slave owners is menacing and vindictive." He reminds Garrison, "let us remember the Gospel teaches us forgiveness. Let us strive to do good to all men - masters as well as slaves."
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Correspondence
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