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] To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html