Free Produce Societies (Article)

Free Produce Societies (Article)

Having given in our last, extracts from the proceedings of the Free Produce Societies, we feel induced to throw some thoguhts, which have suggested themselves, before our readers.

Why do any say that abstinence from the products of slave-produce can effect nothing? Surely, they do not reflect; for in the first place, is it not something to the individual, to know that he has washed his hands of the guilt of oppression? That which is done intelligently and conscientiously, makes a better man; and as men become consistently better, their influence is extended--others observe the advantages they have from a rigid compliance with the requisitions of duty, and it is impossible but that they should desire those advantages for themselves--this desire very naturally will lead them, as it led those, to whose condition they aspire--for the peace here spoken of, is only to be had on the common terms--namely; to ascertain intrinsic right and conform to it. All truths are facts, or directly deduced from them. The sentiment just expressed, that the examples of the virtuous, though silent, and often unperceived, is nevertheless operative, is a well attested fact. To whose mind it was first suggested, that the consumer of the products of slave-labor was accessary to oppression, is not known; it is known, however, that but few years have elapsed since it claimed the attention of some isolated indivudals, who, however highly they ranked in other respects, had the lustre of their greatness obscured in the vision of their admirers, by this speck of innovation--this mist of enthusiastic, it may be, fanatic ccentricity. Now, hundreds bear the same testimony, and thousands have it under serious consideration. If, twenty years ago, the example of a conscientious man convinced his neighbor in a year--the two, each his man in the next, and so on, in a geometric series, whose annual ratio of progression is two, (and this it is believed existing associations will establish, up to this time) how long would it take to convince every one whose pecuniary interests are not opposed?

Let it not be inferred that there is any implied indifference to other modes of arresting the enormous evil of slavery; the distinct object of this article is to defend abstinence in those who practice it, and to recommend the propriety of it to the consideration of others.--ib

Liberator 1:36, p. 1