John C Calhoun Slavery

Prior to and decades after the Civil War, slavery served as a contentious topic within the American rhetoric. In the early years of the United States, most viewed slavery as a necessary institution, commonplace in the American household. However, as time wore on the horrific realities of slavery became more and more evident. Many could no longer deny the brutality of such an established institution. Yet, many felt slavery held a very important place in the fabric of American society. The issue of slavery soon bitterly divided the nation, as both opponents and defenders passionately defended their respective stances. The principle types of theoretical arguments deployed by the defenders of slavery were that the institution itself is to woven …show more content…
In his Speech on the Reception of Abolitionist Petitions South Carolina senator John C. Calhoun argued that the institution of slavery is “so interwoven, that to destroy it would be to destroy us as a people.” Calhoun argued that slavery is as “positive good” that assisted in civilizing the “black race of Central Africa” both “morally and intellectually.” For African Americans, slavery served to improve their “degraded and savage condition” (p. 602). According to Calhoun, African Americans are naturally inferior in intellect and social standing, incapable of functioning within a civilized society. To abolish slavery would be to destroy the established, “safe” place of African Americans within the fabric of American society. Thus, without slavery the condition of living for African Americans would severely worsen as their intellectual and moral inferiority would make it impossible for their social adjustment among white civilized Americans. Slavery, therefore, serves as a necessary and good institution in order to properly facilitate the savage and primal African Americans within American …show more content…
Fitzhugh argues that slaves are “happy as a human being can be” since they are cared and accounted for by their master. Slaves are “well fed, well clad, and have plenty of fuel” as they are completely dependent upon their masters for survival. Similarly, there is “no rivalry” between “master and slave” nor is there rivalry among slaves for employment. Slaves are under the tyranny of their master and thus no competition exists, as the institution similarly gives no slaves advantages over the other thus eliminating any chance for a competitive occupational environment (p. 632). Without such an institution, slaves would be “borne down upon and oppressed” as they have no experience with any type of competitive atmosphere and would find such a society severely difficult to adjust to (p. 633). The trials of free laborers, such as wage strikes, unions, and riots are quelled by slavery as slaves are able to live under the care of their masters, immune to the hardships of free American. To abolish slavery would be to disrupt the peaceful and organized order of its institution, ultimately causing more hardship for African Americans born into such a such a structured lifestyle. If slavery were to be abolished, slaves would be forced to adjust to freedom after decades of a sheltered and cared for life under the supervision of a master. Such a change would thus negatively affect