The Opinion of Thomas Dew Against the Reality of Slavery The peculiar institution was one of the most malevolent realities of America’s history. Millions of Africans were unwillingly brought to the New World in order to be abused, starved, and worked to death, to serve the white man. However, many Americans living in the South did not see slavery as an immoral practice; rather, slavery was a way of life. Thomas Dew was one of many southerners that felt that slavery was a just practice. Dew’s beliefs went against the common dissenting opinion that slavery was unchristian and immoral. Dew defended slavery, by citing the Old and New Testament as well as the supposed joyous and grateful behavior of the slave population. It is known today, that
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However, Thomas Dew denied these claims, justifying his argument with the Old and New Testament. According to Dew, “we deny most positively, that there is anything in the Old or New Testament, which would go to show that slavery, when once introduced, ought at all events to be abrogated, or that the master commits any offense in holding slaves.” Dew’s main defense was that if slavery was not opposed by the Old nor the New Testament, it should not be considered an unchristian and immoral practice by Americans today. Dew also states, “the children of Israel themselves were slaveholders, and were not condemned for it… they were permitted expressly to purchase slaves.” Dew is reiterating his belief that slavery does not go against Christian values, which many southerners held near and dear to their hearts. Thomas Dew was convinced that slavery was not an unchristian institution by citing Jesus Christ’s actions by stating, “No one can read the New Testament without seeing and admiring that the meek and humble Savior of the World in no instance meddled with the established institutions of mankind.” It is clear that Dew believed that if Jesus Christ did not interfere with the institution of slavery, it was not anyone else’s right to abolish slavery during that time …show more content…
When Pembroke gave his account of being in the South for 15 days after a failed escape attempt, he stated, “I remained fifteen days in the South under chains, locked up by night. I ate and slept chained. I was kept so till my arms swelled and appetite gone.” Pembroke was clearly mistreated, as many slaves were, after being caught from trying to escape the South. Due to his many experiences and numerous times of being in the slave trade, Pembroke is able to contradict Dew’s belief that slaves were treated fairly. When regarding the treatment of slaves, Pembroke stated, “I have seen men working all day, day in and day out, with iron collars on their necks, and so locked up at night, getting a pound of corn bread and half a pound of meat. I would rather die the death of the righteous than be a slave.” Preferring death over any way of life sends the most powerful message to those who supported slavery, that slaves would rather die than continue their life under their masters. It is obvious that being overworked while wearing an iron collar while being malnourished, is beyond immoral, and utterly
However, Thomas Dew denied these claims, justifying his argument with the Old and New Testament. According to Dew, “we deny most positively, that there is anything in the Old or New Testament, which would go to show that slavery, when once introduced, ought at all events to be abrogated, or that the master commits any offense in holding slaves.” Dew’s main defense was that if slavery was not opposed by the Old nor the New Testament, it should not be considered an unchristian and immoral practice by Americans today. Dew also states, “the children of Israel themselves were slaveholders, and were not condemned for it… they were permitted expressly to purchase slaves.” Dew is reiterating his belief that slavery does not go against Christian values, which many southerners held near and dear to their hearts. Thomas Dew was convinced that slavery was not an unchristian institution by citing Jesus Christ’s actions by stating, “No one can read the New Testament without seeing and admiring that the meek and humble Savior of the World in no instance meddled with the established institutions of mankind.” It is clear that Dew believed that if Jesus Christ did not interfere with the institution of slavery, it was not anyone else’s right to abolish slavery during that time …show more content…
When Pembroke gave his account of being in the South for 15 days after a failed escape attempt, he stated, “I remained fifteen days in the South under chains, locked up by night. I ate and slept chained. I was kept so till my arms swelled and appetite gone.” Pembroke was clearly mistreated, as many slaves were, after being caught from trying to escape the South. Due to his many experiences and numerous times of being in the slave trade, Pembroke is able to contradict Dew’s belief that slaves were treated fairly. When regarding the treatment of slaves, Pembroke stated, “I have seen men working all day, day in and day out, with iron collars on their necks, and so locked up at night, getting a pound of corn bread and half a pound of meat. I would rather die the death of the righteous than be a slave.” Preferring death over any way of life sends the most powerful message to those who supported slavery, that slaves would rather die than continue their life under their masters. It is obvious that being overworked while wearing an iron collar while being malnourished, is beyond immoral, and utterly