Perhaps what he meant was that ancient slavery was not that dissimilar
to the "short and brutish" lives of most people of that age. If an
Ancient Slave could rise to be a wealthy banker, this would indicate
that Ancient Slavery was not looked upon by Free Contemporaries as
something all that terrible or stigmatizing.

However, American slavery *was* different from the life of the typical
free person: it was hereditary, the slave had [almost] no civil or legal
rights, and it was based on the color of one's skin. And a slave, once
freed, did not become the equal of those around him. Indeed, the
presumption of the Courts was that *any* African American was a slave
unless he or she could prove the opposite.

Free laborers did *not* live a life of slavery.

In addition, where the Free states had, in the period after the
Revolution, and up to about 1810, done away with slavery, the Slave
States not only did not do away with it, to the contrary, the Slave
States strengthened the  institution and increasingly argued that
Slavery was a positive good for both whites *and* blacks.

"One good and wise feature in our new or revised constitution is, that
we have put to rest the vexed question of slavery forever, so far as the
confederate legislative halls are concerned. ... The condition of the
negro race amongst us presents a peculiar phase of republican
civilization and constitutional liberty. ...No truth is clearer than
that the best form or system of government for any people or society is
that which secures the greatest amount of happiness, not to the greatest
number, but to all the constituent elements of that society, community
or State. If our system does not accomplish this; if it is not the best
for the negro as well as for the white man; for the inferior as well as
the superior race, it is wrong in principle. But if it does, or is
capable of doing this, then it is right, and can never be successfully
assailed by reason or logic. That the negroes with us, under masters who
care for, provide for and protect them, are better off, and enjoy more
of the blessings of good government than their race does in any other
part of the world, statistics abundantly prove. As a race, the African
is inferior to the white man. Subordination to the white man is his
normal condition. He is not his equal by nature, and cannot be made so
by human laws or human institutions. Our system, therefore, so far as
regards this inferior race, rests upon this great immutable law of
nature. It is founded not upon wrong or injustice, but upon the eternal
fitness of things. Hence, its harmonious working for the benefit and
advantage of both."

Alexander Stephens to the Virginia Convention, April 23, 1861

"This is a world of compensations; and he who would be no slave, must
consent to have no slave. Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it
not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it."

Abraham Lincoln, April 6, 1859, letter to Henry Pierce, et al.




Take care,

Bob

Judy and Bob Huddleston
10643 Sperry Street
Northglenn, CO  80234-3612
303.451.6376  [log in to unmask]

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