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They had found, in pursuing their careers of activism, that Americans very often did not believe reports about American slavery, even when such reports were available and copious. So they mounted an innovative book project. www.liberalcurrents.com/objections-c...

liberalcurrents.comObjections Considered: Objection I.—Such Cruelties Are IncredibleTo deny that cruelty is the spontaneous and uniform product of arbitrary power is to set at nought the combined experience of the human race.

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In the book they presented immense, credible evidence of the realities of slavery. The authors had gathered testimony by sending a form letter to potential witnesses. And, cleverly, they acquired Southern newspapers in bulk and searched them for statements and reports from slaveholders themselves.

liberalcurrents.comObjections Considered: Objection I.—Such Cruelties Are IncredibleTo deny that cruelty is the spontaneous and uniform product of arbitrary power is to set at nought the combined experience of the human race.

These painstaking, systematic efforts were not in vain. 'American Slavery As It Is' was a hit, of both the publishing and direct varieties, in 1839. Beyond its own sales, a decade later Harriet Beecher Stowe would, literally, lean on it—she kept it under her pillow while writing 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.'

liberalcurrents.comObjections Considered: Objection I.—Such Cruelties Are IncredibleTo deny that cruelty is the spontaneous and uniform product of arbitrary power is to set at nought the combined experience of the human race.

"The enormities inflicted by slaveholders upon their slaves will never be discredited except by those who overlook the simple fact, that he who holds human beings as his bona fide property, regards them as property, and not as persons; this is his permanent state of mind toward them."

"He does not contemplate slaves as human beings, consequently does not treat them as such; and with entire indifference sees them suffer privations and writhe under blows, which, if inflicted upon whites, would fill him with horror and indignation. He regards that as good treatment of slaves."