The Pros And Cons Of The Pro-Slavery

The pro-slavery and anti-slavery writers held different beliefs about whether slavery had positive or negative effects. Abraham Lincoln, elected for presidency in 1860, believed that the slaves were effected but not for the greater good, while James Hammond and George Fitzhugh argued that slaves learned how to be civilized. In 1858, Lincoln mocked slavery and stated that it “is good for some people…. Wolves devouring lambs, not because it is good for their own greedy maws, but because it [is] good for the lambs.” Black slaves owned by white people did not benefit like the lambs eaten by the wolves. Slaves were beaten and starved, which led to fear and depression. On the other hand, if a slave were to disobey his master, he would be punished …show more content…
John Calhoun was a former vice president years before the abolition of slavery. Since he was a high official, Calhoun wanted to preserve the Union by keeping slavery. He explained that abolishing slavery would conflict with the Union. In 1837, Calhoun declared that “abolition and the Union cannot coexist.” He believed that slaveholding “is instead an evil, a good - a positive good.” According to Calhoun, the slaves accomplished so much that you would not want to abolish slavery. Calhoun insisted that slavery is keeping the Union together because the work that slaves did was successful. William Garrison was a journalist, liberator, and an abolitionist. He wrote articles and letters on the idea of freedom and liberty. In 1832, William Garrison stated if the debate on ignoring slavery “will divide the Union…. Be assured that slavery will very speedily destroy this Union, if it be left alone; but even if the Union can be preserved, we say it is not worth a price like this”. Either way the people of the 19th century ignored this, the Union would be divided. Garrison brought up the topic of the Union that if the people at that time ignored it, then the situation would have been worse. The Union wanted to be united and in order to do that then the people of the Union must abolish slavery. In 1858 Abraham Lincoln stated that “slavery is not universally right, nor yet …show more content…
Thomas Dew was a son of a wealthy plantation owner. Since he had a father who owned a plantation influenced Thomas to side with slavery. In 1852 Thomas R. Dew declared that it was the power of God and that He created slaves. Dew wrote “The children of Israel themselves were slaveholders and were not condemned for it”. According to the Bible, slavery was not evil or a crime and slavery strengthens and weakens humanity. Dew believed that slavery in the South was not bad. Dew suggested that it was alright to have slaves due to the will of God. Harriet Tubman was a former slave orphan and experienced what it was like to be a slave. In 1861 Harriet Jacobs went to church on a Sabbath day. The Priest stated that “[slaves] were rebellious sinners. [Their] hearts were filled with all manner of evil. ‘Tis the devil who tempts you.” The priest continued on and stated that if slaves did something wrong and their masters did not see, God would punish anyone because He sees the slaves at all times. This goes back to how slaves were effected enormously from fear of punishment. According to the Priest, God wanted the slaves to obey their masters and Him. Nat Turner was a slave that led a rebellion. He learned his hatred of slavery through his mother’s beliefs. 1831 Nat Turner stated that it was his “object to carry terror and destruction wherever [he] went”. On May 12th of 1828, the