Chapter 62: The South ramps up its defense of slavery as a “positive good.”

With few exceptions such as the Grimke sisters, southerners are unabashed in their support for slavery. Typical rationales include:

• The practice of slavery is sanctioned in the Bible;
• It is the Africans only chance to learn about Christianity and achieve salvation; and
• Their treatment is far better than whites trapped in northern factories and sweatshops.

Presbyterian minister James Henley Thornwell preaches these themes, earning his moniker as the “John Calhoun of the pulpit.” Although to his credit he insists on fair treatment and religious instruction.

Other pushback comes in the form of “Anti-Tom” novels featuring healthy and happy plantation life and the serious publication of a 512 page book, The Pro-Slavery Argument, featuring intellectuals like Thomas Dew, William Harper, Dr. William Simms and fire eater, James Henry Hammond.