Should slavery be abolished?

OCR: 8 cited passage(s) are machine-read (OCR) text of old printings; quotations reproduce the stored OCR text, misreadings included.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• ACTION (undated): Benjamin Rush assisted in the institution of the society for the gradual abolition of slavery. "I assisted in the institution of societies to carry them into eflFect. I was likewise for a while an active member of several societies whose objects were altogether of a humane nature. They were the society for the gradual abolition of slavery;" [1]
• BELIEF (undated): Benjamin Rush endeavored to show the iniquity of the slave trade in his 'Address to the inhabitants of the British Colonies upon slave keeping,' which he published to aid a petition to increase the duty upon negro slaves imported into the province. This shows he believed slavery was morally wrong and should be opposed. (key quote above) [2]
• BELIEF (undated): Benjamin Rush believed that slavery should be abolished, as he expressed support for the law passed in Pennsylvania in 1780 to abolish slavery and for efforts to end the trade in human souls in Europe and to bring civilization to Africa. "when you hear of a law for abolishing slavery in each of the American states, such as was passed in Pennsylvania, in the year 1780; when you hear of the kings and queens of Europe, publishing edicts for abolishing the trade in human souls" [3]
• BELIEF (undated): Benjamin Rush believed that slavery should be abolished, as part of a broader vision of eliminating human evils through reason and philosophy. He argued that truths of philosophy and Christianity mutually support each other and that reason and religion must work together to reform society and promote happiness. (key quote above) [4]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Benjamin Rush believed that slavery should be abolished because it is contrary to the interests of society and the spirit of the gospel. He attributes the progress toward abolishing slavery to the influence of Christianity. [5]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Benjamin Rush believed that slavery should be abolished, as he expressed deep concern for the plight of enslaved people and condemned the actions of white people in enslaving them. He viewed the suffering of enslaved people as a moral wrong. (key quote above) [6]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Benjamin Rush believed that slavery should be abolished, as he was 'the pioneer of that war, which has since been carried on, so successfully, against the commerce and slavery of the negroes.' "He was the pioneer of that war, which has since been carried on, so successfully, against the commerce and slavery of the negroes." [7]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Benjamin Rush believed that Mr. Lay's treatise contained strong expressions against negro slavery, indicating his opposition to slavery. "This book contained many pious sentiments, and strong expressions against negro slavery ;" [8]
• ACTION (undated; OCR of an old printing): Benjamin Rush recounted the story of a gentleman who bought a slave at a public sale and immediately declared him to be a free man. This action suggests that Rush supported the abolition of slavery, at least in principle, as he presented it as an example of moral action. "A gentleman, who attended the sale, was so affected with the situation, and so pleased with the countenance of the slave, that he bought him, and immediately afterwards declared him to be a free-man." [9]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Benjamin Rush believed that slavery should be abolished because of the debilitating effects of inactivity and confinement upon the understanding and passions. "From his knowledge of the debilitating effects of inactivity and confinement upon the understanding and passions, he will be an enemy to slavery and a friend to liberty;" [10]

What cuts against it

• Nothing in the passages cuts against the answer. All relevant passages support the position that Benjamin Rush believed slavery should be abolished.

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. Benjamin Rush believed that slavery was morally wrong and should be opposed, as shown in his "Address to the inhabitants of the British Colonies upon slave keeping," [2] where he endeavored to show the iniquity of the slave trade [2].

2. He was an active participant in the movement to abolish slavery, assisting in the institution of the society for the gradual abolition of slavery [1].

3. Rush attributed the progress toward abolishing slavery to the influence of Christianity, which he believed had depolished the power of masters over the lives of their slaves and reduced the horrors of war [5].

4. He expressed deep concern for the plight of enslaved people, condemning the actions of white people in enslaving them and viewing the suffering of enslaved people as a moral wrong [6].

5. Rush believed that slavery should be abolished as part of a broader vision of eliminating human evils through reason and philosophy, arguing that truths of philosophy and Christianity must work together to reform society and promote happiness [4].

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: DIRECT

Extrapolation: Benjamin Rush believed slavery should be abolished. He viewed it as a moral wrong, condemned the slave trade, and actively participated in efforts to end it. He attributed the progress toward abolition to the influence of Christianity and the power of reason and philosophy to reform society.

Competing readings: None.

Confidence: High, based on direct statements and actions in the record.