The Southern Argument for Slavery
Nellie Norton
Southern slaveholders often used biblical passages to justify slavery.
Those who defended slavery rose to the challenge set forth by the Abolitionists. The defenders of slavery included economics, history, religion, legality, social good, and even humanitarianism, to further their arguments.
Defenders of slavery argued that the sudden end to the slave economy would have had a profound and killing economic impact in the South where reliance on slave labor was the foundation of their economy. The cotton economy would collapse. The tobacco crop would dry in the fields. Rice would cease being profitable.
Defenders of slavery argued that if all the slaves were freed, there would be widespread unemployment and chaos. This would lead to uprisings, bloodshed, and anarchy. They pointed to the mob's "rule of terror" during the French Revolution and argued for the continuation of the status quo, which was providing for affluence and stability for the slaveholding class and for all free people who enjoyed the bounty of the slave society.
The Negro's Place in Nature
Some slaveholders believed that African Americans were biologically inferior to their masters. During the 1800s, this arguement was taken quite seriously, even in scientific circles.
Defenders of slavery argued that slavery had existed throughout history and was the natural state of mankind. The Greeks had slaves, the Romans had slaves, and the English had slavery until very recently.
Defenders of slavery noted that in the Bible, Abraham had slaves. They point to the Ten Commandments, noting that "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, ... nor his manservant, nor his maidservant." In the New Testament, Paul returned a runaway slave, Philemon, to his master, and, although slavery was widespread throughout the Roman world, Jesus never spoke out against it.
Defenders of slavery turned to the courts, who had ruled, with the Dred Scott Decision, that all blacks — not just slaves — had no legal standing as persons in our courts — they were property, and the Constitution protected slave-holders' rights to their property.
Defenders of slavery argued that the institution was divine, and that it brought Christianity to the heathen from across the ocean. Slavery was, according to this argument, a good thing for the enslaved. John C. Calhoun said, "Never before has the black race of Central Africa, from the dawn of history to the present day, attained a condition so civilized and so improved, not only physically, but morally and intellectually."
Defenders of slavery argued that by comparison with the poor of Europe and the workers in the Northern states, that slaves were better cared for. They said that their owners would protect and assist them when they were sick and aged, unlike those who, once fired from their work, were left to fend helplessly for themselves.
JAMES THORNWELL, a minister, wrote in 1860, "The parties in this conflict are not merely Abolitionists and slaveholders, they are Atheists, Socialists, Communists, Red Republicans, Jacobins on the one side and the friends of order and regulated freedom on the other."
Nat Turner's revolt
The violence of Nat Turner's 1831 slave revolt frightened many southern slaveholders. Such unrest was used by many as a reason to continue slavery.
When a society forms around any institution, as the South did around slavery, it will formulate a set of arguments to support it. The Southerners held ever firmer to their arguments as the political tensions in the country drew us ever closer to the Civil War.
The Southern argument for slavery was deeply ingrained in the culture and economy of the South, and defenders used a variety of arguments to justify the institution. From economic necessity to biblical support, defenders of slavery believed that the institution was not only justified but essential for the well-being of society.
While many of these arguments may seem outdated and morally reprehensible by today's standards, it is important to understand the historical context in which they were made. Slavery was a deeply entrenched institution in the South, and defenders of slavery were willing to go to great lengths to protect it.
Ultimately, the Southern argument for slavery was a complex and multifaceted one, shaped by a variety of factors including economic interests, cultural beliefs, and legal justifications. While we may look back on these arguments with horror and disbelief, it is crucial to remember that they played a significant role in shaping the society and politics of the time.
Arguments that support slavery
It is important to note that arguments supporting slavery are not morally or ethically acceptable, but for the purpose of historical reflection, here are some arguments that were used to support slavery in the past:
1. Economic Argument: One of the primary justifications for slavery was its economic benefits. Slave labor was seen as essential for the profitability of industries such as agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. Slaveholders argued that without the forced labor of slaves, certain industries would not be viable or profitable.
2. Social Order Argument: Proponents of slavery argued that it was necessary for maintaining social order and stability. They believed that the institution of slavery helped to prevent social unrest and maintain a hierarchical society where everyone knew their place.
3. Racial Superiority Argument: Some supporters of slavery believed in the inherent superiority of the white race over people of African descent. They argued that African Americans were biologically inferior and therefore suited for servitude under white masters.
4. Biblical Justification: Many defenders of slavery used religious arguments to support the institution. They pointed to passages in the Bible that seemed to condone slavery and argued that it was a divine institution that was ordained by God.
5. Historical Precedent: Some supporters of slavery pointed to the long history of slavery throughout various civilizations and argued that it was a natural and inevitable part of human society.
It is crucial to remember that these arguments are morally abhorrent and have been thoroughly discredited. Despite the historical context in which these arguments were made, slavery is a fundamental violation of human rights and dignity.