George Fitzhugh

Personally, I think that Fitzhugh has a very interesting perspective. I am not saying that I agree with him, just that I think it is something very different and also intriguing. I completely understand where his ideas are coming from. The southern economy flourished during slavery, and has never been able to match its prosperity since. Obviously slavery is wrong and immoral, but looking at it from a completely economic standpoint, there were many benefits. Fitzhugh had a fascinating outlook that slavery should not have been about race, it should have been about economics.I think that fitzhugh was trying to say that the work needed to be done, regardless of who was doing it.

Fitzhugh viewed the south as a “mother figure.” This is understandable; the south was much more prosperous than other “countries” at that time, and Fitzhugh believed that was because of their view on slavery. Fitzhugh thought that other states should look to them for advice and guidance, like one would look to their mother. I think that another way to look at his calling the south “she” and “her” would be to make it appear more nurturing, also like a mother.

In Fitzhugh’s eyes, the south took care of their slaves, and thus flourished. “She flourishes like the bay tree, whilst Europe starves, and she is as remarkable for her exemption from crime as her freedom from poverty. She is by far, very far, the most prosperous and happy country in the world. Her jealous ad dependent rivals have begun to imitate her. They must soon openly approve her course in order to vindicate themselves (Fitzhugh). When, and only when Europe looks to the south for guidance, they could possibly flourish as well.