The Frederick Douglas Game: Alexis de Tocqueville

“Slavery, as we shall afterwards show, dishonors labor; it introduces idleness into society, and with idleness, ignorance and pride, luxury and distress. It enervates the powers of the mind, and benumbs the activity of man.” Slavery is the greatest threat to American stability. This same disease has also threatened my native country of France. However, unlike America, France in recent years has taken the initiative and cured this ailment. In 1804, France abolished slavery in her home territory. Unfortunately, slavery is still active in our colonies, however we are constantly making strives to remove it. Most recently in 1839, my colleges and I in France have made have made motions to remove slavery in our remaining colonies in addition to providing education and employment opportunities for the freed slaves.

If America does not take similar steps the argument over slavery in the Union will surely lead to violence. “The more or less distant but inevitable danger of a conflict between the blacks and whites of the south of the union is a nightmare constantly haunting the American imagination. If freedom is refused in the south in the end, they will seize it themselves; if it is granted to them, they will not be slow to abuse it.” Slavery is an abomination and should be abolished. Because not only is it a threat to the union it is immoral and brings out the worst of man.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01440398708574934?journalCode=fsla20

Tocqueville, Alexis de, 1805-1859. Democracy In America. New York :G. Dearborn & Co., 1838.