Town Hall Reaction

 The Town Hall meeting today was met with the opposing sides of slavery. Both of the pro and anti-slavery arguments were presented by prominent figures and speakers which made this a truly captivating argument. 

The slave owners that were in favor of slavery mainly argued their point of views from an economic standpoint. The primary point being the fact that without slaves, the economy would collapse. Slavery was the only reason why the farming industry and plantations were so successful. In addition, it was said that slavery almost acted as a shield to those who were slaves. The slaves were given a stable life with a purpose, a place to sleep, and meals to eat. Slavery was argued as a necessity that benefits the slaves, the owners, the economy, and everyone else that is involved. Members of the meeting including Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun spoke to the constitutional side of slavery. Webster argued that although the Missouri Compromise was in place, which split the states into "free states" and "slave states," that there could be no loopholes for the slaves in the slave states to escape. This was backed by the Fugitive Slave Law Act which made it a requirement to return runaway slaves back to their proper owners in their home states. Bounties and "slave catchers" were also put into play to incentivize the cooperation of the public with the federal law. 

On the other hand, the anti-slavery side argued that slavery was not a political or economical argument, but rather an issue of morality. Slaves were treated as possessions and property and were stripped away of their humanity and basic rights as living beings. They were also unrightfully violated and punished by their owners. It was argued that slavery was evil and that if all men were created equal, as it says in The Bible, then all men should be treated with such equality...