The doctrine therefore, that moral evil is inherent in slavery is altogether fanciful and untenable

[W]e have shown that to say that moral evil is inherent in the moral constitution of man, is to assert a truism which none will care to deny. And we think we have also shown that to say that it is inherent in human conduct is an absurdity, because it would imply a foreknowledge of the future volitions of men, which none but deity can possess. The doctrine therefore, that moral evil is inherent in slavery is altogether fanciful and untenable. It may carry conviction when uttered from the platform, but cannot stand the searching investigation of the closet.
~ J.A.W. (July, 1854)