Question

What argument does the author make in this excerpt from Cannibals All! Or, Slaves without Masters, written by George Fitzhugh in 1857?
It is impossible to place labor and capital in harmonious or friendly relations, except by the means of slavery, which identifies their interests. Would that gentleman lay his capital out in land and negroes, he might be sure, in whatever hands it came, that it would be employed to protect laborers, not to oppress them; for when slaves are worth near a thousand dollars a head, they will be carefully and well provided for. In any other investment he may make of it, it will be used as an engine to squeeze the largest amount of labor from the poor, for the least amount of allowance.

a.Compared to slaves, workers have a greater chance of protesting when they can't find employment.
b.Even though capitalists will squeeze value out of workers, laborers can protest for more rights.
c.Since slaves are valued by owners, slaves will be better cared for compared to poor workers.
d.In all social structures, all business is a form of slavery because it involves labor or money.

Answer 1

The argument is about placing labor and capital in harmonious or frendly relations exept by the means of slavery

Answer 2

The correct answer is C) Since slaves are valued by owners, slaves will better care for compared to poor workers.

The argument does the author make is that "since slaves are valued by owners, slaves will better care for compared to poor workers."

In 1857, George Fitzhugh wrote "Cannibals All! Or Slaves without Masters."

In the excerpt referred by this question, his argument is "Would that gentleman lay his capital out in land and negroes, he might be sure, in whatever hands it came, that it would be employed to protect laborers, not to oppress them; for when slaves are worth near a thousand dollars a head, they will be carefully and well provided for." So, for him, since slaves are valued by owners, slaves will better care for compared to poor workers.

George Fitzhugh (1806-1881) lived in Virginia. He was a supporter of slavery and wrote pamphlets, books, and participated in slavery debates with people from the Northern states.