CHAPTER XXVII. THE TRIAL.

stotheparent,theguardian,andthemaster,therightofenforcingobediencebychastisementandthereasonforitis,thatthesubjectbeingsupposedtobeimperfectlydeveloped,hisgoodwill,onthewhole,bebetterconsultedbyallowingtohislawfulguardianthispower." "Thegoodofthesubject,"hesaid,"isunderstoodtobethefoundationoftherightbut,whenchastisementisinflictedwithoutjustcause,andinamannersoinconsiderateandbrutalastoendangerthesafetyandwell-beingofthesubject,thegreatfoundationprincipleofthelawisviolated.Theactbecomesperfectlylawless,andasincapableoflegaldefenceasitisabhorrenttoeverysentimentofhumanityandjustice." "Heshouldendeavortoshow,"hesaid,"byfulltestimony,thatthecaseinquestionwasoneofthissort." InexaminingwitnessesClaytonshowedgreatdignityandacuteness,andasthefeelingofthecourtwasalreadyprepossessedinhisfavor,thecauseevidentlygatheredstrengthasitwenton.Thetestimonyshowed,inthemostconclusivemanner,thegeneralexcellenceofMilly'scharacter,andtheutterbrutalityoftheoutragewhichhadbeencommitteduponher.Inhisconcludingremarks,Claytonaddressedthejuryinatoneofgreatelevationandsolemnity,onthedutyofthosetowhomisintrustedtheguardianshipofthehelpless. "Noobligation,"hesaid,"canbestrongertoanhonorablemind,thantheobligationofentiredependence.Thefactthatahumanbeinghasnorefugefromourpower,noappealfromourdecisions,sofarfromleadingtocarelesssecurity,isoneofthestrongestpossiblemotivestocautionandtomostexactcare.TheAfricanrace,"hesaid,"hadbeenbittersufferers.Theirhistoryhadbeenoneofwrongandcruelty,painfultoeveryhonorablemind.Weofthepresentday,whosustaintherelationofslave-holder,"hesaid,"receivefromthehandsofourfathersanawfultrust.Irresponsiblepoweristhegreatesttrialofhumanity,andifwedonotstrictlyguardourownmoralpurityintheuseofit,weshalldegenerateintodespotsandtyrants.Noconsiderationcanjustifyusinholdingthispeopleinslaveryanhour,unlesswemakethisslaveryaguardianrelation,inwhichoursuperiorstrengthandintelligenceismadetheprotectorandeducatoroftheirsimplicityandweakness." "Theeyesoftheworldarefasteneduponus,"hesaid."Ourcontinuinginthispositionatallis,inmanyquarters,matterofsevereanimadversion.Letusthereforeshow,bythespiritinwhichweadministerourlaws,bytheimpartialitywithwhichweprotecttheirrights,thatthemasterofthehelplessAfricanishisbestandtruestfriend." Itwasevident,asClaytonspoke,thathecarriedthewholeofhisaudiencewithhim.Thecounselontheothersidefelthimselfmuchstraitened.Thereisverylittlepossibilityofeloquenceindefendingamanifestactoftyrannyandcrueltyandamanspeaks,also,atgreatdisadvantage,whonotonlyisfaint-heartedinhisowncause,butfeelstheforceofthewhol