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[Article] The abolitionists were right—and they were right not because they were on the right side of history but because they were on the right side of God.

Actually, not so much.

This argument is an appeal to force, fully formed. War => Victory = Righteousness.

The Abolitionists just said they were right, and as against their adversaries, they couldn't make their argument from exegesis, so they just said they were right, and pounded their interlocutors first with abuse and obloquy, and then with appeals to the sword.

William Wilberforce persuaded the British Parliament to pass a bill abolishing slavery, in a country where it wasn't that common. As a manufacturing practice, slavery is distinctly unhelpful to people trying to earn a wage and a move-up job; but the United States didn't abolish slavery for that reason, but because the war was the thing, not just to abolish slavery but to rewrite the Constitution and remove so many obstacles to the achievement of wealth beyond the dreams of avarice.

It's also worth noticing that many other countries followed England's example without a civil war.

I'm glad slavery is no longer current (but watch out for imports from countries that are again practicing slavery and debt bondage), since pay for work is fairer and more beneficial to the society at large; it would be hard to persuade young people in a society where slavery is common, that hard work is virtuous in and of itself and will be rewarded in the end. Slavery in the end, like "welfare", is a drag on the drive and virtuousness of young working people.

but the United States didn't abolish slavery for that reason, but because the war was the thing, not just to abolish slavery but to rewrite the Constitution and remove so many obstacles to the achievement of wealth beyond the dreams of avarice.

I am of the opinion that the United States abolished slavery for no other motive than revenge. They were upset that the Confederates had put up such a hard fight, and they wanted to punish them. They tagged on all those morality noises after the fact.

Had the Confederates quit fighting earlier, they would have been allowed to keep slavery. Because they didn't, they had to be punished.

I'm glad slavery is no longer current...

You joke. We still have it, it's just "kinder, gentler" slavery, and we don't call it that. The productive still feed and clothe the unproductive, Washington DC and the well connected still parties on our money, much of it is financed by debt, and many of the slaves that are going to have to pay for it, haven't been born yet.