Thomas R. Dew's Defense Against Slavery

In Thomas R. Dew’s defense against slavery, he states what he believes to be his argument against why southerners believed slavery was okay for them. According to Thomas, he made three main points: Slavery wasn’t contrary to Christianity, Southern masters weren’t cruel, and slavery helped the slaves themselves. Thomas stated “Most positively that there is anything in the old or new testament that shows slavery went against Christianity.” He went on to show that the children of Israel were slaveholders themselves, and were not at all condemned. Next, he stated that the southern masters weren’t as cruel to their slaves as the northern ones were. So it was a reasoning as to why they wanted to have slavery. Lastly, Thomas used the point of seeing slave’s masters become successful would bring happiness to the slave who worked for him. Which is a really absurd statement to make. As masters would make their slaves go …show more content…
He goes to say that the white “superior” race needs a race that is inferior to it. One that is of lower intellect and in little skill. That it is a necessity to have one. So that a society and blossom and become successful and be able to live on for generations, and to prosper. He says that slaves are the key, so that they do the dirty work, and the white race does all the political work and government work. He goes to say that there are two types of slaves. One that is taken care of, given food, given aid, and is under care. The other is the ones that aren’t cared for. That aren’t fed or given a place to live. He says that is what distinguishes slaves. He goes to say that the Northern have given a bad name and reputation towards the word ‘slaves’. James tries to prove that the slaves from the south are all happy and content with what they have. He uses these reasons to help justify towards their view of slavery in the