Swarthout’s Reviews > American Slavery, American Freedom > Status Update

Slaves proved, in fact, less dangerous than free or semi-free laborers. They had none of the rising expectations that have so often prompted rebellion in human history. They were not armed and did not have to be armed. They were without hope and did not have to be given hope.

"The courts, for example, prescribed penances for couples who appeared with children too soon after marriage, requiring them in the traditional manner to appear at church the next Sunday dressed in white robes and carrying white wands"

"In boom country not everyone strikes it rich; and even those who come in from the hills with a pocketful of gold generally give it up in a hurry—for drink, for women, even for food and clothing at bonanza prices. Life is cheap, but nothing else is."