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The first steps of the slaveholder to justify by argument the…

Quote byJohn Quincy Adams · 1767–1848

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Letter to the 12th Congressional District (1839), As quoted in letter to the citizens of the twelfth congressional district (29 June 1839), The Hingham Patriot, MA. As quoted in Thomas Huges Rare and Early Newspaper catalog, No. 141.

English (original)

The first steps of the slaveholder to justify by argument the peculiar instutitions is to deny the self-evident truths of the Declaration of Independence. He denies that all men are created equal. He denies that he has inalienable rights.

— John Quincy Adams

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