The Problem of Slavery in Christian America: An Ethical-Judicial History of American Slavery and Racism

by Joel McDurmon

“A large portion of the Northern States believed slavery to be a sin [already in 1833], and would consider it as an obligation of conscience to abolish it if they should feel themselves in any degree responsible for its continuance.” The sons of this “fanatical portion of society” will grow up “to hate the people and institutions of nearly one-half of this Union, with a hatred more deadly than one hostile nation ever entertained towards another.” Indeed, “Abolition and the Union cannot co-exist.” Why not? Because, “The peculiar institution of the South” was “that, on the maintenance of which the very existence of the slaveholding South depends.” He continued in this vein: “We of the South will not, cannot surrender our institutions. To maintain the existing relations between the two races, inhabiting that section of the Union, is indispensable to the peace and happiness of both.”