If the Southern slaves were freed, struggling farmers like Bly would be forced to compete with the free blacks for paltry earnings, for sales, for sustenance. With slavery intact, at least there was one class of people at whom individuals like Bly could thumb their noses. It was no wonder Bly would be so vocal about Douglas’s suspicious activities. Alleged activities, he reminded himself.
It seems at one time or another we turn to someone who is worse off than ourselves, maybe to feel better than where we are.
