Meaning: The quote "We can constitutionally extirpate slavery at this time" is attributed to Robert Owen, a British social reformer and politician who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This quote reflects Owen's belief in the possibility and necessity of abolishing slavery through constitutional means. In order to understand the significance of this statement, it is important to consider the historical context in which it was made, as well as the broader implications of the idea of "constitutionally extirpating slavery."

Robert Owen was a prominent figure in the early labor movement and a vocal advocate for social and economic reform. He is best known for his efforts to improve the living and working conditions of workers in industrialized Britain, as well as his support for the establishment of cooperative communities based on principles of mutual aid and collective ownership. Owen's ideas were deeply influenced by the Enlightenment ideals of liberty, equality, and human rights, and he was a staunch opponent of systems of exploitation and oppression such as slavery.

During Owen's lifetime, the institution of slavery was a pervasive and deeply entrenched practice in many parts of the world, including the United States and various European colonies. The transatlantic slave trade had brought millions of Africans to the Americas, where they were subjected to brutal and dehumanizing conditions as chattel slaves. The abolition of slavery was a contentious and divisive issue, with powerful economic and political interests aligned both in support of and in opposition to the institution.

Owen's statement that "We can constitutionally extirpate slavery at this time" reflects his belief that the legal and political framework of a society can be used to bring about the end of slavery. This assertion is significant in several ways. Firstly, it underscores Owen's commitment to effecting change through peaceful and lawful means, rather than through violence or upheaval. In this sense, Owen's position aligns with the principles of constitutionalism and the rule of law, suggesting that the abolition of slavery should be pursued within the existing legal and political structures of society.

Secondly, the statement implies a sense of urgency – "at this time" – suggesting that the moment is ripe for taking decisive action against slavery. Owen may have been responding to contemporary events or developments that indicated a shifting tide of public opinion or political will regarding the abolition of slavery. Alternatively, he might have been expressing his belief that the moral and practical imperatives of ending slavery were too pressing to be delayed or deferred.

From a historical perspective, it is worth noting that Owen's advocacy for the constitutional extirpation of slavery predated significant milestones in the global movement to abolish the slave trade and slavery itself. The transatlantic slave trade was officially abolished in the British Empire in 1807, and slavery was abolished throughout the empire in 1833. In the United States, the abolitionist movement gained momentum throughout the 19th century, culminating in the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 and the eventual passage of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which formally abolished slavery in 1865.

Owen's quote can be seen as a prescient and impassioned call for the pursuit of justice and human rights within the framework of constitutional governance. It reflects the ongoing struggle to confront and redress the legacies of slavery and oppression, as well as the enduring relevance of constitutional principles in the pursuit of social and political change. In this sense, Owen's words continue to resonate as a reminder of the imperative to confront and overcome injustice through peaceful and lawful means, even in the face of entrenched and formidable systems of exploitation and inequality.

In conclusion, Robert Owen's statement "We can constitutionally extirpate slavery at this time" encapsulates his belief in the possibility of using constitutional means to abolish slavery, as well as the urgency of taking action to address this grave injustice. It underscores the enduring relevance of constitutional principles and the rule of law in the pursuit of social and political change, and it serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle to confront and redress the legacies of slavery and oppression.