The anti-slavery argument. Source 3 transcript

Are slaves more useful by being thus humbled to the condition of brutes, than they would be if suffered to enjoy the privileges of men? The freedom which diffuses health and prosperity throughout Britain answers you – No. When you make men slaves you deprive them of half their virtue, you set them in your own conduct an example of fraud, rapine, and cruelty, and compel them to live with you in a state of war; and yet you complain that they are nor honest or faithful! You stupify them with strips, and think it necessary to keep them in a state of ignorance; and yet you assert that they are incapable of learning; that their minds are such a barren soil or moor, that culture would be lost on them; and that they come from a climate, where nature, though prodigal of her bounties in a degree unknown to yourselves, has left man alone scant and unfinished, and incapable of enjoying the treasures she has poured out for him!- An assertion at once impious and absurd. Why do you use those instruments of torture? Are they fit to be applied by one rational being to another. And are ye not struck with shame and mortification, to see the partakers of your nature reduced so low? But, above all, are there no dangers attending this mode of treatment? Are you not hourly in dread of an insurrection? Nor would it be surprising: for when
“No peace is given
To us enslav’d, but custody severe;
And stripes and arbitrary punishment
Inflicted – What peace can we return?
But to our power, hostility and hate;
Untam’d reluctance, and revenge, though slow
Yet ever plotting how the conquerer least
May reap his conquest, and may least rejoice
In doing what we most in suffering feel.”
But by changing your conduct, and treating your slaves as men, every cause of fear would be banished. They would be faithful, honest, intelligent and vigorous; and peace, prosperity and happiness would attend you.

Simplified version
Are slaves more useful being treated as brutes than if they were treated as men? The freedom which gives health and prosperity to Britain answers you No. When you make men slaves you take away half their goodness, set them example of fraud, plunder and cruelty and make them live in a state of war, and yet you complain that they are not honest and faithful! You flog them and think it necessary to keep them in a state of ignorance and then say that they are incapable of learning - that their minds are such a barren soil that culture would be lost on them. ir minds are such a barren soil that culture would be lost on them. You say that they come from a climate where nature, so extravagant of her bounties, has left man unfinished and unable to enjoy the treasures she has poured out for him! An absurd assertion. Why do you use instruments of torture? Are they fit to be used on another rational being? Are you not ashamed to see people brought so low? Above all, can you not see the dangers associated with this behaviour? Are you not in hourly dread of an uprising? It would not be surprising - for when

"No peace is given,
To us enslav'd, but custody severe;
And stripes and arbitrary punishment
Inflicted – What peace can we return?
But to our power, hostility and hate;
Untam’d reluctance, and revenge, though slow
Yet ever plotting how the conquerer least
May reap his conquest, and may least rejoice
In doing what we most in suffering feel.”

But if you changed your behaviour and treated your slaves as men, there would be no reason to be afraid. They would be faithful, honest, intelligent and vigorous; and peace, prosperity and happiness would attend you."

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