Las Casas Arguments Of Sepulveda

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The second part of this document is Bartolome trying to refute Sepulveda’s argument of using violence to subjacent the Indians. Las Casas takes a very different approach by not seeking to match theology with Sepulveda, in denying that it is God’s will, rather he appeals to the King directly. His opening statement is really one big flattery. He mentions how the king has a, “generous spirit and with the wisdom implanted in you by Christ” his actions will be fair. He further states that he is writing to the king in Spanish where Sepulveda wrote in Latin. This latter claim is implying how much Las Cases knows it is really the King of Spain who dictates what happens in the New World and with the wisdom given to the King by God, he’ll make the …show more content…

Las Cases argues that if those outside of the faith see Spain engaging in this war, they will be seen as, “Christian men, forgetting Christian virtue” instead of the nation showing mercy. While Las Cases wants Spain to treat the natives with compassion, he knows this is not how he’ll win the dispute. He must frame his appeal in ways that flatter the King or positions that oppose Las Cases, will hurt the image of Spain and undermined the king’s rule. To prove this point, Las Cases says that while Sepulveda claims to be upholding the King’s rule, he actually, “tears to pieces and reduces your rights by presenting arguments that are partly foolish, partly false, and partly of the kind that have the least force.” His next move is to criticize the soldiers who have the evil intention of looting the native’s possessions and are not bound to pay restitutions. Furthermore, he says the soldiers hold no distinction between man, woman, and children and kill all without a thought as no punishment is given, “What will they not do if they hear that there is a man teaching that they are consecrating their hands to God when they crush the Indians with massacres…” They kill and take and justify their actions because some theologian says it is okay since the natives are heathens and God wills

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