John Bell Robinson, a White pro-slavery spokesperson, wrote the book Pictures of Slavery and Anti-Slavery: Advantages of Negro Slavery and the Benefits of Negro Freedom Morally, Socially, and Politically Considered in Pennsylvania in 1863.

Question

God himself has made them for usefulness as slaves, and requires us to employ them as such, and if we betray our trust, and throw them off on their own resources, we reconvert them into barbarians.

Our Heavenly Father has made us to rule, and the Negroes to serve, and if we . . . set aside his holy arrangements . . . and tamper with his laws, we shall be overthrown and eternally degraded, and perhaps made subjects of some other civilized nation. . . . If they could all be colonized on the coast of Africa, they would fall back into heathenism and barbarism in less than fifty years….
how do licons view on slavery compare with John Bell robertson

Answer 1

John Bell Robinson’s views on slavery, as expressed in his writings, reflect a pro-slavery, paternalistic ideology that posits the inherent superiority of white people and the supposed natural role of Black people as slaves. He argues that slavery is a divine institution ordained by God, and he believes that freeing enslaved people would lead to their degradation and a return to primitive states of existence. His perspective embodies the mindset that enslaved individuals were fundamentally incapable of self-governance or enlightenment without the guidance of white people.

In contrast, the views of abolitionists, such as individuals like Frederick Douglass or Harriet Beecher Stowe, emphasize the moral imperative to end slavery based on principles of equality, human rights, and the inherent dignity of all individuals regardless of race. These abolitionist thinkers counter the paternalistic arguments by asserting that enslaved individuals are fully human and deserving of the same rights and freedoms as any other person. They highlight the injustices and brutality of the institution of slavery and advocate for emancipation as a necessary step towards true justice and societal progress.

The key difference between Robinson's pro-slavery perspective and the views of abolitionists lies in their fundamental beliefs about humanity and equality. While Robinson sees the enslavement of Black people as divinely sanctioned and beneficial, abolitionists argue for the moral and ethical necessity of ending slavery, asserting that freedom and equality are inherent rights that should be afforded to all individuals.