Town Hall Reaction:

The Town Hall was abuzz today with multiple voices persuading towards both the pro and anti slavery causes. 

Most of the pro-slavery arguments were economically driven. The slave owners like Jefferson, Davis, Calhoun, and Washington. The economy of the nation is intrinsically tied to farming and the plantations cannot function without the slave workers. Most people on this side
tended to believe that slavery also provides economic, and social protection it provides. It gives them purpose, shelter, and economic stability and it also enforces a social hierarchy. In this way, it is a necessity. 

There were a few Constitutional arguments, with Daniel Webster claiming that under the necessary and proper clause, Congress could enforce slavery and laws such as the Fugitive Slave Law. John C. Calhoun even argued that the South can nullify any law that the government enacts regarding slavery that the south deems unconstitutional. 

John Breckinridge had a very interesting viewpoint, claiming that according to the First and Thirteenth amendments, it is within his rights as a free man own slaves.  The Bible has multiple verses that say slavery is okay, and thusly the government cannot restrict it because it is a facet of religion. In fact, slave owners are saving the souls of slaves by baptizing them in the faith. The 13th amendment even, allows slavery in cases of "voluntary servitude" and "crime and punishment", according to Breckenridge. 

The abolitionist voices on the other hand, claim that slavery is not a political, but a moral issue. Even the Grimke sisters, who grew up on a plantation, were staunch abolitionists because they witnessed firsthand the brutality against the slaves. Slaves were treated as possessions, and the slave owners could only be persuaded through violence and bloodshed to stop, according to John Brown's extreme stance. 

Slavery is said to be an evil created by men and is very un-Godly. According the Constitution, all men are created equal, not just all white men. Many abolitionists pointed out that slavery was staunchly against this principle outlined in the Declaration of Independence. William Lloyd Garrison mentioned the lack of social equity and the principles he fights for in his newspaper: The Liberator.

I think Abe Lincoln put it best though, when he said that to not allow African Americans their place in society, is to put our country behind in innovation, and be close minded to the possible contributions that African Americans can make. It has been said that only an unenlightened man is afraid of change, and it is clear from the Town Hall meeting today that it is time for our country to make a radical change.