In both arguments supplied by George Fitzhugh and James Henry Hammond in the assigned reading I disagree with the reasoning, but agree with some of the observational points made by James Henry Hammond.
In the "Universal law of Slavery" by George Fitzhugh, it is stated, "The negroe race is inferior to the white race." This belief was critical as a facet of justifying slavery especially in the manner that Fitzhugh pleads his case, describing the slaves as better off than they would be without slavery and better off the the free laborer. In "Give me Liberty, an American history" Eric Foner quotes Frdrick Douglass as saying "He who has endured te cruel pangs of slavery, is the man to advocate liberty," so in essence slavery itself causes the search for liberty and freedom, considered in the constitution to be one in the same. I think the whole endeavor was proved to be a selfish discussion to necessitate slavery and that Fitzhugh sums up the argument poinently by proclaiming white men "lives by mere exploitations." and article that suports that is inately false.
In "The Mudsill theory" by James Henry Hammond, Hammond states, "All social systems require a class to do menial duties, such a class you must have, or you would not have the other class to lead progress, civilazation and refinement." This seems to be true then and now, Hammond was describing the relationsship between whites and slaves, now however is it not Americans and the imigrant labor force that is compensated poorly? Indeed social systems need these classes however now the big difference is the choice to be who you are rather than the inheritance or bias of slavery being pushed upon you by the American upper classes. Witht htis though however do we believe the underpaid, non insurer, unable to vote migrant worker has liberty?
It seems backwards and crude to try to listen t these to arguments in favor or such a tragedy as slavery in the hopes of justifying its existence.
Works cited
"The Mudsill theory" by James Henry Hammond, speech to senate, March 4th, 1858
Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. New York: W.W. Norton & Company Inc., 2009.
"Universal law of Slavery" by George Fitzhugh
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I enjoyed reading your blog post. You wrote what you say in this post first so I could get your idea easily and I agree with you. What Fitzhugh said in the "Universal law of Slavery" was the idea from Whites. It seems like he wants white people to take care of Black people, but he just treat blacks as child. He thought Black people were inferior to whites.
ReplyDeleteI actually think that he made a good point in some way. He thought blacks were like kids. Kids are illiterates, but They can glow up, and can be smarter than their parents. So, Blacks were illiterate at the time they were slaves, but through education, they grew up and they proved they are as smart as whites.
In some way, Black people were children who were able to grow a lot.
Emi Ino